Training & Career Advancement

Federal training requirements fail to prepare, reward and retain direct care workers for the critical services that they provide. In fact, the only direct care workers required to have any training are those who work in Medicaid- or Medicare-certified nursing facilities and home health agencies. But the training requirement is a mere 75 hours – far less than is required of dog groomers or hairdressers.

New direct care workers aren’t the only ones missing out on professional development. Workers who have been in the field for years also lack opportunities for development and recognition for their expertise. A lack of opportunities for specialized training that’s linked to certification and higher wages makes it difficult for direct care workers to advance without leaving their profession. It also diminishes the quality of care for millions of elderly and people with disabilities. Read more about training and certification for direct care workers (pdf).

 

Let's Make Things Right

Create Opportunities for Training & Career Advancement

The Direct Care Alliance empowers direct care workers to advocate for themselves, making their voices heard in the fight for training and career opportunities. We believe policymakers can help build a highly-skilled direct care workforce by expanding training, education and certification programs to provide direct care workers with opportunities for specialization and career advancement. We are:

 

Workers Seek Training and Career Advancement

  • 1987: The federal Nursing Home Reform Law is enacted. Mandates a minimum of 75 hours of initial training for certified nurse’s aides and home health aides who work in Medicare- or Medicaid-certified agencies.
  • 2009: DCA issues worker agenda for health care reform legislation in Direct Care Worker Principles for Health Care Reform (pdf). Training, education and certification featured as high priority areas.
  • 2009: DCA Hill Day and other visits to Washington D.C. provide direct care workers with a voice in health care debate. Direct care workers urge policymakers to include training, education and certification opportunities in health care reform legislation.
  • 2009: DCA and PHI submit recommendations for health care reform to Senate leadership.
  • 2009: At the urging of direct care workers, Senators Casey, Kohl and Feingold file an amendment in Senate health care reform bill to include direct care workers as a high priority focus area for the National Healthcare Workforce Commission. While amendment was ultimately excluded from final health care reform bill, over 40 organizations including workers, consumers and employers support legislation (pdf).
  • 2010: DCA launches a national credentialing program for personal care workers (pdf).
  • 2010: Direct care workers contribute to enactment of historic health care reform legislation! Law includes training certification provisions to strengthen the direct care workforce and improve care quality for the elderly and people with disabilities. Read letter (pdf).

 

Additional Resources