Virginia 40-Hour Personal Care/Home Care Aide Training Program
RN-led • Interactive • Skills-focused • Virginia-oriented
Build the knowledge, communication skills, safety awareness and personal-care skills needed to provide respectful support in the home and community.
This page is a provider-developed educational training platform for NOVA DMV Nurses & Caregivers LLC. It is intended to support applicable Virginia personal-care/home-care aide training requirements. It does not by itself create CNA certification, nursing licensure, or a state professional license. The agency/RN instructor must verify attendance, required hours, competency, records and all requirements applicable to the specific service, payer and program.
- Enter the student's legal name.
- Open each 4-hour module and complete the lesson material.
- Take the module assessment and review the rationale for every answer.
- Complete the RN skills competency checklist with direct instructor verification.
- Complete the final examination.
- Print the completion certificate only after the RN/agency verifies all required training and competency elements.
👩⚕️ Student Registration
📊 Course Progress
0% — Begin by registering your name.
📚 40-Hour Curriculum
Each module represents four curriculum hours. The RN instructor should supplement online learning with discussion, demonstration, return demonstration, observation and agency-specific policies as appropriate.
Orientation, Role, Person-Centered Care & Client Rights
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Describe the role of a personal care/home care aide.
- Explain person-centered care and client choice.
- Protect dignity, privacy and confidentiality.
- Recognize professional boundaries.
- Know when to report concerns to the RN/supervisor.
Core Lesson
Aides support daily living and personal-care needs according to the individual's plan of care and assigned duties. Person-centered care means seeing the person—not just the task. Ask preferences, encourage independence, protect privacy and communicate respectfully.
Never improvise medical care. Follow the plan of care, agency policy and instructions from the appropriate supervising professional.
Privacy, dignity, choice, safety and freedom from abuse.
Active listening, respectful language and clear reporting.
Professional relationships, gifts, money and social media.
Protect health and personal information.
🧠 Module 1 Knowledge Check
1. Person-centered care means:
2. A client asks you to perform a task that is not in your assigned duties. You should:
3. Which action protects confidentiality?
4. A client refuses a planned shower. The aide should first:
Aging, Older-Adult Needs & Changes in Condition
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Describe common age-related changes.
- Recognize concerning changes.
- Support emotional and social needs.
- Report significant changes promptly.
Core Lesson
Some changes occur gradually with aging, but sudden confusion, new weakness, breathing difficulty, chest discomfort, stroke warning signs, significant falls or other acute changes should never simply be labeled “old age.” Observe, document and report according to agency emergency procedures.
Skin, vision, hearing, strength and mobility.
Connection, purpose, respect and independence.
Sudden confusion, weakness, breathing or neurologic changes.
Face the client, speak clearly and confirm understanding.
🧠 Module 2 Knowledge Check
1. Sudden new confusion in an older adult should be:
2. Facial drooping and new slurred speech may indicate:
3. Which approach supports an older adult's independence?
4. When reporting a change, the aide should:
Disabilities, Mobility, Body Mechanics, Transfers & Falls
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Use safe body mechanics.
- Recognize mobility limitations.
- Follow the individualized transfer method.
- Prevent falls and respond appropriately.
Core Lesson
Never use a “one-size-fits-all” transfer. Follow the client's plan of care and the method taught by the RN/qualified instructor. Prepare the environment, explain the task, use prescribed equipment correctly and get assistance when required.
Stable stance, avoid twisting and keep loads close.
Use the prescribed method and equipment.
Lighting, pathways, footwear and environmental hazards.
Use only when trained and according to the care plan.
🧠 Module 3 Knowledge Check
1. During a transfer, the aide should:
2. A client falls. The aide should:
3. Which helps protect the aide's back?
4. A walker should be used:
Personal Care, ADLs, Hygiene & Infection Prevention
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Provide personal care respectfully.
- Use hand hygiene and standard precautions.
- Assist with bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting.
- Protect privacy and skin integrity.
Core Lesson
Personal care is intimate work. Explain what you are doing, obtain cooperation, protect the client's body from unnecessary exposure and encourage the client to do whatever they can safely do. Use infection-prevention practices consistently.
Perform at appropriate moments and after glove removal.
Bathing, grooming, dressing, oral and toileting assistance.
Use according to task and agency policy.
Knock, explain, cover and respect preferences.
🧠 Module 4 Knowledge Check
1. The most important routine infection-prevention practice is:
2. During bathing, the aide should:
3. Gloves replace hand hygiene:
4. If the aide notices a new skin problem, the best action is:
Skin Integrity, Positioning, Pressure Injury Prevention & Elimination
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Recognize pressure-injury risk.
- Follow repositioning plans.
- Provide safe incontinence and toileting assistance.
- Recognize and report skin changes.
Core Lesson
Skin can become fragile with age, immobility, moisture and poor nutrition. Follow the individualized plan for repositioning and skin care. Do not independently diagnose wounds or apply treatments outside assigned duties.
Immobility, moisture, friction and nutrition concerns.
Use the prescribed schedule and technique.
Clean, protect skin and report concerns.
Notice redness, open areas, swelling or drainage.
🧠 Module 5 Knowledge Check
1. A major prevention strategy for pressure injuries is:
2. New open skin should be:
3. During incontinence care, the aide should:
4. Friction and shear can:
Vital Signs, Observation, Emergency Recognition & Reporting
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Understand basic vital-sign measurement when assigned.
- Recognize emergency warning signs.
- Report changes accurately.
- Know when emergency services are appropriate.
Core Lesson
An aide's role is observation, assistance and reporting—not diagnosis. Follow agency emergency procedures. When a life-threatening emergency is suspected, activate emergency response according to training and agency policy.
Temperature, pulse, respirations and other assigned measurements.
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, stroke signs, severe bleeding, choking.
Protect the client and follow the agency procedure.
Objective observations, time and actions taken.
🧠 Module 6 Knowledge Check
1. Aide responsibilities generally include:
2. Which is a possible emergency?
3. A vital sign outside the client's usual range should be:
4. Objective reporting means:
Home Management, Housekeeping, Safety & Client Belongings
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Maintain a safe home environment.
- Perform permitted household tasks appropriately.
- Protect client property.
- Identify common household hazards.
Core Lesson
Home management should support the client's health, safety and plan of care. Tasks should be limited to those assigned and permitted. Respect the client's home and belongings; do not borrow, remove or use property without permission.
Clutter, loose rugs, cords, poor lighting and slippery surfaces.
Keep exits clear and follow emergency procedures.
Use appropriate products safely and according to agency policy.
Protect property and maintain professional boundaries.
🧠 Module 7 Knowledge Check
1. Which is a common fall hazard?
2. Client belongings should be:
3. Household chemicals should be:
4. The safest response to an unfamiliar home hazard is to:
Nutrition, Food Safety, Meal Preparation & Special Diets
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Explain basic nutrition and hydration.
- Prepare food safely.
- Follow assigned dietary instructions.
- Recognize swallowing and nutrition concerns.
Core Lesson
Meal preparation must follow the client's plan of care and dietary instructions. Practice clean hands, safe food handling, prevention of cross-contamination and safe storage. Do not independently prescribe or change a diet.
Clean hands, surfaces and utensils; prevent cross-contamination.
Support fluids as allowed and report concerns.
Follow instructions exactly; do not improvise.
Recognize coughing/choking or changes and report promptly.
🧠 Module 8 Knowledge Check
1. Cross-contamination can be reduced by:
2. If a client has a prescribed special diet, the aide should:
3. A new swallowing problem should be:
4. A safe meal-preparation practice is:
Safety, Accident Prevention, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Prevent common household accidents.
- Recognize abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- Know how to report concerns.
- Respond to emergencies according to policy.
Core Lesson
Clients receiving care may be vulnerable to physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse, neglect or exploitation. The aide's responsibility is to recognize warning signs, protect immediate safety and follow the required reporting chain. Do not investigate on your own.
Physical, emotional, sexual and financial harm.
Failure to provide necessary care or protection.
Improper use of a client's money or property.
Protect, activate emergency response and report.
🧠 Module 9 Knowledge Check
1. If an aide suspects abuse, the aide should:
2. Financial exploitation may include:
3. In an immediate life-threatening emergency, the aide should:
4. Professional boundaries help:
Documentation, Service Records, EVV Awareness & Final Professional Practice
4 HOURS+Learning Objectives
- Document accurately and objectively.
- Understand service records and time documentation.
- Understand EVV awareness where applicable.
- Recognize documentation errors and fraud risks.
Core Lesson
Documentation should reflect what actually happened: services provided, observations, relevant client statements and required times. Never document a service that was not provided or falsify time. Follow the agency's documentation and EVV procedures.
Facts, observations and client statements—not insults or diagnoses.
Record actual service time according to policy.
Use the required system accurately when applicable.
Correct errors through the agency's approved process.
🧠 Module 10 Knowledge Check
1. Which note is most objective?
2. A service record should reflect:
3. If you make a documentation error, you should:
4. Falsifying service time is:
🧤 RN Skills Competency Checklist
These checkboxes are not a substitute for direct observation. The RN/instructor should mark skills only after the student demonstrates the skill according to agency policy, the individual's needs and the applicable plan of care.
🏆 Final Comprehensive Examination
20 questions • 80% suggested passing score • rationales shown after submission
For an official agency record, retain the final examination result and any required instructor documentation. A passing online score does not replace hands-on competency verification.
💬 Student Feedback
🎉 Training Record Ready for RN Review
The online assessments have been completed. The RN/agency must verify the required 40 curriculum hours, attendance, skills competency and any agency-specific requirements before issuing the final completion documentation.
Certificate of Training Completion
This certifies that
has completed the
Virginia 40-Hour Personal Care/Home Care Aide Training Program
Curriculum: 40 Hours | Final Examination: —
Completion Date: —
RN Instructor: ________________________________
RN Signature: ____________________________________
This certificate is a provider training completion record. It is not a CNA certificate, nursing license or other professional license. Official completion is subject to RN/agency verification of required training hours, attendance, skills competency and applicable Virginia/program requirements.
Keep the student's completed training record, examination results, skills competency documentation, instructor information and certificate documentation according to your agency's record-retention policy and the requirements applicable to the service/program.
NOVA DMV Nurses & Caregivers LLC • northernvirginianurses.com • RN-led educational training platform. Verify current Virginia requirements before relying on this page for regulatory compliance.