For agencies dedicated to providing exceptional home care, ensuring staff are well-trained and confident is paramount. PHCAST offers comprehensive training solutions designed to equip your team with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel as Home Care Aides. Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to cover all essential aspects of the role, fostering competence and promoting safe, effective care delivery.
The PHCAST program addresses the core responsibilities of a Home Care Aide, encompassing vital skills such as effective communication through active listening, nutritional guidance, maintaining a clean and safe home environment, and building positive relationships with clients. Staff will also learn crucial protocols for recognizing and reporting abuse and neglect, and how to confidently manage emergency situations.
For those new to home care, the New Homemaker Course provides an excellent starting point. This introductory program consists of 11 self-paced online modules, allowing staff to learn at their convenience and integrate training seamlessly into their schedules.
Building upon the foundational knowledge from the Homemaker course, the Personal Care Homemaker Course offers advanced training in personal care skills. This 7-module online course delves deeper into the specifics of personal care and requires a practical, hands-on training component. Participants must complete 10 hours of in-person training with a Registered Nurse specializing in Personal Care Homemaker instruction to solidify their skills and ensure competency. This blended learning approach ensures a comprehensive understanding and practical application of personal care techniques.
“Flexibility is the biggest benefit [for my staff]. They can do [the training] on their own time and don’t have to take the time out of work. The second biggest benefit is a boost in their self-esteem.”
To further support both direct care workers and employing agencies, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) has established the PHCAST Job Board. This exclusive platform, located at PHCAST Job Board, is available to ASAP contracted agencies providing homemaking and personal care services. Agencies can utilize the job board to post open positions and connect with qualified professionals seeking roles in the home care sector. This resource streamlines the hiring process and helps ensure agencies can find well-trained individuals to deliver high-quality personal care.
