The Personal Care Aide Transition to Home Health Aide (PCA to HHA) program is designed for certified Personal Care Aides who wish to upgrade their skills and credentials to become Home Health Aides. This transition course focuses on the additional competencies required by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to perform more advanced client care duties in home healthcare environments.
Students will receive supplemental training in areas such as basic healthcare procedures, infection control, vital sign measurement, nutrition, and emergency response. The program combines classroom instruction and hands-on lab practice to ensure competency and confidence in performing HHA-level tasks. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible for entry in the New York State Home Care Registry as Home Health Aides.
What you will learn in this course:
• Overview of Home Health Aide roles and responsibilities
• Infection control and safety procedures
• Measuring temperature, pulse, and respiration
• Nutrition, meal planning, and feeding techniques
• Maintaining client comfort and independence
• Reporting and recording client observations
• Supporting clients with mobility and exercise
• Assisting with medications and medical equipment
• Emergency response and first aid procedures
• Professional ethics and client confidentiality
Admission Requirements:
1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Present a valid government-issued photo identification.
3. Copy of your Personal Care Aide Certicate of completion.
4. Submit a High School Diploma, High School Equivalency (GED). Applicants who do not possess a High School Diploma or GED must successfully pass the school’s Entrance Examination.
Note: An HHA may work as a PCA; however, a PCA cannot work as an HHA.
Section 1: Morning 1 Week | Section 2: Afternoon 2 Weeks | Section 3: Evening 2 Weeks | Section 3: Saturdays 6 Weeks |
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| Jan 13 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Jan 18 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Feb 10 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Feb 29 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Mar 09 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Mar 28 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Apr 13 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Apr 25 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| May 11 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | May 30 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Jun 08 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Jun 27 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Jul 13 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Jul 25 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Aug 10 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Aug 29 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Sep 14 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Sep 26 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Oct 05 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Oct 31 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Nov 09 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Nov 28 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
| Dec 14 | Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM | Monday-Friday 6:00 PM-10:30 PM | Dec 19 | Saturday or Sunday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM | ||
PCA to HHA Transition Program Overview
Upgrade existing Personal Care Aide skills with supplemental classroom and hands-on training for Home Health Aide responsibilities.
What You Will Learn
Vital Signs and Client Observations
Measure temperature, pulse and respiration, and report client observations.
Infection Control and Safety
Apply safe practices, emergency response and first-aid awareness.
Nutrition, Comfort and Mobility
Support meals, independence, exercise, transfers and client comfort.
Medications and Medical Equipment
Learn appropriate assistance, ethics and confidentiality within the HHA role.
Admission Requirements
A Personal Care Aide certificate of completion is required in addition to the age, identification and education requirements listed on the page.
Home Care Registry Eligibility
The page states that successful graduates are eligible for entry as Home Health Aides, subject to current New York State requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PCA to HHA transition program?
It is supplemental training for certified Personal Care Aides who want to develop the additional competencies required for Home Health Aide duties.
Who is eligible for the transition course?
The page requires applicants to be at least 18, provide identification, submit a PCA certificate of completion, and meet the listed education or entrance-exam requirement.
Do I need a PCA certificate?
Yes. A copy of the Personal Care Aide certificate of completion is listed as an admission requirement.
What skills are taught?
Training covers HHA responsibilities, infection control, vital signs, nutrition, comfort, reporting, mobility, medication assistance, medical equipment, emergencies, ethics and confidentiality.
Does training include hands-on practice?
Yes. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory practice.
Will I learn to measure vital signs?
Yes. Temperature, pulse and respiration measurements are included.
Does the course cover medications?
The listed curriculum includes assisting with medications and medical equipment within the appropriate HHA role and supervision.
How long is the PCA to HHA course?
The schedule table lists a one-week morning option, two-week afternoon and evening options, and a six-week weekend option. Payment-plan headings show slightly different weekday durations; confirm with IDI.
What schedules are available?
The page lists morning, afternoon, evening and Saturday or Sunday formats. Contact IDI for current dates and availability.
How much does the transition program cost?
The page lists a total cost of $799, including training, books and supplies. Confirm current pricing and inclusions with IDI.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. Daily, evening and weekend payment arrangements are shown on the page.
Can an HHA work as a PCA?
The page states that an HHA may work as a PCA, while a PCA cannot work as an HHA without the appropriate HHA qualification.
Will graduates enter the New York State Home Care Registry?
The page states that successful graduates are eligible for entry as Home Health Aides. Registry requirements and approval remain subject to current New York State rules.
Where can an HHA work?
HHA-level skills support client care in home healthcare environments. Employer and registry requirements vary.
How do I register?
Use the pre-registration page or request program information to confirm eligibility, the next class and payment options.
