New Hire Caregiver Training and Orientation

Under Pennsylvania law, a Home Care Agency (HCA) or Registry (HCR) must ensure each direct care worker (DCW) meets competency requirements before providing care.

Mandatory Core Topics:

1. Confidentiality

2. Consumer control & independent living philosophy

3. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

4. Recognizing changes in the consumer that need attention

5. Basic infection control

6. Universal precautions

7. Handling emergencies

8. Documentation

9. Recognizing and reporting abuse or neglect

10. Dealing with difficult behaviors

Additional Topics for Personal Care Providers:

• Bathing, shaving, grooming, dressing

• Hair, skin, and mouth care

• Ambulation and transferring

• Meal preparation and feeding

• Toileting

• Assisting with self-administered medications