Understand training requirements for Massachusetts
What are we calling caregivers in this state?
- Homemaker
- Personal Care Aide (PCA)
- Supportive Home Care Aide (SHCA)
- Home Health Aide (HHA)
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
- Adult Foster Caregiver
Number of hours to meet the requirement for initial onboarding training
- Homemakers – 40 hours
- Personal Care Aides – 60 hours
- Supportive Personal Care Aides – 87 hours
- Home Health Aides (HHAs) – 75hours
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs) – 75 hours
Number of hours to meet the requirement for annual training
- Homemakers – 6 hours
- Personal Care Aides – 6 hours
- Supportive Personal Care Aides – not specified; CareAcademy recommends 6 hours
- Home Health Aides (HHAs) – 12 hours
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs) – no annual training requirement
Caregivers can get the following training through CareAcademy
- Homemakers need 5 hours of initial training and 5 hours of annual training in specific topics which CareAcademy offers.
- Personal Care Aide (PCA) need 3 hours of agency-specific orientation and 57 hours of initial training which CareAcademy offers.
- Supportive Home Care Aide (SHCA) need 87 hours of initial training some of which CareAcademy can offer.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs) need 48 hours of continuing education over 2 years, 24 hours can be obtained through an approved provider like CareAcademy (NAC provider number 7047). At least 12 hours need to be taken each year.
What do you need to know about caregiver training requirements?
Licensing authorities
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards
Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
Which classes meet the requirements?
Homemaker Initial Training
Some required topics include:
- Communication
- Body Systems and Common Diseases
- Infection Control
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0107 – Working with an Aging Population
- CARE0700 – Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
- CARE0536 – Overview of Body Systems
Homemaker Annual Training
Some required topics include:
Topics are not specified for annual training requirements for Homemakers. For best practices, Homemakers are recommended to take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0103 – Communicating with Older Adults
- CARE0113 – Professionalism: Communication, Problem Solving & Cultural Competency
- CARE0203 – Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 1
- CARE0202 – Clients’ Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
Personal Care Aide
Initial Training
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- Communication
- Body Systems and Common Diseases
- Infection Control
A few, approved CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0107 – Working with an Aging Population
- CARE0700 – Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
- CARE0536 – Overview of Body Systems
Personal Care Aide Annual Training
Some required topics include:
Topics are not specified for annual training requirements for Personal Care Aides. For best practices, Personal Care Aides are recommended to take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few, approved CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0202 – Clients’ Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
- CARE0300 – Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
- CARE0400 – Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs
- CARE0803 – Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 2
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
Supportive Personal Care Aide Initial Training
Some required topics include:
CareAcademy recommends the CareAcademy Home Health Aide initial training to cover part of this requirement and to take the only approved training program from the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for full compliance.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- What Does It Mean To Be A Professional Caregiver?
- Working with an Aging Population
- Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
- Emergency Procedures
- Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 1
Supportive Personal Care Aide Annual Training
Some required topics include:
There are no required topics for annual training for Home Health Aides (HHAs). HHAs should take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- What Does It Mean To Be A Professional Caregiver?
- Working with an Aging Population
- Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
- Emergency Procedures
- Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 1
HHA Initial Training
Some required topics include:
- Communication
- Body Systems and Common Diseases
- Infection Control
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- Communicating with Older Adults
- Working with an Aging Population
- Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
- Emergency Procedures
- Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 1
CNA Annual Training
Some required topics include:
Annual training is not required for Certified Nurse Aides. For best practices, CareAcademy recommends Certified Nurse Aides take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0202 – Clients’ Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
- CARE0300 – Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
- CARE0400 – Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs
- CARE0803 – Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 2
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
CNA Initial Training
CNAs must complete initial training through an approved vocational school.
HHA Annual Training
Some required topics include:
Topics are not specified for annual training requirements for Home Health Aides. For best practices, Home Health Aides are recommended to take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0202 – Clients’ Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
- CARE0300 – Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
- CARE0400 – Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs
- CARE0803 – Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 2
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
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