The High School Home Care Aide (HCA) course, a collaboration between Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, is designed to prepare students for employment as a Home Care Aide while earning credit toward high school graduation. Using the academic foundation of medical terminology and knowledge of the life sciences, students will demonstrate technical skill competency in real-life caregiving situations.
For high school programs, the 90-hour course covers the core foundational knowledge and skills for Health Science, aligned with National Health Science Standards from the National Consortium for Health Science Education, as well as DSHS requirements.
To learn more, visit our Course Content Overview. (A full framework is available upon request).
High School students who participate in the Home Care Aide Training can earn high school credits and prepare and take their HCA certification exams (available in English and 12 other languages). When they turn 18, with their HCA credentials, they can begin working in a valuable and vital position featuring career growth potential in the expanding health care field with employers across Washington state.
To begin working as a paid HCA in Washington state, individuals must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Pass a background check.
- Complete the Home Care Aide training.
- Pass skills and knowledge exams.
- Apply for and retain a home care aide credential (issued by WA State Department of Health).
To offer the High School Home Care Aide course, schools must:
- Hire an instructor who meets both DSHS and OSPI requirements as defined here (WAC 388-112A-1245).
- Obtain OSPI approval of their CTE Framework.
- Provide the equipment and supplies required to teach the course content.
- Apply to DSHS to be approved and contracted to deliver training.
Additional Resources Available Upon Request:
- Career and Technical Education model framework
- Resource Guide
Contact information: If you are interested in the High School HCA training program at your school or would like more information, reach out to either of the following contacts.
Carly Seagren
DSHS Workforce Development High School Liaison
Email: carly.seagren@dshs.wa.gov
Phone: 360.584.3271
OSPI Career & Technical Education
Email: cte@k12.wa.us
Phone: 360.725.6245
A High School Home Care Aide Training Program flyer is also available to open, print and share with schools that may want to consider adding this program to their academic curriculum.