Building an in-house training program gives your agency a competitive advantage — better-trained caregivers, lower turnover, and reduced liability.
Why Build Your Own Program?
- Control quality — train to your standards, not minimums
- Reduce costs — eliminate per-student fees
- Faster onboarding — start training immediately
- Competitive advantage — attract caregivers who value development
- Lower turnover — employees who receive quality training stay longer
Step 1: Research State Requirements
Key Questions
- How many total training hours does your state require?
- What specific topics must be covered?
- How many hours must be clinical/practical?
- Who qualifies as a training instructor?
- Does your program need state approval?
- Are there examination requirements?
Where to Find Answers
- State Department of Health website
- State Administrative Code — search "home health aide training"
- State Board of Nursing
- CMS Conditions of Participation (42 CFR 484.80)
Step 2: Develop Your Curriculum
Module 1: Orientation (8 hours)
Role of the caregiver, agency policies, professional ethics, communication, cultural sensitivity
Module 2: Safety and Infection Control (8 hours)
Hand hygiene, PPE, bloodborne pathogens, fall prevention, fire safety, food handling
Module 3: Patient Care Skills (24 hours)
Vital signs, personal care, nutrition, hydration, skin care, bed-making
Module 4: Mobility and Body Mechanics (8 hours)
Proper body mechanics, ambulation, transfers, positioning, range of motion, assistive devices
Module 5: Special Populations (8 hours)
Dementia care, mental health, chronic conditions, pediatrics, end-of-life
Module 6: Documentation (4 hours)
Documentation requirements, reporting changes, incident reporting, HIPAA
Module 7: Clinical Practicum (16+ hours)
Supervised patient care under RN observation, skills demonstration, competency evaluation
Step 3: Hire Qualified Instructors
Most states require: - RNs for clinical training supervision - LPNs may assist under RN oversight - Subject matter experts for specialized topics
Typical ratios: Classroom 1:20, Skills lab 1:8, Clinical 1:4–1:6
Step 4: Create Training Materials
- Student manual covering all topics
- Skills checklists with step-by-step procedures
- Competency evaluation tools
- Videos demonstrating proper techniques
- Case studies for discussion
Step 5: Obtain State Approval
Many states require submission of curriculum outline, instructor qualifications, clinical site arrangements, and competency evaluation methods. Allow 30–90 days for approval.
Step 6: Implement and Track
Schedule Options
- Full-time intensive: 2–3 weeks
- Part-time: 4–6 weeks, evenings/weekends
- Rolling enrollment: new cohorts every 2 weeks
Record-Keeping
Maintain enrollment dates, attendance, exam scores, skills checklists, final evaluations, and completion certificates for each trainee.
Get Started
Book a Free Clarity Call → — Discuss your training program needs.
Watch Our Free Webinar → — Learn the complete launch process.
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Information is for educational purposes. Verify requirements with your state's licensing authority.