Advanced Palliative Practice Skills (APPS)

This course is for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) or Health Care Aides (HCA) who have completed the Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care course and would like to build more skills in providing palliative and end-of-life care.

Course Overview

Following active participation in the APPS Course, you will be able to:

  • Build on your understanding of the important role PSWs/HCAs play in providing palliative care
  • Strengthen your self-awareness when caring for people and their care partners
  • Deepen your understanding of loss and grief
  • Build skills and strategies to help manage common symptoms at end-of-life
  • Build confidence in providing comfort and support for people who are dying
  • Explore ethical questions that can arise near end-of-life
  • Contribute more fully to teamwork and shared care
  • Strengthen your own self-care and resilience in this work

Why Take the APPS Course?

This course helps you meet the palliative care competencies for PSWs outlined by the Ontario Palliative Care Competency Framework and Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Competency Framework. It also supports confidence and comfort in providing compassionate care.

Eligibility

  • Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care course completed within the last 5 years
  • After registering, please email your certificate to: [email protected]

    Course Format

    To receive a Certificate of Completion, you must:

    • Complete all 8 online modules before the live online session
      • Module 1: Laying the Foundation 
      • Module 2: Roles in Caregiving: Therapeutic Communication & Self-Care
      • Module 3: Considering Advance Care Planning, Ethics, Loss & Grief 
      • Module 4: Tools for Symptom Management 
      • Module 5: Pain  
      • Module 6: Psychosocial/Spiritual Issues 
      • Module 7: Skin Care and the Dying Process
      • Module 8: After Death Care & Bereavement 
    • Take part in interactive activities and case studies 
    • Complete the self-checks & quizzes 
    • Attend and participate in the live online Case-Based Learning Session (Note: participation includes small group discussions)

      Course Access: You will receive a welcome email one week before the course starts with login instructions. If you do not receive it, please contact the Admin Assistant at 905-827-8111.

      Technology Needed: Course modules are online (D2L Brightspace Learning Environment). You will need access to a computer, tablet or smart phone with internet, microphone and camera. If this is a barrier, please let us know – we are here to help.

      The deadline for registration and refund is January 5, 2026

      Download PDF Flyer

      Register
      Course ComponentDates & Times
      Course Modules OpenMonday, January 12, 2026
      Live Online Case-Based
      Learning Session      		Tuesday, March 10, 2026
      – 6:00 – 8:30pm

      Cost

      $40.00

      Contact Information

      JC Sagar, 905-827-8111 or 1-800-426-9666 x2510