An info session for the personal care attendant program offered through NECC will be held September 12.

An information session for individuals interested in becoming personal care attendants (PCA) for the elderly and disabled will be offered Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Opportunity Works (HOW), 671 Kenoza St., next to the Haverhill campus.

This is a noncredit, PCA Fundamentals Program offered at Northern Essex Community College.

The 28-hour, eight-day, PCA program will be offered Sept. 25 through Oct. 13 (no class 10/9), Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

This program trains individuals in direct care skills used to help the elderly and disabled populations live independently. It is strongly recommended that individuals who are interested in attending the program attend this information session.  Preregistration for this information session is not required.

This program is ideal for those interested in learning the basic skills and knowledge to enter this in-demand field which also serves as a gateway to other health care professions. The current pay for PCAs is $14.56 an hour and work can be part time or full time.

The PCA program reviews the roles and responsibilities of the PCA, consumer rights, confidentiality and ethics, communication, best practices for infection control and reducing worker injury, basic first aid and CPR, life skills, resume writing and interview preparation.

Interested individuals must be eligible to work in the United States to enroll.  Participants must attend all training days.  For additional information please contact Dianne (Dee) Lahaye at dlahaye@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3065.