Direct Care Worker Training

CDCT Training Modules     Foundational Skills Training Modules     DirectCareCareers.com Login

Colorado’s Direct Care Learning Center website DirectCareCareers.com offers free self-paced online training modules for Colorado Direct Care Training (CDCT) and Foundational Skills. 

CDCT Training Modules

These standardized training modules support entry-level and specialized direct care roles, with a focus on homemaker and personal care. They cover topics such as basic direct care worker job duties, workplace health and safety, culturally competent care, serving diverse populations respectfully, and cultural awareness and sensitivity. 

Each module provides a certificate of completion, which workers can keep and carry with them as they move between employers, making the training portable and easy to share. Employers are still responsible for providing person-centered, job-specific training and for ensuring workers have the skills needed to meet each member’s needs.

The following list provides information about each CDCT module:

• Communication
• Documenting and Reporting
• Ethics and Legal Issues
• HIPAA and Member Confidentiality
   
• Member and Care Support
  • Assisting with Bathing, Dressing, and Elimination
  • Care and Support for Members at End of Life
  • Care and Support for Members who are Blind or have Low Vision
  • Care and Support for Members who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Care and Support for Members who are Experience Mental and Emotional Challenges
  • Care and Support for Members who have Sensory Processing Concerns
  • Care and Support for Members who have Mobility and Physical Disabilities
  • Care and Support for Older Adult Members
  • Care and Support for Children with Disabilities
  • Care and Support for Members with Dementia
  • Challenges in Caregiving Dynamics
  • General Household Duties as a Direct Care Worker
  • General Oral, Skin, and Nail Care
  • Managing Member Errands, Appointments, and Shopping
  • Nutrition Planning, Preparation, and Assistance
  • Working with Members in their Homes and Communities
     
• Professional Development
  • Building Your Skills as a Professional
  • Common Age Changes
  • Talking about Disability
  • Who are Direct Care Workers?
  • Your Role as an Employee
     
• Safety and Hygiene for Direct Care Workers
  • Basic First Aid
  • Cleaning Procedures
  • Handling Emergencies
  • Infection Control across Work Settings
  • Safe Member Mobility and DCW Body Mechanics
     
• Self Care
  • Wellness and Self-Care for the Direct Care Worker

Foundational Skills Modules

These additional training modules support people who are new to work or new to direct care. These modules provide supplemental training on a variety of topics to help build essential skills.

For example, you can learn the essential role, services, and career pathways of a direct care worker by exploring the Working with Members in their Homes and Communities and Who are Direct Care Workers modules.

You can also learn key safety skills and guidance to protect yourself and the people you support by reviewing the Basic Health and Safety, Infection Control Across Work Settings, Safe Member Mobility and DCW Body Mechanics, Basic First Aid for the DCW, and Handling Emergencies as a DCW modules.

The Care and Support series focuses on providing respectful, person-centered care for diverse populations with a range of needs.

The following list provides information about each Foundational Skills module:

• Applying Support Styles
• Awareness within Different Working Locations
• Collaboration
• Communication within Direct Care and with the Community
• Conflict Resolution and Prevention Strategies
• Creating a Professional Online Presence
• Developing Relationships and Building Rapport
• Enhanced Communication Skills
• Enhanced Decision-Making Skills
• Ethical and Legal Compliance
• Interview Preparation
• Leadership
• Maintaining a Professional Demeanor
• Managing Changes
• Managing Emotions for Better Interactions
• Prioritizing Tasks for Efficiency
• Resume Building
• Self-Care for Direct Care Workers
• Stress Management
• Work-Life Balance

Return to Direct Care Careers informational page