Final answer:
Personal Support Workers are not self-regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act of 1991 and do not have a regulatory college. Their scope of practice includes a variety of care tasks and can differ based on the work environment, with vocational standards guiding their responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is Personal Support Worker Profession Self-Regulated under the RHPA?
The profession of Personal Support Worker (PSW) is not self-regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) of 1991. The RHPA establishes health profession colleges, which regulate the practices of health care professionals in Ontario, Canada. PSWs do not belong to a regulated body under this act, and hence, there is no specific regulatory college that governs their certification or conduct standards.
Practitioner's Scope of Practice
The scope of practice for a Personal Support Worker generally includes providing care for patients that can involve personal hygiene, mobility assistance, and helping with daily living activities. The exact scope of practice can vary depending on the employment setting, such as in private homes, long-term care facilities, or hospitals. Despite the lack of formal regulation, there are vocational standards and training programs that define the competencies and responsibilities expected of PSWs.