Personal / Home Care Aide Program

Program Hours: 40 hours
Program Delivery: 32 hours of online or classroom + 8 hours of skill lab practice on Campus
This program has been developed by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to establish a uniform training curriculum. Its purpose is to train and teach qualified persons to provide personal care services under Medicaid Waivers. DMAS hopes that this program will assist in recruiting and retaining qualified personal care aides.
The program prepares the Personal Care/Home Health Aide student to be able to competently meet the needs of patients across the life span in a home care setting. The course introduces the student to concepts of communication skills, infection control, patient rights, safety, personal care skills and basic home care skills. The program includes hands – on learning experience to prepare the student for an entry level job. Upon completion, graduates are awarded Personal Care/Home Health Aide certificate of completion and eligible to work in home care settings caring for the elderly and clients with disability.
DMAS Requirements for Personal Care Aides (PCA) include:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be able to read and write in English to the degree necessary to perform the tasks expected
- Must be able to perform the tasks required
- Must have access to a computer and internet to complete assignments.
- Must come to onsite location for skill lab.
PERSONAL CARE / HOME HEALTH AIDE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the Personal Care/Home Health Aide Program, the student should be able to:
- Understand roles and responsibilities of the Personal Care/Home Health Aide
- Apply acquired knowledge and basic care skills to competently care for clients in a home care setting
- Understand the needs of clients and the family of caregivers while giving care in the home
- Apply knowledge of infection control measures to safely provide basic nursing care
- Demonstrate an understanding of client’s rights, privacy, and confidentiality
- Demonstrate knowledge in prevention of client abuse, neglect, and abandonment including the recognition, intervention, and reporting of abuse to the nurse.
- Communicate (verbally and non-verbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace.