Personal Care Aide Program
NOVA Nursing Academy`s Personal Care Aide Program is designed for individuals seeking to gain employment as a personal care provider.The Personal Care Aide Program at our academy is designed in such a way that it enables students to learn how to care for the patients at their own homes rather than at a hospital or a healthcare center. The course is aimed at teaching ways to provide emotional support to the patients so that they can live their life with positivity. PCA specialists must be equipped with the skills to provide complete physical support to those suffering from physical challenges and this is what our course teaches best. We equip our students with the knowledge and practice of assisting clients with activities of daily living.
The Program consists of classroom sessions as well as hand on training in our clinical Lab.
NOVA Nursing Academy will help prepare students in the program for a wide range of opportunities in a healthcare career.
To be fully competent as Personal Care Aides, we train individuals through a 40-hour course that involves but is not limited to:
- Essential Caregiving and Personal Care Procedures
- Roles and Responsibilities of a Personal care Aide
- Dealing with the Patient and Family Members
- Elderly Care
- Incontinent Care
- Mobility Support / Ambulation
- Oxygen Therapy
- Nutrition
- Fall Prevention
- Monitoring Vital Signs
Our Personal Care Aide Program (PCA) is approved by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) the state agency that administers Medicaid.
Students are offered a formal training session so that they can demonstrate competency in skills in advance. This is done under a registered nurse’s supervision. Our course has been highly successful in preparing students for entry level employment in the healthcare industry. This Program is appropriate both for the paid, professional caregiver as well as for family caregivers who are stepping into caregiving roles for loved ones.
Sample Personal Care Aide Certification Course Outline
Total Personal Care Aid Certification course is 40 hours in length.
NOVA Nursing Academy`s s PCA Certification course consists of :
I. The Elderly
- Physical and Biological Aspects of Aging
- Psychological Aspects of Aging
- Physical and Emotional Needs of the Elderly
- Critical Situations that the Personal/Respite Care Aide may be Involved
- Orientation to Types of Physical Disabilities of Handicaps
II. Personal Care and Rehabilitative Services
- Body Mechanics
- Limitations on the Personal/Respite Care Aide Activities
- Techniques used by Personal/Respite Care Aide
- Goals of Personal Care
- Prevention of Skin Breakdown
- Vital Signs
III. Safety and Accident Prevention in the Home
- Common Types of Accidents
- Accident Prevention
- Typical Hazards in the Home
- Ways to safety-Proof the Home
- Policies and Procedures Regarding Accidents or Injuries
IV. Food, Nutrition, and Meal Preparation
- Importance of Nutrition to the Individual
- General Concept of Planning Meals
- Special Considerations of Normal Diet
- Special Considerations in Preparation of Special Diets
- Food Purchasing and Preparation
- Food Storage and Sanitation
- Documentation Requirements for Medicaid Recipients
V. Aide Records
VI. Provider Agency Plan of Care
Requirements for Enrolment to NOVA Nursing Academy PCA Program:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- All information must be submitted with payment prior to the start of class
- Arrive on time daily
- Wear nursing scrubs
- Have a professional appearance and attitude
- Be ready to learn