Starting a career in home care is easy. Each job has its own application, but the steps are similar.
- Choose one or more roles that fit you. If you’re unsure, take our Role Finder Quiz to learn more about each role.
- You may find that you want to apply for multiple roles, which is encouraged.
- Follow the steps to complete the application, background check and required training.
Step 1. Confirm your role and check eligibility
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Learn about home care jobs to find the ones that match your skills and interests — whether it’s help with daily tasks or supporting people as they build skills and independence.
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Eligibility reminder:
- Must be 18+ and live in Oregon or nearby state.
- Ability to pass a background check.
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
Step 2.
Understand the general application process
Before you start working, there are a few important steps to complete. Each home care role follows a similar application process, but some details will vary. Learn more about role-specific application steps.
Here’s what to expect:
- Submit your application. The process is slightly different for each home care role: Be sure to follow all steps. Missing a step could delay your enrollment.
- Complete a background check. Oregon requires all people who work in home care to pass a background check. You’ll receive an email with instructions once a request form is submitted. You must complete the online background check within a certain amount of time. Learn more about background checks.
- Attend orientation. New workers must go to the orientation in person. This session is free. It helps you understand your role, responsibilities and the needs of people who use home care services. Learn more about orientation.
- Receive your provider number. This unique number allows you to work and get paid. Watch your email for it.
- Complete any other forms. This will vary by role but may include payroll or provider enrollment.
- Complete your new worker training. You must finish this required training within 120 days of getting your provider number. You can start working while completing training, but it must be done on time, or your provider number will be deactivated and you cannot work. Learn more about new worker training.
Homecare Worker
As a Homecare Worker (HCW), you support older adults and people with disabilities through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD).
Personal Support Worker
As a Personal Support Worker (PSW), you provide support for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS).
Personal Care Attendant
As a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), you support people with behavioral or mental health needs through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Personal Support Worker Job Coach
As a Personal Support Worker Job Coach (PSWJC), you support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) succeed in the workplace. To apply for this role, you must complete the Personal Support Worker (PSW) application process.
Final step: Get ready to start working
Get your provider number
- Once you’ve completed your application, background check and orientation, you get your provider number and can complete training.
- Your provider number is your key to working and getting paid. If you haven’t received it yet, check your email for a welcome letter.
Get set up with your timekeeping program.
- Homecare Workers and Personal Care Attendants use the Oregon Provider Time Capture system (PTC).
- Personal Support Workers use the Express Payment & Reporting System (eXPRS).
- There are instructions and tutorials available.
Find job opportunities
- Create a provider profile on the home care job site, Carina.
- Carina is a free online matching tool. It helps you find people who are set up to get home care services from the State of Oregon.
- You can work for more than one person at a time.
- In most cases, a family member or friend who receives state services and qualifies to receive home care can hire you. Parents or guardians who are personal support workers (PSWs) can’t be paid to care for their minor children. However, in many cases, they can be paid to care for their adult children.
Resources to help you get started
- Get free one-on-one help with any part of the enrollment process so you can join the home care workforce and find work.
ORCHARDS background check resources
Orientation and training
Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS)
FAQs
Have questions? We have the answers you’re looking for.
Application process
Category: Application process
Once you apply and are enrolled, you’ll be assigned a provider number. This unique identification number is given to people in home care roles after they complete the application and approval process. It allows you to work and get paid for providing home care services.
Once you receive your provider number, you can begin searching for job opportunities through the online matching tool, Carina. You may also be hired by someone you know who qualifies for home care services. Your provider number is needed to track your work hours, get paid and access training and benefits.
There are a few more steps after receiving your provider number. Check your email or mail daily for updates.
Category: Application process
Once you get a provider number, you can begin to look for jobs. There is a free online matching tool called Carina to find people who are set up to get state services from the State of Oregon and need in-home help. You may also be hired by someone you know who qualifies to receive paid home care services. The person you support is your employer. They direct your work and create a schedule with you.
Category: Application process
In most cases, yes. Often a person who needs home care prefers to hire someone they know. There are some restrictions for roles, such as Personal Support Workers cannot provide services to their own children until they are 18+.