Author: Victoria Miron Vranic

The PREP LTC preceptor eLearning Course is a self-directed online learning solution consisting of eight interactive eLearning modules. Each module takes about 40 – 90 minutes to complete totalling seven hours of learning. The modules include downloadable resources, learning exercises and interviews with experts, which help LTC homes build positive placement experiences with PSW and nursing students as well as IENs.

Backfill pay

PREP LTC will cover the backfill costs of team members acting in preceptor roles. Backfill payments are for completing all eight modules of the PREP LTC eCourse through the eLearning Hub. Backfill pay is $25 per hour x 7 hours = $175 per team member.

Backfill support is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify for backfill, LTC homes can enroll in PREP LTC by visiting clri-prepltc.ca/funding. To learn more about and enroll in the free course, visit clri-prepltc.ca/education.

Acknowledgements
The PREP LTC eLearning Course was developed by the Ontario CLRI at Baycrest and is built on the success of the ministry-funded Preceptor Education Program (PEP) in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario and with Fanshawe College School of Nursing.

PREP LTC is led by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in collaboration with the Ontario CLRI teams at Baycrest Health Sciences and Bruyère. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Province.

The Preceptor Resource and Education Program in Long-Term Care (PREP LTC) opened the next round of enrollment to help build a skilled long-term care (LTC) workforce and support homes across Ontario with funding from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

The PREP LTC initiative supports LTC homes by building or expanding clinical student placement programs, providing online education and support for preceptors and students and developing resources to support positive, successful student placements.

By enrolling in PREP LTC, LTC homes will have access to:

• support from engagement teams.
• assessment of needs and barriers.
• support with placement coordination. connections with post-secondary schools.
• tools, resources and templates.
• preceptor education.
• funding to backfill preceptor time.

LTC homes can now enroll to get access to preceptor education, resources, funding and support in building and expanding positive and successful student placement programs. Homes enroll and have their students register in PREP LTC to receive funding for clinical student placements ending between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Eligible LTC homes:

•  will receive $2,000 per personal support worker (PSW) student placement.
•  will receive $3,600 per nursing (PN, BScN) student and internationally educated nurse (IEN) placement.
•  can receive $40,000 or more in funding depending on the total number of student placements registered in Ontario. By registering all student placements, homes have the potential to receive additional funds (above $40,000) once registration closes.
•  registering less than $40,000 in placements will receive the amount they claim.
•  have until March 31st, 2023, to spend the funds.

More than 200 homes enrolled to receive funding for more than 3,000 student placements in 2021-22. If your home enrolled for funding last time, sign up again for year two. If your home is enrolling for the first time, or if you didn’t receive funding in 2021-22, we can support you in accessing funding in 2022-23.

Visit clri-prepltc.ca to enroll.

PREP LTC is led by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in collaboration with the Ontario CLRI teams at Baycrest Health Sciences and Bruyère. The views expressed herein are the views of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Baycrest Health Sciences and Bruyère and do not necessarily reflect those of the Province.

Long-term care team members in Ontario will have access to diversified education offerings that respond to the sector’s needs and capacity as the Ontario CLRI at the RIA expands training options through the Personal Support Worker Education Fund in Long-Term Care. The Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care funds the training.

“The PSW Education Fund enhances continuing education for personal support workers—as well as other team members and leaders—in the long-term care sector. Through developing and fostering a skilled workforce, the quality of life for residents is enhanced,” says Tina Mah, executive director of the RIA.

In its fifth year of operation, the fund provides long-term care homes with tuition and backfill for their team members to participate in skill-building education that fulfills the newly implemented requirements outlined in the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 by improving staffing and care to protect residents.

Continuing to diversify the education offerings ensures team members learn practical skills in person-centred care, infection control, supporting residents living with dementia and mental health awareness and resilience training.

This year, the fund will support

• Excellence in Resident-Centred Care (ERCC)
• LIVING the Dementia Journey (LDJ)
• The Working Mind (TWM) Healthcare
• Learning Inter-Professionally Healthcare Accelerator (LIPHA)

ERCC provides team members with practical skills in resident-centred care. The virtual education offered through the fund includes seven modules: person-centred care, infection control, safety and mobility, self-care, working with others and nutrition. This course increases team members’ self-confidence, job satisfaction and morale. Conestoga College and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging co-developed ERCC.

LDJ is an award-winning, evidence-informed training program for those who support people living with dementia. Participants gain awareness and understanding that changes not only the way they view dementia but the way they support people living with it. The RIA’s Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program created LDJ in collaboration with people living with dementia and their care partners.

TWM Healthcare is an evidence-based course that gives those in healthcare the tools to promote mental health in the workplace while also reducing the stigma of mental illness. TWM provides training to participants through three core modules, plus a fourth module for leaders. The Working Mind (TWM) is part of the Opening Minds initiative, managed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Launched by MHCC in 2013, TWM was developed by clinicians and peers and based on scientific research and best practices.

LIPHA is a simulation, coaching and community platform based on the latest practice recommendations. It provides a virtual space with simulated cases, and a serious educational game for teams to practice care with virtual patients or residents. This initiative is led by the Ontario CLRI at Baycrest and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation with support from Launch 57 and the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest.

Long-term care homes can begin enrolling online for select virtual training options on August 10, 2022. Watch for announcements of other program training dates in the coming weeks.

The PSW Education Fund started in 2017 with more than 18,000 personal support workers and other team members receiving training in long-term care homes across the province.

Learn more about the fund, or enroll online by visiting the PSW Education Fund website.