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Become Certified as a Personal Care Assistant

1. Complete the Onboarding Program

The Home Care Training Coordinator offers our online program by Serenity Care and Compassion. The training typically covers:

  • Basic nursing skills
  • Personal care skills
  • HIPAA Laws
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Safety and emergency procedures

2. Pass a Competency Exam

After completing the onboarding training program, you must pass a competency exam (Personal Care Assistant Test). This exam usually consists of a written test and a practical skills test. The written portion tests your knowledge of the material covered in your training, while the practical portion assesses your ability to perform essential PCA tasks.

3. Obtain Certification

Once you pass the competency exam, you will obtain certification through your state or country’s health department or relevant regulatory body. This may involve submitting proof of your training and exam results and a background check.

4. Maintain Certification

Certification typically needs to be renewed periodically, which may require continuing education or re-taking the competency exam. Stay informed about the renewal requirements to ensure your certification remains valid.

Additional Tips:

  • CPR and First Aid Certification: Serenity Care and Compassion requires our PCAs to have current CPR and First Aid certifications.
  • Current Tuberculosis Skin Test: Ensuring that caregivers are not carriers of TB helps prevent the spread of this potentially serious disease to vulnerable clients.
  • Stay Informed: Consider additional training in dementia care, hospice care, or working with specific populations to enhance your skills and employability.

Resources:

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