Growth in Arizona’s aging population means a current and projected shortage of caregivers for the elderly.
The largest state-approved center for training caregivers and certified nursing assistants in the state is based in Tucson. The not-for-profit CareGiver Training Institute, 710 South Kolb Road, building No.4, graduates about 220 people per year. It’s a number that is projected to grow.
The average salary for certified caregivers in Southern Arizona is $10.06 per hour, or $21,000 per year.
Graduates of the 14-year-old school have included refugees, single parents and local residents who never graduated from high school.
Starting Aug. 1, the school will add an assisted-living manager curriculum to its roster of courses.
The Star spoke with CareGiver Training Institute CEO Jayne Hack last week about the need for caregivers, qualifications for the job and whether graduates are able to increase their salaries.
The following are excerpts from the interview:
Are all caregivers who work in assisted-living centers and nursing homes state certified as caregivers?
If they are performing the duties of a caregiver, then they need to have taken a state-approved training program and successfully completed the state test.
What about people who work for in-home care agencies — should consumers assume that they are certified by the state?
Never assume, always ask for proper credential verification.
What does the certification process entail?
This 116-hour training course is offered at various schedules and includes a state test which, if successfully completed, will provide a certificate to work as caregiver in Arizona. You will be certified in personal-, supervisory- and directed-care levels.
The curriculum for training caregivers has been approved by the Arizona Nursing Care Institution Administrators (NCIA) Board. All training courses include lecture, skill development and direct care. Included in those hours are 16 hours of medication management. Some online work will be required.
Caregiver training fulfills all requirements for the NCIA board to earn a caregiver certificate and sit for the state exam.
How much does it cost for a student to go through the training, and are there loans available?
The cost of the program is $1,110, and loans and scholarships are available. Also, we work with Pima County One-Stop for financial-aid assistance.
You said the average salary for certified caregivers is $10.06 per hour. Do you have students who graduate and go on to earn more than that?
Our students are a premium for the industry partners due to the quality of education that they acquire.
Most of our students range from $11 to $15 per hour. We offer résumé writing and have industry partners meet our students at a Get that Job class.
What are the demographics of your students?
Seventy percent are low income based on HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) client eligibility income limits; 70 percent identify as ethnic minorities — 50 percent Hispanic, 11 percent African American, 4 percent Native American, 5 percent other; and 39 percent are single heads of household.
The CareGiver Training Institute is the only health-care training program in Tucson that accepts applicants without a high school diploma or GED — 20 percent of our registrants on average each year, including refugees.
Do you have one caregiver training program or are there different levels?
Caregiver training programs are one class inclusive of all three levels. Students take one caregiver class that is 116 total hours. The state minimum is 104 hours.
Some local assisted-living homes and nursing homes report difficulties in finding qualified caregivers to fill jobs — does that sound accurate to you?
Yes, there is a major gap between qualified caregivers and the employers looking to hire.
If someone is hiring a private caregiver, is there anywhere online for them to check whether the person they are hiring is certified by the state?
Tell us about your new assisted-living manager program.
It is a 40-hour course so that caregivers can advance in their career path and become a manager. With this certification, they will be able to open their own facility. Our first class will be from Aug. 1 to to Aug. 5. You cannot open a facility without that credential. In the past, people had to go to Phoenix to get this training.
Becoming a manager is a way for certified caregivers to earn higher salaries.
What could entice more people to become caregivers in Southern Arizona?
Educating them of the opportunities in the health-care industry. Giving is always a blessing and the rewards outweigh the responsibilities.
It’s not an easy job. But with the right patient you can live with them, not pay for housing, be their caregiver. In this community there are people who don’t want to be in a facility, they want to be in their home.
What do your graduates say about working in a facility?
It depends on the facility. In some places they are overworked and there is not enough help. I’ve been a supervisor, and I always suggest that facilities buddy-up caregivers. There is camaraderie in working together.
What kind of a person makes a good caregiver?
Compassionate is the only real word. Personality, hygiene and personal appearance are also important. If you are going to care for someone else, you should show good self-care.
