nurseThis is a 40-hour course approved by the Virginia Department of Medicaid Assistance Services (DMAS) where students learn how to assist patients with self-care and everyday tasks as well as provide some clients with much needed companionship. Personal care aides are sometimes known by other titles, including caregiver, companion, and personal attendant. They often perform tasks similar to those of home health aides; however, they cannot provide any type of medical-related services, whereas home health aides may be able to provide basic medical services depending on state regulations

Personal Care Aid Certification Course is designed for individuals seeking to gain employment as a senior care provider.

This certification is appropriate both for the paid, professional caregiver as well as for family caregivers who are stepping into caregiving roles for loved ones.
Course Outline

PCA Certification course consists of six modules. Each section within a module is 1-2 hours in length. Total Personal Care Aid Certification course is 40 hours in length.

Module 1: Becoming a Caregiver

CARE101 – Caregiving Core Values and Teamwork
CARE102 – Caregiving Tasks and Client Populations
TIPS131 – Quick Tips – Helping Families Cope
CARE103 – Ethics and Personal Rights
CARE104 – Communicating with Others
TIPS129 – Quick Tips – Effective Basic Communication
VBCS133 – Basic Care Skills – Privacy
VBCS126 – Basic Care Skills – Leaving the Room

Module 2: Basic Foundations for Care

CARE105 – HIPAA and client rights
CARE106 – Promoting Client Independence
CARE107 – Elder Abuse: Causes, Types and Reporting
CARE108 – Human Needs and Development Throughout the Lifespan
CARE109 – Body Systems and the Aging Process
CARE110 – Common Chronic Diseases
IPS126 – Quick Tips – Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia
CARE111 – Common Communicable Diseases
CARE112 – Handling Difficult Situations and Behaviors
TIPS132 – Quick Tips – Managing Challenging Behaviors
TIPS125 – Quick Tips – Advanced Skills for the Most Challenging Behaviors
VBCS134 – Basic Care Skills – Promoting Independence

Module 3: Caregiving in an Emergency

CARE113 – Caregiver First Aid – Burns and Poisons
CARE114 – Caregiver First Aid – Heart Attack and Shock
CARE115 – Caregiver First Aid – Choking and Falls
CARE116 – Caregiver First Aid – Stroke and Wounds
CARE117 – Caregiver First Aid – Other Sudden Emergencies

Module 4: Nuts and Bolts of Caregiving

CARE118 – Infection prevention and control
CARE119 – Workplace Hazards and Safety
TIPS130 – Quick Tips – Environment Is Important
CARE120 – Promoting and Maintaining Good Mobility
CARE121 – Nutrition and Hydration: Special Diets and Fluid Intake
CARE122 – Elimination and Toileting
VBCS123 – Basic Care Skills – Gloves
VBCS125 – Basic Care Skills – Handwashing
VBCS117 – Basic Care Skills – Applying Elastic Stockings
VBCS132 – Basic Care Skills – Positioning
VBCS136 – Basic Care Skills – Range of Motion
VBCS120 – Basic Care Skills – Bedpan
VBCS140 – Basic Care Skills – Skin Care
VBCS127 – Basic Care Skills – Making an Occupied Bed

Module 5: Providing Personal Care and Services

CARE123 – Providing Personal Care
TIPS128 – Quick Tips – Daily Care Skills
CARE124 – Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
TIPS124 – Quick Tips – Activities and Enrichment
CARE125 – Providing Skin Care
CARE126 – Measuring Vital Signs
VBCS142 – Basic Care Skills – Vital Signs
VBCS141 – Basic Care Skills – Temperature
VBCS130 – Basic Care Skills – Pain
VBCS135 – Basic Care Skills – Pulse
VBCS137 – Basic Care Skills – Respiration
VBCS118 – Basic Care Skills – Bathing
VBCS119 – Basic Care Skills – Bed Bath
VBCS138 – Basic Care Skills – Shampooing Hair in Bed
VBCS122 – Basic Care Skills – Dressing
VBCS124 – Basic Care Skills – Grooming Hair
VBCS128 – Basic Care Skills – Nail Care
VBCS129 – Basic Care Skills – Oral Hygiene
VBCS121 – Basic Care Skills – Denture Care
VBCS131 – Basic Care Skills – Perineal Care
VBCS139 – Basic Care Skills – Shaving

Module 6: Crucial Skills

CARE127 – Observation, Reporting, and Recording
Observation checklist
TIPS127 – Quick Tips – Appraisal and Care Planning Skills

CARE128 – End of Life Care
TIPS133 – Quick Tips – Understanding Death and Dying
CARE129 – Managing your Work and Avoiding Caregiver Stress
CARE130 – Caregiver Conduct – Regulations, Co-workers, and Families
CARE131 – Understanding Sexual Harassment and Misconduct
CARE132 – Understanding Cultural Differences in the senior population

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