Course Catalog
Learn about your course curriculum, course options and where to go for support.
Download a PDF of the complete English Course Catalog below or use the language selector above to see the information in your preferred language on this page.
Support to Help You Succeed
You can take courses in your preferred language when available or request a free interpreter. Learn about your options based on your training requirements below.
The Member Resource Center can help you access language support, find courses in your language, request an interpreter, and update your language preferences. in the Caregiver Learning Center.
Orientation & Safety
This training is completed before you begin work as a caregiver. You will learn caregiving basics, emergency preparedness and much more.
Required for all caregivers: Before you begin caregiving, your first step is to take Orientation & Safety training.
Languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Khmer, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.
Pre-assessment
Module 1: Role of the Caregiver
- Lesson 1: Clients and Caregivers
- Lesson 2: Professionalism as a Caregiver
- Lesson 3: Observing and Reporting
- Lesson 4: Communication Best Practices
Module 2: Client Rights and Dignity
- Lesson 1: The Care Plan
- Lesson 2: Rules of Care
- Lesson 3: Client Confidentiality
- Lesson 4: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Module 3: Accident Prevention
- Lesson 1: Safety Practices to Prevent Accidents and Injury
- Lesson 2: Safety Hazards In the Home
- Lesson 3: Fall Prevention and Care
Module 4: Infection Control and Blood-borne Pathogens
- Lesson 1: Standard Precautions
- Lesson 2: Handwashing and Gloving
- Lesson 3: Exposure to Blood-borne Pathogens
Module 5: Emergency Response
- Lesson 1: Medical Emergencies
- Lesson 2: Home Fires and Other Emergencies
Post-assessment
Basic Training
Basic Training gives you customized training based on what kind of caregiver you are and helps you give comprehensive and high-quality care.
You can use the chart to find your Basic Training requirement by your provider type and scroll down to see your options and course descriptions for in-language Basic Training below.
Provider Type | Training Requirement |
|---|---|
Standard Home Care Aide (HCA) Caregivers who take care of clients, part- or full-time. | Basic Training 70 |
Adult Child Provider Caregivers who take care of a parent when related by marriage or domestic partnership. Also includes spouses or domestic partners who service a spouse/partner through the Veterans Affairs homecare program. | Basic Training 30 |
Limited Service Provider Caregivers who work fewer than 20 hours a month. | |
Family Provider Caregivers caring only for a child, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, grandchild or grandparent, including relations by marriage or domestic partnership. Includes caregivers formerly called Parent Individual Providers (Non-DDA). | |
Respite Provider Caregivers who take care of another caregiver’s clients or family members for a short period of time (less than 300 hours per year). | Basic Training 9 |
Parent Individual Provider (DDA) Parents who take care of their child with a developmental disability. | Basic Training 7 |
Basic Training 70
Although there are 2 versions of Basic Training 70 (BT70), BT70v3 is the preferred version to take for language support.
Languages: English, Arabic, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.
Course materials are also available in Khmer, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Laotian, Samoan, Farsi, Nepali or Punjabi; course interpretation is also available.
Day 1 / In-Person
- Module 1: Introduction to Home Care and the Consumer Rights (Part1)
- 3.5 hours
Day 2 / Webinar
- Module 2: Consumer Rights (Part 2), the Care Team and the Care Plan
- 3.5 hours
Day 3 / Webinar
- Module 3: Communication and Problem Solving
- 3.5 hours
Day 4 / Webinar
- Module 4: Infection Control
- 3.5 hours
Day 5 / Webinar
- Module 5: Blood Borne Pathogens
- 3.5 hours
Day 6 / Webinar
- Module 6: Human Development and Aging and Proper Body Mechanics
- 3.5 hours
Day 7 / Webinar
- Module 19: Developmental and Physical Disabilities
- 3.5 hours
Day 8 / Webinar
- Module 20: Dementia and Behavioral Health
- 3.5 hours
Day 9 / In-Person
Module 7: Activities of Daily Living: Mobility and Assistive Devices (Part 1)
Module 8: Activities of Daily Living: Mobility and Assistive Devices (Part 2)
- 7 hours
Day 10 / In-Person
Module 9: Activities of Daily Living: Bowel and Bladder
Module 10: Activities of Daily Living: Oral Health and Personal Hygiene
- 7 hours
Day 11 / In-Person
Module 11: Activities of Daily Living: Skin and Dressing (Part 1)
Module 12: Activities of Daily Living: Skin and Dressing (Part 2)
- 7 hours
Day 12 / In-Person
Module 13: Activities of Daily Living: Nutrition and Food Handling
Module 14: Activities of Daily Living: Medication – Managing the Consumer’s Home
- 7 hours
Day 13 / In-Person
Module 15: Grief, Loss and Self-Care
Module 16: Practice Written Exam and Exam Preparation
- 7 hours
Day 14 / In-Person
Module 17: Skills Practice
Module 18: Skills Practice
- 7 hours
Basic Training 30
Basic Training 30 requires 7 hours of Core Courses, a 3.5 hour Skills Lab and 20 hours of Elective Courses. Elective Courses can be selected in the Caregiver Learning Center after enrolling in the Learning Plan.
Languages*: Chinese, English, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese
*If Basic Training 30 is unavailable in your preferred language, you may be eligible for Alternative Accelerated BT30 (ALT ABT). Contact the Member Resource Center to learn more.
Medication Assistance
Online / 2 Credit Hours
Learn the differences between medication assistance and medication administration and the best practices for medication storage. You will learn how to apply the Five Rights and how to respond if a client refuses medication. In addition, you will learn how to report medication-related concerns or errors.
Providing Care Using a Person-Centered Approach
Online / 1 Credit Hour
Learn what is important for a consumer/client to inform their caregiving, identify key information needed to create a one-page profile, and analyze the importance of a one-page profile in supporting the consumer/client.
Recognizing and Reporting Consumer Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation
Online / 1 Credit Hour
Learn to recognize and report consumer/client abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Reducing the Spread of Infection through
Standard Precautions
Online / 1 Credit Hour
This course will review risks of infection and how to safely clean equipment and handle waste.
The Caregiver and Client Experience
Online / 1 Credit Hour
The purpose of this course is to give home care workers more information on their role as a caregiver.
Understanding Basic Medical Terminology
Online / 1 Credit Hour
This course explains common word parts used in medical terminology. You will practice translating medical terminology and abbreviations into plain language.
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
Online / 1 Credit Hour
Learn to recognize and respond to medical emergencies and disasters.
Improving Time Management Skills
Online / 2 Credit Hours
In this course, you will practice techniques and strategies to better manage and prioritize your time, including time spent supporting clients.
Insect Bite and Infestation Safety
Online / 1 Credit Hour
Insect infestations are a common issue caregivers encounter while caring for clients. Learn how to help prevent adverse reactions from a bite or sting and how to keep yourself safe while working in an insect-infested environment.
Managing Compassion Fatigue
Online / 2 Credit Hours
This course provides information on the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue. You will learn the different phases of compassion fatigue and how to utilize best practices for addressing compassion fatigue.
Mindful Eating
Online / 2 Credit Hours
Learn about mindfulness and how mindfulness influences eating. You will examine hunger through the lens of mindful eating and apply best practices of mindful eating.
Opioids and Pain Management
Online / 2 Credit Hours
This course will provide an understanding of opioid medications for pain management, the risks associated with opioid use, and how to support clients in minimizing these risks.
Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
Online / 3 Credit Hours
Learn how to collaborate with the client to address hazards inside and outside the client’s home. You will also learn the best practices for protecting against slips, trips, and falls and perform balance exercises.
BT30 Skills Lab: Mobility Including Bed-based Mobility Care
In-person / 3 Credit Hours
In this class, you will practice the following skills: Common Care practices including handwashing, gloving, assisting a client to walk, transferring a client from bed to a wheelchair, turning and repositioning a client, and range of motion exercises.
Basic Training 9
Basic Training 9 requires 4 hours of Core Courses, plus 5 hours of Elective Courses. Elective Courses can be selected in the Caregiver Learning Center after enrolling in the Learning Plan.
Languages: Chinese, English, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese
The Caregiver and Client Experience
Online / 1 Credit Hour
The purpose of this course is to give home care workers more information on their role as a caregiver.
Reducing the Spread of Infection through Standard Precautions
Online / 1 Credit Hour
This course will review risks of infection and how to safely clean equipment and handle waste.
Recognizing and Reporting Consumer Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation
Online / 1 Credit Hour
In this course, you will learn to recognize and report consumer/client abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
Providing Care Using a Person-Centered Approach
Online / 1 Credit Hour
After completing this course, you will be able to identify the skills related to a person-centered approach. You will determine what is important for a consumer/client to inform their caregiving, identify key information needed to create a one-page profile, and analyze the importance of a one-page profile in supporting the consumer/client.
Basic Training 7
Required for Parent Individual Providers (DDA) Parents who take care of their child with a developmental disability.
Languages: English only, but you can request an interpreter.
Module 1: Developmental Disabilities & CARE Assessment
Webinar / 3 Credit Hours
In this course, you can ask questions about the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) CARE assessment, how hours are determined, personal care tasks and eligibility for services.
Family members will learn about the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) CARE Assessment process and how that process influences the determination of personal care hours, waiver eligibility, and levels of support. Participants will also learn how personal care tasks are defined, authorized, and paid by Medicaid. Participants will also develop a greater understanding of additional supports and services provided by the DDA.
Module 2: Planning a Meaningful Life
Webinar / 4 Credit Hours
In this course, you will gain the insight, knowledge and tools to make sure your loved one has a meaningful life now and in the future.
Family members will develop an understanding of systems, services, and community supports that will help them plan a meaningful life for their loved ones, both now and in the future. Participants will be introduced to financial and functional resources, such as the Social Security Administration’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI); supported employment and day services; housing options; legal considerations (guardianship, wills, trusts, and alternatives to guardianship); and other local, state and federal resources.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education (CE) helps you learn more specialized skills to better support those you care for. CE courses are available in-person* or online, so you can learn when it’s convenient for you—and you can get paid for your time.
Caregivers should check with your employer to confirm your CE requirement and due date. Those with a CE requirement must complete 12 hours each year. If you don’t have a requirement, you can still take CE courses online.
Visit the Caregiver Learning Center for the most current list of courses available in your language.
*In-person and webinar courses are only available to caregivers with a CE requirement.
Advanced Training
Advanced Training helps you build skills to support clients with complex needs and grow your caregiving career professionally with a new certification.
Choose between two courses—Behavioral Health or Holistic Health—based on your client’s needs. This 70-hour, 8-week program is only available in English and requires you and your client to meet eligibility requirements.
Get Started in the Caregiver Learning Center
- View your current training requirements.
- Enroll in your required training.
- Explore available Continuing Education courses.
- Complete online courses in multiple languages.
Member Resource Center (MRC)
If you have questions about enrolling, course options or completing training, contact the MRC. Support is available in multiple languages.
Caregiver Learning Center
Get access to your learning benefits in the Caregiver Learning Center on My Benefits. Easily enroll and complete your training online using a computer or smartphone.
Language Support
Classes and course materials are available in many languages. Even if you speak English fluently, a course in your primary language may better set you up for success.
Peer Mentors
If you are a caregiver going through Basic Training and preparing to become a certified Home Care Aide (HCA), you can get guidance and support from Peer Mentors.
