Key Points

• What is a Caregiver? A Caregiver is a professional who provides hands-on assistance with daily living activities to clients who are elderly, ill, or disabled.
• How to become a Caregiver in Kentucky? To become a Caregiver in Kentucky, you must be at least 18, pass comprehensive background checks, and complete employer-provided orientation and state-mandated dementia training.
• Length of training for a Caregiver: Mandatory dementia training requires six initial hours. More advanced State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) training requires 75 hours.
• Number of Caregivers in Kentucky: As of May 2024, there were approximately 48,200 Home Health and Personal Care Aides employed in Kentucky.

What is a Caregiver?

Caregivers are individuals who provide assistance and support to people who are unable to fully care for themselves due to age, illness, or disability. Their responsibilities often include personal care, medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation.

Caregivers work in a variety of settings, including private homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospice care, and hospitals. The specific environment dictates the level of care and daily tasks.

Caregiver Requirements in Kentucky

While Kentucky does not issue a statewide license for non-medical caregivers, professional agencies and state regulations mandate several requirements for employment.

• Age and Education: You must be at least 18 years old. Most employers require a high school diploma or GED.
• Background Checks: All applicants must pass a comprehensive criminal background check. Employers are required to check multiple registries, including the nurse aide abuse registry, the caregiver misconduct registry, and the child abuse/neglect central registry.
• Health Screening: A Tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment is required. If the assessment indicates risk, a skin test or blood assay is necessary to confirm you are free of active TB before providing direct care. Some agencies may also require substance abuse testing.
• Mandatory Dementia Training: State law requires all direct-care staff who work with clients exhibiting symptoms of dementia to complete specific training. This includes at least six hours of initial, Cabinet-approved training within the first 60 days of employment and three hours of additional training annually.
• Driver's License: A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are often necessary for client transport and errands.

How to Become a Caregiver in Kentucky in 5 Steps

The path to becoming a professional caregiver in Kentucky is straightforward and accessible. Follow this step-by-step process to launch your career.

1. Meet the Foundational Requirements

Before applying for jobs, ensure you are at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license. Be prepared to pass the mandatory background checks and health screenings, which are standard for any role involving patient trust and safety. You can start exploring training options by using Dreambound's search by zip code to find programs near you.

2. Complete State-Mandated Training

Kentucky law requires specific training based on your role. You have two primary paths:

• Personal Care Aide: To work in non-medical home care, you must complete employer-provided orientation and the state-mandated dementia training. This involves at least six hours of initial training on providing care to individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias.
• State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA): This is the gold standard for caregivers in Kentucky, allowing you to work in nursing homes and hospitals with higher pay. Becoming an SRNA requires completing a 75-hour state-approved program, which includes a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical training.

3. Earn Key Certifications

Nearly all healthcare employers require CPR and First Aid certification. This simple, one-day class demonstrates your preparedness to handle common medical emergencies. For certain roles, such as those in private duty nursing agencies, holding a current CPR certification from a provider like the American Heart Association or American Red Cross is a regulatory requirement.

4. Pass the SRNA Competency Exam (If Applicable)

If you complete the 75-hour SRNA program, the next step is to pass the state competency exam. The exam is administered by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and has two parts: a knowledge test and a skills demonstration. You must pass both parts to be placed on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry. Candidates have up to three attempts within one year of completing their training to pass the exam.

5. Find a Caregiver Job

With your training and certifications, you are ready to apply for jobs. Search for "Caregiver," "Personal Care Aide," or "SRNA" on job boards. You can also apply directly to home care agencies in your city. To find state-approved training programs, consult the Kentucky Career Center's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). For insights into the skills employers seek, MyNextMove.org is an excellent resource.