Long-Term Care Worker Trainings

📚 Who it’s for

Typically required (or strongly recommended) for:

• Long-term care workers (home care aides, CNAs in some roles) 
• Adult family home providers 
• Assisted living staff and managers 
• Direct Support Professionals

⏱️ Length & format

• 8 hours total (1 full day) 
• Offered In-Person

📝 Certification requirements to pass:

• Attend the full session 
• Pass a competency exam (80% or higher) 

You then receive a:

• DSHS-approved Mental Health Level 1 Specialty Training Certificate 
• Counts as 8 hours of continuing education (CEUs) in Washington State
• Population-specific training toward caregiver certification 

🧩 What the training covers

The curriculum is standardized (DSHS-approved) and includes:

• Overview of common mental health conditions
• Trauma-informed and compassionate care 
• Communication skills and boundaries 
• Suicide prevention basics 
• Crisis response and de-escalation 
• Supporting daily living activities (ADLs) with mental health considerations 
• Self-care for caregivers 

⚖️ Why it exists (regulatory context)

Washington requires specialty training because caregivers must be able to:

• Safely support residents with mental health conditions
• Recognize behaviors and respond appropriately 
• Provide competent, population-specific care 
• This is defined under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 388-112A) for long-term care training. 

🧭 Key takeaway

Mental Health Level 1 Specialty Training is:

• Entry-level but required training for many caregiving roles 
• Focused on practical, real-world mental health support skills (not clinical therapy) 
• A one-day certification that helps you stay compliant with WA state regulations 

📚 Who it’s for

Typically required (or strongly recommended) for:

• Long-term care workers (home care aides, CNAs in some roles) 
• Adult family home providers 
• Assisted living staff and managers 
• Direct Support Professionals

⏱️ Length & format

• 8 hours total (1 full day) 
• Offered In-Person

📝 Certification requirements to pass:

• Attend the full session 
• Pass a competency exam (80% or higher) 

You then receive a:

• DSHS-approved Dementia Level 1 Specialty Certificate 
• 8 hours of continuing education (CEUs) 
• Population-specific training toward caregiver certification 

🧩 What the training covers

The curriculum is standardized (DSHS-approved) and includes:

• Basics of dementia and how it affects the brain 
• Differences between delusions vs. hallucinations 
• Communication strategies with people with dementia 
• Supporting activities of daily living (ADLs) 
• Managing challenging behaviors (e.g., aggression, wandering) 
• Trauma-informed care approaches 
• Working with families and care teams 
• Topics like sexuality, dignity, and person-centered care 

It emphasizes behavioral understanding and practical caregiving techniques, not medical treatment.

⚖️ Why it exists (regulatory context)

Washington requires dementia specialty training to ensure caregivers can:

• Provide safe, appropriate care for individuals with cognitive impairment 
• Understand dementia-related behaviors and respond effectively 
• Deliver person-centered, dignity-focused care 

This is governed under Washington Administrative Code (WAC 388-112A) for long-term care training. 

🧭 Key takeaway

Dementia Level 1 Specialty Training is:

• A required, entry-level dementia care certification in WA 
• Focused on hands-on caregiving skills and behavior management 
• A one-day (8-hour) training that supports compliance and better care outcomes

What it is (big picture)

CPR/AED/First Aid Training is a hands-on, lifesaving course that prepares participants to respond confidently in medical emergencies. It focuses on immediate care and quick decision-making—the critical actions that can stabilize someone and even save a life before professional help arrives.

This training is practical, interactive, and designed for real-world situations you could encounter at work, at home, or in your community.

📚 Who it’s for

Ideal (and often required) for:

• Long-term care workers and Direct Support Professionals
• Teachers, childcare providers, and coaches
• Workplace safety teams
• Anyone who wants to be prepared in an emergency

No prior medical experience is needed—just a willingness to learn and participate.

⏱️ Length & format

5 hours in length

Includes:

• Instructor-led demonstrations
• Hands-on practice with mannequins and training equipment
• Real-life scenario simulations

This course is offered In-Person only in SeaTac, WA

📝 Certification requirements

To successfully complete the training:

• Participate in hands-on skills practice
• Demonstrate competency in CPR and AED use
• Pass a brief skills assessment

You receive:

• A CPR/AED/First Aid certification card that is valid for 2 years

🧩 What the training covers

This course focuses on practical, lifesaving skills you can use immediately, including:

• Recognizing emergencies quickly
• Cardiac arrest, choking, severe bleeding, and shock
• When and how to call 911
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• Adult CPR techniques
• High-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths
• Hands-only CPR
• How to safely operate an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
• Working as part of a response team
• Choking response
• Helping conscious and unconscious individuals
• Techniques for adults
• First Aid basics
• Treating cuts, burns, and wounds
• Controlling bleeding and using bandages
• Responding to seizures, allergic reactions, and fainting
• Scene safety and personal protection
• Keeping yourself safe while helping others
• Using gloves and barriers
• Confidence under pressure
• Staying calm and taking action in stressful situations
• Practicing real-life emergency scenarios

⚖️ Why it matters (real-world impact)

Emergencies can happen anywhere—and the first few minutes are often the most critical. This training ensures you can:

• Take immediate, effective action
• Support someone until emergency responders arrive
• Potentially save a life

🧭 Key takeaway

CPR/AED/First Aid Training is:

• A hands-on, practical certification focused on real emergencies
• Designed to build confidence, speed, and skill under pressure
• One of the most valuable trainings you can take—for work and for life

Purpose

This policy outlines expectations and procedures regarding participant attendance for paid training sessions. 

It is designed to ensure fairness, maintain program quality, and protect the time and resources of trainers and attendees.

Definition of a No-Show

A “no-show” occurs when a registered participant fails to attend a scheduled training session without prior notice or cancellation within the required timeframe.

Cancellation Policy

Participants may cancel or reschedule their registration up to 1 business day before the training start time without penalty.

Cancellations must be submitted via email and confirmed received.

Late Cancellations

Cancellations made less than 1 business day before the session will be considered late cancellations.

Late cancellations may be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.

No-Show Policy

Participants who do not attend and fail to provide notice within the required timeframe will be considered a no-show.

No-shows are not eligible for refunds or credits unless otherwise specified.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be granted in cases of documented emergencies (e.g., illness, family emergency, or unforeseen circumstances). 

Requests must be submitted within 2 business days after the missed session and are subject to review.

Transfers and Substitutions

Participants may transfer their registration to another individual up to 1 business day before the session at no additional cost.

All substitution requests must be communicated in advance.

Trainer Cancellations

If the Arc of King County cancels or reschedules a session, participants will be offered the option of a full refund or transfer to a future session.

Agreement

By registering for a training session, participants agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

Purpose

This policy establishes clear expectations for participants who arrive late to scheduled training sessions. It ensures minimal disruption, maintains training quality, and respects the time of all attendees and facilitators.

Definition of Late Arrival

A participant is considered “late” if they arrive after the scheduled start time of the training session.

Grace Period

A grace period of 15 minutes may be allowed for late arrivals.

Participants arriving within the grace period may join the session with minimal disruption.

Entry After Grace Period

Participants arriving more than 30 minutes late may be denied entry at the facilitator’s discretion.

This is to prevent disruption to the session and ensure continuity of learning.

Access to Materials

Late participants are responsible for catching up on missed content.

Training materials, recordings (if available), or summaries may be provided at the Trainer’s discretion.

Fees and Rescheduling

Late arrivals are not eligible for refunds or partial credits.

If denied entry due to excessive lateness, participants may be offered the option to reschedule to a future session.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be made for unavoidable or documented circumstances (e.g., emergencies, travel delays), subject to review by the trainer.

Participant Responsibility

Participants are expected to plan accordingly to arrive on time, accounting for traffic, or other potential delays.

Agreement

By registering for a training session, participants acknowledge and agree to comply with this late arrival policy.