Personal Care Attendant, Certificate of Achievement

School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)

The Personal Care Attendant Certificate of Achievement fulfills the New Mexico Department of Health training requirements to enter the workforce, or care for family members, as a Personal Care Attendant. Training includes CPR, first Aid and safety, HIPPA, standard precautions, personal care skill building, communication, documentation, cultural diversity, and care of the elderly, ill and disabled client. The courses in the Certificate also lay the foundation to becoming a Home Health aide through the Home Health Aide Certificate of Achievement. 

See Recommended Sequence of Courses

Educational Option Information

• This educational option is an: Certificate of Achievement
• This educational option can be completed: In one term
• This educational option is designed for: Persons who wish to assist the elderly, disabled and or those convalescing in their homes with activities of daily living and non-medical tasks such as dressing, bathing, housekeeping, food preparation and helping with ambulation and transfer from sitting to standing, bed to wheelchair, etc.
• This educational option can be started: Any Term
• Primary course location: Main Campus

Approximate Costs of this Educational Option

• Cost of Attendance
• Tuition
• Books
• Program and Course Fees

Financial Aid Considerations

• This program is NOT  financial aid eligible.
  • FA Ineligible Programs at CNM
  • Although the program is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, there are some possible outside funding options (i.e. VA, DVR, institutional funding, etc.). For more information go to http://www.cnm.edu/depts/financial-aid.

Special Requirements

Physical Requirements

Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Persons must be able to communicate orally, lift and move persons and see, hear, and recognize client problems.  Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities, however, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.

Felony Conviction

Persons with felony convictions may participate in this classroom and lab-based educational opportunity however, employers will conduct state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints during the hiring process.

Educational Opportunities

Persons who complete this Certificate of Achievement can apply the credits towards the Home Health Aide Certificate of Achievement. Additionally, this program provides a basic foundation to relating and doing well in more advanced healthcare and social assistance training programs such as nursing assistant, patient care attendant, nursing, community health worker or social work.

Career Opportunities

ONet Online projects a large number of job openings in New Mexico, at least 1000 jobs per year, during 2014 to 2024. It is an occupation that is growing much faster than average due to the aging population.

Graduates of the program can work privately or for home care and personal caregiver agencies full-time, part-time or on an as needed (prn) basis.