Personal Care Aide Training

Personal care aides (PCAs), often known as caregivers, play a crucial role in supporting clients who require assistance with daily activities due to illness, injury, or age-related limitations. These professionals are dedicated to promoting their client's physical well-being and providing emotional support and companionship during challenging times.

This asynchronous caregiver course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the personal care aide's roles and responsibilities and ways to...

12 Months / 200 Course Hrs

Open Enrollment

Offered in partnership with your preferred school

C-TEC (Career and Technology Education Centers)

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Learning method

Instructor-led

$2,295

Self-paced. Study on your own schedule

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Details + Objectives

Course code: GES1057

What you will learn

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the personal care aide, assistant, or caregiver in the health care system, home environment, and care facility
Understand the supporting role you will play in the daily living activities of the client
Explain the role of proper nutrition and feeding considerations when providing clients with healthy meals
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the personal care aide in promoting safety, including the prevention of the spread of infections
Explain the roles and responsibilities of the personal care aide or assistant in providing mental and emotional support for the client and their caregiver(s)
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the personal care aide or assistant in providing care for clients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and terminal illnesses

How you will benefit

Develop the skills needed to communicate positively and efficiently with clients and health care professionals within the home environment and care facility
Develop a solid foundation of knowledge about the human body that will enable you to be successful in your role
Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a personal care aide and perform all related tasks and responsibilities with confidence

How the course is taught

Self-paced, online course
12 Months to complete
Open enrollment, begin anytime
200 course hours

Outline

Medical Terminology

Getting Started
How to Take This Course
Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
The Musculoskeletal System
The Cardiovascular System
The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
The Respiratory System
The Digestive System
The Urinary System
Midterm
Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
The Nervous System
Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
The Integumentary System
The Endocrine System
Mental Health
Male and Female Reproductive Systems
Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
Final Exam

Personal Care Aide
1. Personal Care Aide Foundations
2. Personal Care Aide Responsibilities
3. Nutrition and Feeding
4. Vital Signs
5. Promoting Safety and Navigating Emergencies
6. Human Body Systems
7. Infection and Disease
8. Rehabilitation and Restorative Care
9. Social and Emotional Health
10. Conditions that Require Special Care
11. Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Pediatric Care
12. Personal Care Aide Skills Development
13. Preparing for Your Career

Instructors & Support

Carmen Reed

Carmen Reed became a certified nursing assistant in 2004 and worked in an acute rehabilitation center and later a medical surgical unit while attending nursing school. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and continued working at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center as a medical surgical nurse for 8 years. After starting a family, she entered the field of school nursing which was also very rewarding. Most recently, she has worked as a clinical review nurse, evaluating clinical decisions among nurses at hospitals across the country. While challenging at times, she truly enjoys her career in nursing and is grateful for all the opportunities it has brought her.

Medical Terminology Instructors

Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

This program is designed to prepare you for an entry-level position as a personal care aide. You do not need any prior experience or training in this field, but you should be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

State Requirements:

Most states require additional agency-directed training of employees after they are hired. This personal care aide training course is not intended as a substitute for the additional agency-directed training required by a state. Students are responsible for determining the training and competency requirements of employers in the states in which they wish to be employed.

This course does not meet the requirements for students intending to work in Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Washington DC, and Wyoming.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 10 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following digital textbook will be provided via links in the classroom after enrollment in the Medical Terminology course:

Medical Terminology for Health Professions (eBook)

The textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Personal Care Aide course:

Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach, 12th Edition by Barbara Acello and Barbara Hegner
Workbook to Accompany Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach, 12th Edition by Barbara Acello and Barbara Hegner

More About

About Certification: National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has a single goal: to improve the quality of patient care in all medical settings. NHA believes that increasing the knowledge, skills, and competency of healthcare professionals will result in improved patient care as well as better efficiency in the healthcare industry. NHA provides a variety of certifications that work toward achieving this goal. The organization is a nationally-recognized and highly-respected healthcare certification provider.

FAQ

The demand for Personal Care Aides is expected to increase by 22% through 2032. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average Personal Care Aide salary is $30,180, making now a great time to enter this growing profession.

A caregiver is an individual who provides care and assistance to someone who is in need of physical, emotional, or practical support due to illness, disability, age, or other circumstances. Caregivers can take on various roles and responsibilities, and they may care for a family member, friend, or client in a professional capacity. Caregiving can encompass a wide range of activities and tasks.

A personal care aide, also known as a personal care assistant (PCA) or caregiver, is a healthcare professional who provides essential non-medical assistance and support to individuals who have difficulty performing daily activities on their own. These individuals may include the elderly, disabled, or those recovering from illness or surgery. Personal care aides typically work in a variety of settings, including private homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes.

Personal care aides do not provide medical services or treatments, as that falls under the purview of licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses or therapists. Instead, their role is focused on enhancing the quality of life and independence of their clients by assisting with daily tasks and offering companionship.

A personal care aide (PCA), home health aide (HHA), and certified nursing assistant (CNA) are all healthcare professionals who provide essential care and support to individuals who require assistance with daily activities. While there is some overlap in their roles and responsibilities, there are key differences among them:

Personal care aide (PCA):

PCA is the most general term and may encompass a wide range of caregivers who assist individuals with basic daily tasks, often in a home or community setting.
PCAs typically provide non-medical assistance, such as helping with personal hygiene, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship.
They may not have formal healthcare training or certification, but they usually receive on-the-job training or instruction from their employers.

Home health aide (HHA):

HHAs are specifically trained to work with individuals who require assistance due to illness, injury, disability, or advanced age, often in a home setting.
They provide personal care and may also assist with monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and following a care plan created by a registered nurse or therapist.
HHAs often have a formal certification or training program and may need to meet state-specific requirements for licensure or certification.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA):

CNAs are healthcare professionals who work in various settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, and home care.
They receive formal training and certification, typically through state-approved programs. This training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
CNAs provide a higher level of care compared to PCAs or HHAs. They assist with medical tasks such as taking vital signs, assisting with mobility, dressing wounds, and providing basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.

The main differences among these roles are the level of training and the scope of care provided. PCAs offer non-medical assistance, HHAs provide a mix of personal and basic medical care, while CNAs offer a more extensive range of healthcare services under the guidance of licensed nurses. The specific responsibilities and requirements for these roles can vary by state and employer, so it's essential to check local regulations and job descriptions for precise details.

No. This course does not prepare you for a nationally recognized certification. Certification for the PCA is at the state level, and it is up to you to review any state requirements needed for certification.

Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third party funded students may not be eligible.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."

Personal Care Aide Training

C-TEC (Career and Technology Education Centers)