What you need to know about the WisCaregivers CDCP program
Do you feel rewarded in your current job? Are you looking to make a difference in people’s lives? Would you like to learn skills to help others?
It has never been easier to learn the fundamental skills needed for a fulfilling career in health care. WisCaregiver Careers is a free program to train and reward caring individuals like you. If you are interested in getting in early on the direct care professional certification opportunity, sign up for CDCP training today.
Benefits of enrolling in the Wisconsin CDCP program
WisCaregiver Careers will make it easy for you to follow your dreams and enter the health care field. All caring individuals can sign up no matter their age or work experience.
Important features of this free program include:
- Free online training
- $500 bonus
- Skill development in 14 competency areas
- Certification as a certified direct care professional (CDCP)
- Official listing in Wisconsin’s certified direct care professional registry
- Certification to work in a wide variety of settings
- Connections to employment options across Wisconsin
Becoming a certified direct care professional is a good step towards a rewarding health care career. The certification enables you to give back to the community by serving seniors and people living with disability.
Moreover, direct care professionals are in high demand, meaning you can get a job immediately after certification. Assuming you are looking to take the CDCP certification program, here are the basics to get you started.
What will I learn in the WisCaregiver Careers CDCP program?
WisCaregiver Careers CDCP is a workforce development program launched by the state of Wisconsin to address the scarcity of homecare workers. Particularly, this program trains and certifies individuals who wish to care for seniors and people with disabilities.
Unlike many programs, the CDCP certification is free. Thus, any Wisconsin resident passionate about caregiving can take the program without budget limitations. Even better, the CDCP classes are offered online so that you can take them at your own pace.
What is offered under the CDCP Workforce Development Program?
This free caregiver certification program covers various essential topics, including communication skills, health and wellness practices, self-development strategies, and crisis prevention techniques.
This program gives you all the skills to provide quality home care services. The CDCP course typically takes around 30 hours to complete. Upon course completion, you will be prepared to take your certification exam.
Besides seeing your name on Wisconsin’s official Certified Direct Care Professional registry, you will get multiple perks after completing the free caregiver certification program. These include:
- A $500 bonus
- Connections to hundreds of employers across Wisconsin
- Advancing into higher positions like certified nurse aide
- Choosing shifts that match your schedule
How do I enroll in the Certified Direct Care Professional Program in Wisconsin?
Beginning the CDCP program is straightforward. You sign up online and provide your details, contact information, and other basic information required for enrollment. The enrollment process takes just a few minutes.
What work will I be able to do with a CDCP certification?
Once you receive a certification as a direct caregiver, you will provide daily living assistance services to seniors and individuals with disabilities with the ability to work in several different workplace settings. You may assist with personal care support activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, toileting, and transferring.
Besides personal care activities, you may offer the following supportive home care duties, such as:
- Household. Light cleaning, laundry, or yard work.
- Exercising. Occasionally, you will assist clients under your care with exercises. These exercises may include simple stretches to improve flexibility and gentle movements to enhance joint mobility.
- Running errands. Besides personal care, you will help run various errands for the individuals under your care. These errands could include grocery shopping, accompanying clients to medical appointments, and cleaning.
- Provide companionship. Some of your clients will need companionship so they do not feel lonely. You will engage them in conversation, listen to their concerns, and participate in leisure activities together.
- Emotional support. Apart from companionship, you will support your clients emotionally when they face challenging situations. The emotional support could be as simple as actively listening to the client’s concerns and offering reassurance.
Note that your home care responsibilities will vary depending on each client’s unique needs. Your supervisor will provide a customized home care plan for each individual under your care to give them proper support.
Your workplace opportunities as a certified direct care professional (CDCP) could include:
- Home and community-based services (HCBS)
- Non-medical in-home care
- One-on-one care (IRIS)
- Family homes
- And more
Receiving your CDCP certification will also allow you to build your resume, display to employers that you have specialized skills, and advance into new and exciting health care roles throughout your career. Learn more about your caregiving career potential here.
Start your journey to becoming a WisCaregiver Careers Certified Direct Care Professional
At first glance, taking the free caregiver certification program may appear insignificant. But, beyond the surface, this program carries immense value. It allows you to give back to the community by caring for individuals needing support to live their best life.
Additionally, CDCP certification lays a solid foundation for pursuing higher roles within the health care industry. Register for the WisCaregiver Careers CDCP to help improve accessibility to care services, and get the skills you need to advance your career.