Top Personal Support Worker Skills to Include in Your Resume (With Examples)

Why Personal Support Worker Skills Matter in a Resume

For Personal Support Workers, skills are the cornerstone of your professional identity. Employers look for a combination of hard skills and soft skills in resume candidates as these directly impact the quality of care provided. Demonstrating your key skills for Personal Support Worker resume not only validates your qualifications but also highlights your readiness to face diverse challenges in healthcare settings. Well-articulated skills sections improve resume screening outcomes by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), making it easier for recruiters to recognize your value.

1. Hard Skills for Resume

Hard skills for resume refer to the technical abilities and knowledge that are measurable and teachable. These are often acquired through formal education, certifications, and hands-on experience. For PSWs, hard skills illustrate your proficiency in medical procedures, patient care techniques, and use of relevant tools, which are indispensable for high-quality support work.

Essential Hard Skills

• Patient Hygiene and Personal Care
• Medication Administration
• Vital Signs Monitoring
• Assistance with Mobility and Transfers
• Basic First Aid and CPR Certification
• Documentation and Record-Keeping
• Use of Medical Equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers)
• Nutrition and Meal Preparation
• Infection Control Procedures
• Emergency Response Skills

2. Soft Skills for CV

Soft skills for CV emphasize the interpersonal attributes and emotional intelligence that enable Personal Support Workers to build trust, communicate effectively, and provide compassionate care. These skills help differentiate you from other candidates and demonstrate your ability to perform in real-world caregiving scenarios.

Key Soft Skills

• Empathy and Compassion
• Effective Communication
• Patience and Flexibility
• Attention to Detail
• Problem-Solving
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Time Management
• Conflict Resolution

3. List of Personal Support Worker Skills

Combining analytical, technical, process-oriented, leadership, and emerging skills into your resume paints a full picture of your capabilities as a Personal Support Worker.

Analytical & Strategic

• Critical Observation Skills
• Clinical Assessment
• Decision-Making in Emergencies

Technical & Development

• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Management
• Medical Equipment Proficiency
• CPR and Safety Protocol Updates

Product Delivery & Process

• Personalized Care Planning
• Medication and Treatment Administration
• Compliance with Health Regulations

Leadership & Communication

• Patient Advocacy
• Interdisciplinary Communication
• Conflict Management

Emerging / Modern Skills

• Telehealth Support Proficiency
• Digital Record-Keeping and Mobile Health Apps
• Cultural Competency in Diverse Patient Care

4. How to Showcase Personal Support Worker Skills

a. Integrate Skills

Integrate key skills naturally throughout your resume's summary, work experience, and skills sections. Use action verbs and specific examples that highlight how you applied both hard and soft skills effectively.

• Describe your duties emphasizing skills, e.g., “Utilized CPR skills to respond promptly to emergency situations.”
• Highlight measurable outcomes linked to your skills, e.g., “Reduced medication errors by maintaining meticulous documentation.”

b. Quantify Achievements

Quantify your achievements where possible. Numbers reflect your impact and make your skills credible, such as “Assisted 20+ patients daily with mobility and personal care, enhancing their quality of life.”

c. Tailor Skills

Customize your skills list for each job application based on the job description. Match your skills to the employer’s requirements to increase relevancy and ATS compatibility.

d. Add “Key Skills” Section

e. Include Tools & Certifications

Don’t forget to include relevant tools and certifications in your resume, such as CPR certification, EHR software experience, and any specialized training, reinforcing your professionalism.

5. Skills in Resume Sample

6. Best Skills by Industry

• Healthcare Facilities: Infection Control, Patient Mobility Assistance, Medical Documentation
• Home Care Services: Personal Hygiene Assistance, Nutrition Support, Empathy
• Long-Term Care Homes: Medication Management, Team Coordination, Patience
• Hospice Care: Emotional Support, Pain Management Assistance, Communication

7. Emerging Personal Support Worker Skills

The healthcare field is continuously evolving, and PSWs should consider developing emerging skills to stay ahead.

• Telehealth and Remote Monitoring Support
• Data Privacy and HIPAA Compliance
• Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity Training
• Use of Mobile Health (mHealth) Apps
• Mental Health First Aid

Conclusion

Highlighting the right mix of hard skills for resume and soft skills for CV can significantly boost your appeal as a Personal Support Worker. By listing key skills for Personal Support Worker resume clearly and backing them with examples and quantifiable achievements, you increase your chances of passing automated screenings and impressing hiring managers. Additionally, staying updated with emerging skills will enhance your professional growth and employability in a competitive healthcare environment.