Candidates FAQ

CAMPAIGN

How long will this opportunity last? 
The classes and certifications will be made available for up to 10,000 candidates through the end of October, however, a record of your CareAcademy training and earned certificates will remain live on CareAcademy.com indefinitely. 

Who’s eligible for this training?
The first 10,000 candidates who enroll will be eligible to participate in this free training opportunity.

4-hour training: What will I be able to do with the initial 4 hours of training?
The 4-hour certification can be used to start the employment process by letting home care agencies know you are interested in being employed as a home care worker and that you have a basic understanding of providing home care services in a post-pandemic America.

16-hour training: What will I be able to do with the full 20 hours of training?
You can get to work faster by completing this training program since it equips you with the competencies necessary to enter a client’s home and begin work. The 20-hour certification makes a person employment-ready in several states and meets some but not all requirements in other states. This certification provides a strong foundation of knowledge and skills for the candidates which equip them to work effectively in home care for older adults. 

What are the benefits of the CareAcademy Home Care Starter 4-hour certification?
The successful completion of the initial 4 hours of training demonstrates a basic knowledge in providing in-home care for older adults. Training topics will not have to be repeated upon hire with adequate documentation (certificates). 

What are the benefits of a CareAcademy Home Care 20-hour program?
The successful completion of the full 20 hours of training demonstrates your aptitude and competency in providing in-home companionship & personal care for older adults. Training topics will not have to be repeated upon hire with adequate documentation (certificates).  Furthermore, as this curriculum meets and exceeds the requirements in several states, you will be hire-ready. For states where this curriculum meets some or most of the requirements, the onboarding process with a new home care agency employer will be easier thus facilitating and easing the onboarding process.

What are the benefits of a Home Health Aide 75-hour qualification?
This qualification is the federal minimum training requirement to work in Home Health Agencies; some states have additional, more robust requirements for Home Health Aides. The 75-hour Home Health Aide qualification is widely transferable between states who accept the federal standard. It enables a worker to be employed by Home Health Agencies who offer nursing and personal care for vulnerable individuals. 

How am I able to build on the training over my career?
CareAcademy believes home care jobs are critical healthcare professions of the future. By 2023, CareAcademy aims to upskill 1M people for home care jobs. We have created a way for both healthcare professionals and employers to view healthcare skills (including home care skills) and how someone can build these skills over time. First, a few definitions.

1. Micro-certificate: Building a skill within a specific subject or specialty that can be used to advance your career.

2. Certification: A credential and attestation that allows you to attain employment in a specific role such as the Certified Home Health Aide or Certified Nurse Aide.

TRAINING BENEFITS

TRAINING PROGRAM CONTENTS & COMPLIANCE

What are the classes that are included as part of the two training programs? 
CareAcademy Home Care Starter

1. CARE0100 - What Does It Mean To Be A Professional Caregiver?
2. CARE0107 - Working with an Aging Population
3. CARE0700 - Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
4. CARE0706 - Overview of COVID-19

CareAcademy Home Care Hero

1. CARE0103 - Communicating with Older Adults
2. CARE0106 - Sexual Harassment Prevention
3. CARE0113 - Professionalism: Communication, Problem Solving & Cultural Competency
4. CARE0202 - Clients' Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
5. CARE0203 - Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 1
6. CARE0204 - Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 2
7. CARE0205 - Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 3
8. CARE0300 - Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
9. CARE0400 - Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs
10. CARE0403 - Overview of Transfers & Mobility Equipment
11. CARE0600 - Overview of Nutrition & Food Preparation
12. CARE0800 - Emergency Procedures
13. CARE0802 - Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 1
14. CARE0803 - Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 2
15. CARE1000 - Light Housekeeping for Professional Caregivers
16. CARE1200 - Introduction to Dementia Care

What do I need to show my employer? What do I need to save or document as evidence I’ve completed this training?
Certificates are essential documents which demonstrate what training you took, from whom, and the duration of the class. For evidence of successful completion of training, be sure to keep digital and / or hard copies of your training certificates.

Email [email protected] or have your prospective employer email [email protected] if additional documentation and evidence of training is required.

How will my employer know that I took this training?
Your record of training will be permanently available on CareAcademy.com as will your certificates of completion for each class. Certificates are an important document to keep - digital or hard copy - as evidence of successful completion of training. If your employer has any questions about your training and the eligibility of your training, please contact CareAcademy at [email protected]. If your employer is already a customer of CareAcademy, they can request that your training be made or transferred to their company’s dashboard. 

You will also attain a physical certificate at the end of each class that can be printed to show to your employer. 

I'm already a CNA and have been considering a transition to home care from facility-based care. What, if any, classes should I take to get a job in home care?

Many home care agencies like to and will employ CNAs. It's important to note that when working in home care, CNAs will have a different scope of practice and thus will not be able to use all of their skills. Still, their industry knowledge, experience, and expertise are valued in the home care industry. 

We recommend you take the first 4 hours of classes to orient yourself to the home care industry. Some of the content will be new and some will be a review or refresher to information you may already know. Once you've finished the first 4 hours, the agency-candidate matching program will commence, and you will have access to an additional 16 hours of great class content. Some states and/or agencies may require you to take all the training, but completing all 16 hours isn't necessary to get matched. CareAcademy recommends you review the list of 16 classes and choose those subject areas which will enhance your knowledge and make you more familiar with the home care setting. 

What is this 10,000 jobs campaign?
CareAcademy has partnered with Kairos and the HCAOA to offer those left unemployed by COVID-19 as well as those seeking jobs in home care to complete the foundational training necessary to begin a career in home care. 

I would like to get access to direct care workers. Who should I contact?
In order to get access to direct care workers who have received training, reach out to [email protected]. In some states, new caregivers may require additional training but may have finished significant portions of required training already. CareAcademy offers dozens of hours of training solutions including an HHA qualification program to help caregivers complete required training with your agency and nurse instructor. 

What does the training that CareAcademy provides entail?
The certificates received after completing the first four hours of CareAcademy classes mean that the caregiver has an introductory and basic understanding of aging and professional eldercare. These are highly motivated candidates who have taken the first steps to a career in caregiving and are ready to take the next steps with you.

 The additional 16 hours of training unlocks part or all of required onboarding training in most states. If you’re unsure about your state requirements, email [email protected].

Is everyone taking classes ready to work right away?
It depends on the state. In many states caregivers are ready for work with certificates from these training classes. These candidates new to home care may need hands-on mentorship and on-the-job orientation training to facilitate a career in home care. The classes we have provided are eligible towards initial state training requirements in most states which allows for direct care workers to provide in-home personal care and companionship. The requirements for Home Health Aide qualification training vary from state to state. However many or all of the classes we offer to the direct care workers enable for the building blocks of a home care career. 

Employers should still have candidates undergo their hiring process and procedures including agency-specific orientation to the job roles, responsibilities, and client population served.

I have caregivers that I would like to offer home health aide (HHA) qualification training, professional development, continuing education, and/or other state compliance training for caregivers. Do you have those options available?
Yes! As an employer, you can evaluate our platform and tools for your business needs. Our sales team will help you find the right programs and resources to fit your needs. To consult with our sales team, you may schedule an appointment for a discussion and demo here: http://careacademy.com/demo or email us at [email protected]. 

You can also test out a free trial here: https://info.careacademy.com/en/free-trial-signup. 

How many candidates have completed the training program?
Candidates are completing their training hours on a rolling basis each day and we will be matching them with Agencies throughout the program. 

What is the matching process?
Our team is currently identifying candidates in your primary area who have completed the initial four hour training and who have either completed, or are on the road towards completing, the required training for home care workers in your state. As part of the matching process, we will email you the candidates name, their contact details, and what parts of the training they have completed. We ask that you reach out to those candidates you have matched with and engage with them directly about potentially joining your agency. 

How long do I have to talk to these candidates?
We ask that you make every attempt to reach these candidates in the first three business days after receiving their contact details. Candidates have invested their time in starting this process, out of respect for that investment we ask that you at the least have an initial conversation with each candidate you are matched with. 

These candidates may have also been shared with other agencies in your area and those agencies have an equal opportunity to reach out and connect, so don’t delay!  

What do I do once I am matched with a candidate?
As you review candidates please bear in mind that it is your choice to hire the individuals participating in this program. We do ask, however, that out of courtesy for the time they have already committed that you reach out and connect with them. Candidates taking part in this program have started their educational journey independently and are motivated learners with compassion who are ready to make a fresh start in a healthcare career. You should interview these candidates and make your own assessment based on the criteria you use as part of your hiring process. 

Should you decide to move forward with a candidate, they have access to a certificate of completion in the CareAcademy platform and you should recognize the training completed as part of our onboarding process. 

What if there are no candidates in my area that have completed their training?
We will keep you updated if any new candidates complete training in your area. We are frequently receiving new candidates to our ‘Future of Work’ training program so there is potential for you to still receive a match. 

If I choose to hire a candidate, what will the onboarding process look like for my agency?
If you are currently a CareAcademy customer you will be able to add these candidates to your dashboard directly with their training completions. 

If you are not currently a CareAcademy customer the candidate is able to provide you with their completion data if needed. 

We have our own training program, do I have to use your training?
We recognize that agencies have their own onboarding and training processes. We would ask that you carefully review what is covered in the training that these candidates have completed and opt them out of duplicate training in your onboarding program. This will accelerate candidates through the process and will align with the goals of the Future of Work program. 

What is included in each training? 
CareAcademy Home Care Starter (4 hour initial training)

1. CARE0100 - What Does It Mean To Be A Professional Caregiver?
2. CARE0107 - Working with an Aging Population
3. CARE0700 - Maintaining a Clean & Healthy Environment (Infection Control)
4. CARE0706 - Overview of COVID-19

CareAcademy Home Care Hero (16 hour additional training)

1. CARE0103 - Communicating with Older Adults
2. CARE0106 - Sexual Harassment Prevention
3. CARE0113 - Professionalism: Communication, Problem Solving & Cultural Competency
4. CARE0202 - Clients' Rights, HIPAA & Elder Abuse Prevention
5. CARE0203 - Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 1
6. CARE0204 - Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 2
7. CARE0205 - Observation, Reporting & Documentation: Part 3
8. CARE0300 - Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs
9. CARE0400 - Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs
10. CARE0403 - Overview of Transfers & Mobility Equipment
11. CARE0600 - Overview of Nutrition & Food Preparation
12. CARE0800 - Emergency Procedures
13. CARE0802 - Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 1
14. CARE0803 - Safety Precautions & Falls Prevention: Part 2
15. CARE1000 - Light Housekeeping for Professional Caregivers
16. CARE1200 - Introduction to Dementia Care

Do I need to pay candidates for the completed training?
No. The training completed by the candidates so far was done on their own time. There is no expectation that candidates will be compensated for completed training. 

Am I required to hire the candidates you have matched me with?
No, you are under no obligation to hire these candidates. Out of respect for your participation in the program and the work candidates have already completed, we do ask that you at least have a conversation with each candidate and assess their skills and fit with your needs. 

What do I do if the candidates you have matched me with are not actually in my region?
We used broad state/zip code matches to match candidates with agencies. We recognize that this may mean that some candidates are not currently in your service area. We do ask that you have that initial conversation regardless as these candidates may be willing to move or travel to your service area.  

I operate in multiple states, why did you only send me candidates for only one state?
We have not yet automated the matching process and are not able to easily determine all the states our agency partners operate in and then match those candidates accordingly. We are investigating the feasibility of adding this functionality as part of future programs. 

What do I do if a candidate does not return my call?
We ask that you make every effort to connect with a candidate within three business days of the match completion. However candidates have the option to pursue the matching program and can accept offers from other agencies or exit the program at any time. 

Are these candidates exclusive for me?
No. If a candidate resides in a state where we have more than one participating agency partner, ALL of the participating agencies received the same candidates. It is up to you to connect with the candidate and bring them quickly through the matching and hiring process as appropriate. 

I still have questions, how do I contact you?
You can reach out to us directly at [email protected] and we will respond to you as soon as we can.

What does the matching process look like?
Upon completion of at least your initial 4 hour training you will be added to a list of candidates. Candidates will then be matched with agencies based on the states they live in. Once we have completed the matching process we will provide you with a list of the agencies you have matched with. We will include contact details, but the expectation is that those agencies will proactively reach out to you

Please bear in mind that it is ultimately up to the agency to review your candidacy and decide to take the next steps with you based on their hiring process. Should they choose to move forward with you, they will lay out the next steps in their orientation and training programs.

How soon will I be matched with an agency?
The first round of the matching process begins on September 25, 2020. The matching process is conducted on a rolling basis meaning the sooner you finish the minimum 4-hour initial training the sooner you can be matched with agencies.

What if an agency doesn’t reach out to me?
It is ultimately up to the agency if they choose to reach out to you. You will have access to the list of agencies that your details have been sent to, if you choose to reach out yourself to check on the status of your eligibility you are welcome to do so.
Bear in mind that there are agencies still signing up to join the program. If you happen to not hear back from any employers it is still possible that a new agency in your state may opt to join the program in which case your information will be sent to them. 

What if there are no agencies close to my area? 
If it turns out these agencies do not have work close to where you are located, please let us know and we will do our best to 
re-match you should new agencies come into the program.

What if I am matched with multiple agencies? 
We have matched you with all agencies in your area based on zip codes. If you matched with multiple agencies you are free to make a decision about which agency to work with, if any. You are under no obligation to continue the program.

What happens if I am hired?
The hiring and onboarding process will be prepared by the agency that hires you. Most likely you will undergo orientation and onboarding. Bear in mind they may request that you take additional training upon being hired to complete their processes.

I still have questions, how do I contact you? 
You can reach out to us directly at  [email protected] and we will respond to you as soon as we can.

MATCHING