Direct Care Worker Training and Testing Program
AHCCCS has instituted training and testing requirements for Direct Care Workers (DCW) who provide direct care services (Attendant Care, Personal Care and Homemaker) to Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) members residing in their own home.
An entity that wants to train and test DCWs must become an Approved Training and Testing Program (Approved Program). PLEASE NOTE: Direct care service agencies can decide whether or not to become an Approved Program or delegate the responsibility of training and testing DCWs to an Approved Program through a contractual agreement.
Entities that can become Approved Training and Testing Programs are:
- An AHCCCS registered agency that provides Direct Care Services
- A private vocational program, and
- An educational institution (e.g., high school, college or university)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To talk to or email a subject matter expert, contact the DCW helpdesk at dcw@azahcccs.gov or 602-417-4401.
- Read AHCCCS policy for Approved Training and Testing Programs. Chapter 400, Section 429 of the AHCCCS Contractors Operations Manual outlines the minimum program requirements and standards for Approved Programs to ensure uniformity of the training and testing of DCWs and DCW Trainers as well as the portability of testing records.
- Complete and submit the initial application for program approval. The application process can take up to 45 days.
- Prepare to train and test DCWs and/or DCW Trainers using the audit tool as a checklist by the Approved Program to ensure they are compliant with AHCCCS policy.
- Implement Training and Testing.
- Request Standardized Tests.
See complete outline of the process to become an Approved Training and Testing Program.
See more information on how to assist Approved Training and Testing Programs to comply with AHCCCS policy and standards.
See a current listing of Approved Training and Testing Programs. The listing contains the following information on Approved Programs.
- Training and Testing Modules - Fundamentals, Aging and Physical Disabilities (APD) and/or Developmental Disabilities (DD)
- Curriculum utilized for training and testing – “POC” indicates the Approved Program is using the standard Principles of Caregiving Curriculum. The term “Crosswalk” indicates the program is utilizing another curriculum that includes, at a minimum, the DCW competencies addressed in the Principles of Caregiving Curriculum.
- Audit Status – Compliant, Not Compliant or Compliant with Recommendations
- Training and Testing Sites – Main and alternate training and testing sites
- Scope of Services – Whether or not the Approved Program is interested in training and testing Trainers employed by another Approved Program and/or DCWs employed by another DCW Agency.
All AHCCCS provider agencies of direct care services must utilize DCWs who have passed the required competency tests within 90 days of hire unless otherwise exempt from the training and testing requirements (e.g. Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Certified Nurse Aide, or an Assisted Living Facility Caregiver who has successfully completed an approved assisted living facility training program). A direct care service agency has discretion whether or not to allow the DCW to provide care during the 90- day training period. The testing records are portable or transferable from one employer to another. DCWs do not have to pass the tests again unless they have experienced a lapse from working in the direct care field for a minimum of two years. AHCCCS has created an online testing records database to serve as a tool to support the portability or transferability of DCW or DCW Trainer testing records from one employer to another.
See more information to assist Direct Care Services Agencies with complying with AHCCCS policy and standards.
AHCCCS communicates updates on recent developments on the DCW training and testing program and information about the direct care service industry. AHCCCS encourages anyone who is interested in the initiative to sign up to receive the regular communication. To subscribe, follow the instructions below:
- Direct Care Worker Training and Testing Program Policy, Chapter 400, Section 429 of the AHCCCS Contractors Operations Manual
- Direct Care Services (Attendant Care, Personal Care and Homemaker) Policy, Chapter 1200, Section 1240-A (AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual)
