Becoming a certified Home Care Worker (HCW) or Personal Support Worker (PSW) in Oregon offers a clear path into a career supporting older adults and people with disabilities in their homes. This field provides meaningful work assisting individuals with daily living activities, promoting independence, and enhancing quality of life. The process is standardized by the state, requiring specific steps to ensure all workers possess the necessary skills and qualifications to provide quality care for clients funded by Medicaid or Oregon Project Independence.
Understanding the Types of Care Workers in Oregon
The Oregon care system formally recognizes two distinct roles that perform similar non-medical support functions: Home Care Workers (HCWs) and Personal Support Workers (PSWs). Both assist clients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and transportation. The primary difference lies in the client population and employment structure.
HCWs generally provide in-home care for older adults and individuals with physical disabilities through the DHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. PSWs specifically support children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities through the DHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. While HCWs often work for state-contracted agencies, PSWs are frequently employed directly by the client under a consumer-directed care model. Both roles are represented by the Oregon Home Care Commission (OHCC) and must meet the same foundational requirements for registration and training.
Initial Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must meet several mandatory prerequisites established by the state before training and registration. These standards ensure that every worker is legally qualified and prepared to handle the responsibilities of the role.
Age and Legal Status
The minimum age requirement for both a Home Care Worker and a Personal Support Worker in Oregon is 18 years old. Applicants must also be legally authorized to work in the United States. This authorization is confirmed during the enrollment process, often by completing the federal Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9) in person at a local office.
Background Check Clearance
A mandatory criminal history background check (CHBC) is required for all applicants seeking to become a paid care provider in Oregon. The state’s Background Check Unit (BCU), a shared service of the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority, administers this check using a system called ORCHARDS. Clearance of this background check is required for placement on the state registry and subsequent employment.
Required Education and Competency
The state requires applicants to demonstrate basic literacy and communication skills to effectively perform their duties, including understanding care plans and communicating with clients and case managers. While a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate is not strictly required, applicants must be capable of performing the essential functions to safely provide the necessary services, or be capable of learning those functions.
Completing Required Training and Orientation
Once the initial eligibility requirements are met, applicants must complete the state-mandated training curriculum and orientation, which is overseen by the Oregon Home Care Commission. This training is designed to standardize the knowledge and skills of the home care workforce across the state. This educational component must be completed before the final registration can be issued.
New workers must first attend a mandatory orientation, which typically lasts around six hours and must be completed before an applicant is approved to work. This orientation provides foundational information on roles and responsibilities, professionalism, universal precautions, confidentiality, fraud prevention, and the worker’s responsibility as a mandatory reporter.
Following orientation, the applicant is required to complete the eight-hour New Worker Core training within 120 days of receiving their provider number. This training consists of self-paced online modules and assessments that develop the worker’s skills in practical application. Content covered includes client rights, ethics, safety protocols, managing medicines, and providing assistance with personal care and Activities of Daily Living.
State Registration and Enrollment Process
The state registration and enrollment process is managed by the Oregon Home Care Commission (OHCC). This process formally places the applicant on the OHCC Registry, which is mandatory for being authorized to work and receive payment.
The process begins with submitting a complete application and a provider enrollment agreement to a service delivery office. Simultaneously, the mandatory criminal history background check is administered; the applicant must watch for an email from ORCHARDS to complete the online steps. Once the background check is cleared and orientation is completed, the applicant is issued a six-digit provider number. This number signifies that the individual is officially enrolled, authorized to begin seeking employment, and required to complete the core training within 120 days.
Finding Employment and Securing Final Certification
With a provider number and completed core training, the applicant can begin seeking employment. Registered applicants find work through various channels, including managed care organizations, state-contracted agencies, or directly with clients through consumer-directed programs. The OHCC Registry and Referral System (RRS) is a resource where authorized workers can update their availability and be referred to prospective consumer-employers.
Final state certification is often tied to completing a probationary period or a certain amount of supervised work experience after initial employment. For instance, certifications that increase wages, such as the Professional Development Certification, require active employment and the completion of additional training courses. The ongoing process of employment and professional development leads to full career establishment and access to advanced certification opportunities.
Maintaining Certification and Continuing Education
To maintain an active provider number and continue employment, Home Care Workers and Personal Support Workers must adhere to continuing education requirements set by the state. Certification requires ongoing professional development throughout the worker’s career to ensure providers keep their skills and knowledge current with evolving standards of care.
Workers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their provider number. These continuing education units (CEUs) cover a broad range of topics relevant to in-home care. The Oregon Home Care Commission also offers voluntary certifications, such as the Professional Development Certification, which can exempt a worker from the standard continuing education requirement as long as the certification is maintained.