Prepare to Care: Health Support Professional

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Health Support Professional

Your Path to Becoming a Direct Care Worker

Want to become a Direct Care Worker and help others? In this fun and interactive program, you'll learn the skills needed to care for people, meet their basic needs, and help them stay healthy.

You’ll practice in a safe environment with hands-on lab activities that will get you ready to earn certifications as a Prepare to Care Health Support Professional. You'll also be ready to take the Certified Nurse Aide state test and get placed on the Direct Care Worker Registry.

This training also gives you the knowledge and skills to explore other healthcare careers, like nursing, if you want to keep learning and growing in the field.

Core

Obtain basic knowledge and an introduction to the direct care profession. Core competencies include:

Professionalism
Person-Centered Approach
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Infection Control
Documentation
Mobility Assistance and Worker Safety

Personal Activities of Daily Living

Services to assist and individual in meeting their basic needs.

Health Monitoring and Maintenance

Services that support and maintain an individual's health and provide functional support for certain conditions.

Prepare to Care is a statewide training program that offers flexible career pathways in direct care, one of Iowa’s fastest-growing fields. Direct care professionals, including nurse aides, home health aides, and personal care attendants, provide hands-on support in homes, hospitals, and care facilities. The training is open to both experienced workers and those new to the field.

This program is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, but other funding options may be available. We'll help you with the options.

Discover your funding options!

Health Support Professional at a Glance

Degree

Workplace Certificate

Length of Study

10 Weeks

Course Format

Face-to-Face, Online

Classes Meet

Daytime

Program Start

Fall, Spring, Summer

See all Nursing options at Hawkeye

Your Health Support Professional Career

As a health support professional , you work in mulitple settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities providing basic care and support to people of all ages with health conditions, illnesses, and disabilities. Graduates may find jobs as: