Certified Home Caregiver Training

The Schmieding Certified Home Caregiver Training is a unique program designed to teach you to care for an older adult in the home. Training is divided into four courses. Each course enables you to advance your caregiving skills and competency. Courses are taught by nurses and other health care professionals.

Elder Pal (EP)

25 Hours - $150.00
EPs provide companionship, safety, and support for those needing supervision or minimal assistance. EPs help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, and meal preparation.

Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

25 Hours - $120.00
PCAs provide "hands-on" personal care for those who need minimal to moderate assistance, such as giving a complete bed bath and checking vital signs. Prerequisite: Elder Pal

Home Care Assistant (HCA)

50 Hours - $200.00
HCA's provide "hands-on" personal care for persons needing moderate to maximum assistance. Graduates can perform services for home health agencies and other settings under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Prerequisite: Personal Care Assistant

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia (AD)

16 Hours - $75.00
Provides you with information about the needs and care of a person with dementia including communication techniques, activities of daily living, and safety considerations.

Geriatric Home Caregiver (GHC)

GHC is the title earned by graduates who have successfully completed all four courses. Graduates are eligible to challenge the state certification examination for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).

Learning Environment

Caregiving skills are taught in a home-like environment that prepares you to work in a home setting. Nurses and other health care professionals teach the courses and use a variety of teaching methods to enhance your learning experience. Class sizes are limited to 14 students per course so that each student is able to receive the individualized attention that they deserve.

Course Curriculum

The Schmieding curriculum fulfills the training requirements of the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care, Arkansas Medicaid Personal Care Training Program, Rules and Regulations for Home Health Agencies in Arkansas and Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies from the Federal Register.

Caregiver Directory

The Caregiver Directory is a list of graduates who are interested in providing home care. It serves as a link between a graduate of the Schmieding program and individuals who are seeking to hire a professionally trained caregiver. There is no cost to sign up; however, graduates are required to attend 12 hours on continuing education each year to remain on the directory.

How to Sign-Up

All interested persons must attend a General Information Session (GIS) before submitting an application. GIS participants will learn about the Schmieding Certified Home Caregiver Program as well as the application process. As part of the application process, we will take down and call on your references and conduct a personal interview with you. If your application is approved, you will have the opportunity to reserve your spot in the training program. For a schedule of upcoming sessions, please visit our calendar of events or give us a call at (479) 751-3043 ext. 248.