New Worker Training
Providers Transitioning from an Agency
There are many benefits to becoming a PSW including healthcare cost assistance, paid time off, dental, vision, and an employee assistance program. Learn more.
Transitioning from an agency can be daunting. Carewell is here to help you transition to a new role as seamlessly as possible.
You will start with a 6-hour, virtual, trainer-led New Worker Orientation webinar. You must complete this before you are approved to work.
Orientation is followed by 8 hours of self-paced, online New Worker Core training. You will need to complete the New Worker Core training within the first 120 days of receiving your provider number.
You will need to pass an assessment after each section of training.
And with Carewell Kicks, a new benefit from Carewell SEIU 503, you’ll be eligible for a free pair of slip-resistant shoes once you complete New Worker Training.
Be sure to complete an application before you begin training. Applications can be found on the Oregon Home Care Commission (OHCC) Workforce application page.
New Worker Flyer (PDF) 简体中文(Chinese (Simplified)), Русский(Russian), Español(Spanish), Tiếng Việt(Vietnamese), 한국어(Korean), العربية(Arabic), Soomaali(Somali)
Ready to begin New Worker Training?
Have you already registered?
Register in your preferred language:
简体中文(Chinese (Simplified)), Русский(Russian), Español(Spanish), Tiếng Việt(Vietnamese), 한국어(Korean), العربية(Arabic), Soomaali(Somali)
Training takes place in three parts:
1: New Worker Orientation
Style
Online, Trainer-Led
Duration
6 hours
(Plus an optional 30 minutes to take the assessment)
When
Before employment, within 45 days of submitting an application
Assessment?
Yes. Must pass with 75% or higher in 3 attempts.
What Training Covers
New Worker Orientation covers the foundations of care providing and how to provide person-centered services. Topics include:
- Consumer rights and confidentiality
- Providing in-scope services
- Rules, regulations, and how to receive pay
- Medication management
- Mandatory reporting and preventing abuse
- Safety
- Your benefits
2: New Worker Core Part 1
Style
Online, Self-Paced
Duration
4 hours
When
Within 120 days of receiving provider number
Assessment?
Yes. Must pass with 75% or higher in 3 attempts.
What Training Covers
New Worker Core Part 1 builds on Orientation. Topics include:
- Concepts supporting person-centered services
- Care provider safety
- Consumer safety
- Nutrition
- Promoting healthy hygiene practices
- Promoting community involvement
3: New Worker Core Part 2
Style
Online, Self-Paced
Duration
4 hours
When
Within 120 days of receiving provider number
Assessment?
Yes. Must pass with 75% or higher in 3 attempts.
What Training Covers
New Worker Core Part 2 focuses on strengthening communication and problem-solving skills. Topics include:
- Understanding communication styles
- Building communication skills
- Active listening
- Compassion fatigue
- Self-care
Benefits of Becoming a PSW
Do I get paid for training?
Yes. Care providers are issued a stipend after full completion of New Worker Training. New Worker Training consists of 3 courses: New Worker Orientation, New Worker Core Part 1, and New Worker Core Part 2.
To qualify for a stipend payment, all New Worker Training courses must be completed within 120 days of receiving a provider number from the State of Oregon.
The current stipend for New Worker Training is $273.
Are there other benefits for completing training?
Yes. Upon completion of all New Worker Training courses, you are eligible for a free pair of slip-resistant shoes through our Carewell Kicks program. Carewell Kicks are 100% free, keep you safe on the job, are comfortable and slip-resistant, and are available in more than 70 styles from popular brands like Reebok and Sketchers.
Can I become a PSW while still providing services through an agency as a DSP?
Yes! You can take the steps to become a PSW (complete application and training requirements) and continue to work hours through an agency if you wish. Completing these steps early will allow you to start work as a PSW quickly with no interruption to service for your client if they need or choose to leave the agency and receive services through the state.
Will I get Paid Time Off (PTO) as a PSW?
We know taking time off work is crucial to your physical, mental, and emotional health! That’s why Carewell SEIU 503 offers eligible care providers up to 48 hours of PTO benefits every year. You can earn 1 hour of PTO for every 20 hours worked, up to a maximum of 4 hours of PTO benefits every month.
Will I get medical benefits as a PSW?
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You must enroll in a Carewell-approved individual medical plan purchased through the Marketplace or be enrolled in Medicare.
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Providers transitioning from a private agency to become a PSW may use recent hours worked at the private agency to qualify for these benefits. You must have worked 40 hours or more in 2 of the last 3 months to be eligible (see other eligibility requirements and details for how to apply here).
What about other benefits?
PSWs may be eligible for additional benefits, including:
- Dental insurance. Coverage through Kaiser Permanente Dental that pays for most basic services (like cleanings or fillings) with no monthly premium. You also have coverage for a portion of other services (like root canals).
- Vision and Hearing insurance. Vision and hearing benefits with no monthly premium.
- Employee Assistance Program. Assistance and resources — from help with your taxes to free counseling — for dealing with issues that affect work, home, or family life.
How do I know if I’m eligible for benefits?
For providers transitioning from a private agency to work as a PSW with the State of Oregon, hours recently worked at the private agency may count toward the eligibility requirements below. You will need to provide pay stubs showing hours worked for the last 2 months.
Training FAQs
Is there a training requirement? What if I already took training at my agency?
Yes. PSWs are required to take New Worker Training, and it covers important topics, like how to track your time and get paid.
The total length of New Worker Training is about 14 hours.
New Worker Orientation is available as an online, instructor-led course, or as in-person course, and takes about 6 hours including breaks. There is also an optional 30-minute session after New Worker Orientation to take the required assessment.
New Worker Core Part 1 and New Worker Core Part 2 are each about 4 hours long for a total of 8 hours of self-paced modules that you can complete on a schedule that works best for you. Core Part 1 and Core Part 2 must be completed within 120 days of receiving your provider number from the State of Oregon.
How do I sign up for training?
- Register in the Carewell Learning Portal.
- Create a profile and sign up for New Worker Orientation. You can log in from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Follow instructions in the learning portal on how to complete training.
*Please note that you will need a valid email address to get started.
When can I begin the training?
You can begin New Worker Orientation after you’ve submitted an application. You can start New Worker Core Part 1 and New Worker Core Part 2 after you have completed New Worker Orientation, passed a background check, and received your provider number from the Department of Human Services (DHS) or the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
New Worker Core Parts 1 and 2 must be completed within 120 days of receiving your provider number.
Do you provide language assistance?
Yes. You can register for training in the following languages:
- Spanish
- Russian
- Vietnamese
- Chinese (simplified written, Mandarin voice-overs; traditional written, Cantonese voice-overs coming soon)
- Arabic
- Korean (Orientation only, New Worker Core is coming soon)
When you take online New Worker Orientation, you will either meet with a trainer who speaks one of these languages or take the course with an interpreter and an English-speaking trainer.
Once you’re registered for training in one of these languages, you should automatically see training in your preferred language.
If your preferred language isn’t available, please reach out to us for support. We can help you find an option that works for you. Please call 971-801-8734 or email CarewellSEIU503Training@RISEpartnership.com to let us know which training you’re taking and the language you prefer.
Where can I find help?
We’re here to assist you! You can find more information on our website, CarewellSEIU503.org/transition or email us at CarewellSEIU503Training@RISEpartnership.com. You can call us at 971-801-8734 where representatives are available between 8am and 6pm Monday through Friday.
New Worker Orientation
Are you ready to get started? Visit the Carewell Learning Portal to register today!
Please see this guide for assistance with the registration page if your preferred language is not English.