Caregiver training requirements in Virginia

Virginia does not set a number of training hours for non-medical caregivers. Home attendants providing personal care must meet one qualification, such as completing the DMAS Personal Care Aide Training Curriculum, a Board of Nursing-approved nurse aide program, nurse aide certification, or a competency evaluation meeting 42 CFR 484.36(b). New staff must be oriented on topics including confidentiality, client rights, abuse reporting, emergency preparedness, and infection control.

How many hours of training are required?

What ongoing training is required?

The organization must provide and record staff development activities; no annual hour minimum is set.

What should you confirm with the state?

Training hours for the required DMAS curriculum aren't stated in the regulation; confirm the current requirement with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Licensure and Certification. Companion-only or homemaker-only programs that don't help with activities of daily living may be exempt from licensing. The rule requires a State Police criminal record report and doesn't mention fingerprints.

Is training time paid?

Yes. Required training for caregivers you employ is hours worked, so it is paid and counts toward overtime. Add training hours to each caregiver's weekly total with the overtime calculator and track them on the schedule template.