Understand training requirements for Pennsylvania
What are we calling caregivers in this state?
- Direct Care Workers (DCWs)
- Personal Care Aides (PCAs)
- Home Health Aides (HHAs)
- Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs)
Number of hours to meet the requirement for initial onboarding training
- Direct Care Workers (DCWs) – no minimum hour requirement
- Personal Care Aides (PCAs) – 12 hours
- Home Health Aides (HHAs) – 75 hours
- Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) – 80 hours
Number of hours to meet the requirement for annual training
- Direct Care Workers (DCWs) – no minimum hour requirement
- Personal Care Aides (PCAs) – 12 hours
- Home Health Aides (HHAs) – 12 hours
- Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) – no annual training requirement
Caregivers can get the following training through CareAcademy
- Direct Care Workers (DCWs) need an initial training covering specific topics without a mandated minimum hour requirement and annual training covering specific topics without a mandated minimum hour requirement which CareAcademy offers.
- Personal Care Aides (PCAs) need 12 hours of initial training in specific topics and 12 hours of annual training in specific topics which CareAcademy offers.
- Home Health Aides (HHAs) need 75 hours of initial training and 12 hours of annual training which CareAcademy offers.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs) are not required to take annual training. CareAcademy recommends CNAs take 12 hours annually for best practices which CareAcademy offers.
What do you need to know about caregiver training requirements?
Licensing authorities
Direct Care Workers (DCWs)
Personal Care Aides (PCAs)
Home Health Aides (HHAs)
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs)
Which classes meet the requirements?
DCW Initial Training
Some required topics include:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Infection Control
- Handling Emergencies
A few CareAcademy class solutions:
- CARE0202 – Client’s Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
- CARE0203 – Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 1
- CARE0300 – Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
- CARE0700 – Maintaining a Clean and Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
DCW Annual Training
Some required topics include:
There are no required topics for annual training for Direct Care Workers (DCWs). DCWs should take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0517 – Overview of Skin Care & Wound Prevention
- CARE0706 – Overview of Covid-19
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
- CARE1201 – Communicating with a Person with Dementia
PCA Initial Training
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- Clients’ rights
- Emergency medical plan
- Gerontology
A few, approved CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0107 – Working with an Aging Population
- CARE0113 – Professionalism: Communication, Problem Solving & Cultural Competency
- CARE0300 – Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
PCA Annual Training
Some required topics include:
- Dementia care
- Infection control
- Intellectual disability
A few, approved CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
- CARE0700 – Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
- CARE1102 – Overview of Mental Illness Care
HHA Initial Training
Some required topics include:
- Observation, reporting, and documentation
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Infection Control
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0202 – Clients’ Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
- CARE0203 – Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 1
- CARE0300 – Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
- CARE0700 – Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
HHA 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
- CARE0517 – Overview of Skin Care & Wound Prevention
- CARE0706 – Overview of Covid-19
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
- CARE1201 – Communicating with a Person with Dementia
CNA Initial Training
CNAs must complete initial training through an approved vocational school.
CNA Annual Training
Some required topics include:
There are no annual training requirements for Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs). For best practices, CNAs are recommended to take annual training in areas specific to their competency needs and client population.
A few CareAcademy class solutions
- CARE0517 – Overview of Skin Care & Wound Prevention
- CARE0706 – Overview of Covid-19
- CARE1200 – Introduction to Dementia Care
- CARE1201 – Communicating with a Person with Dementia
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