In New York, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) personal care assistants (PCAs) are not typically required to undergo mandatory drug testing as part of their employment. Unlike traditional home care agencies, CDPAP allows consumers (patients) to hire and manage their own assistants, often family members or friends, without the involvement of a third-party agency in the same capacity.

If you’re hoping to become a paid CDPAP personal care assistant, there are a few steps you need to take in order to complete your application. This may or may not include an eight-panel drug test, depending on the agency you work with as the requirements can vary depending on the fiscal intermediary (FI) managing the CDPAP program for the supported consumer. Some FIs might have policies that include drug testing though it is not a standard practice across agencies in New York.

If you’re considering becoming a PCA under CDPAP or hiring one, it’s a good idea to check with the specific FI handling the case to understand any additional requirements they may have. For agencies that do drug test, caregivers are typically only tested once when starting to work with a new client.

Training Required for CDPAP Personal Care Assistants in New York

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained caregiver who helps patients and older adults with mostly non-medical assistance and daily tasks in the comfort of their own home. PCAs provide a wide range of services, assisting the patient with many day-to-day activities at home and around the community, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, light housekeeping and running errands. 

In order to provide PCA services in the state of New York, a person is required to complete an approved PCA training program (PCATP). New York State Department of Health or NYS Education Department approved training programs provide basic training as well as Alternative Competency Demonstration. The certificate of completion is issued by the approved school or program through the New York State Home Care Worker Registry.

Personal Care Aide training programs approved by New York DOH may not charge any fees or tuition to trainees for the cost of training including the costs for textbooks, materials and supplies. Here’s a list of approved PCA training programs in New York

How to become a Clients CDPAP Personal Care Assistant

In order to become a CDPAP personal care assistant, you must first have a client (consumer) willing to hire you for long-term care. Whether it be an older parent, relative, friend, neighbor or a professional client, you must be in contact with someone willing to hire you who has qualified for the CDPAP program.

Upon being asked or assigned to be a caregiver, you must contact your client’s CDPAP fiscal intermediary (home care agency) for benefits information and information on compliance with local laws and regulations. Next, you will need an appointment to get a physical examination. This includes a regular physical to ensure you’re physically fit to care for another person (and don’t have physical inhibitions from doing so), the eight-panel drug screening (if requested by the agency you’re working with), blood tests, and a screening for rubella and rubeola (also a blood test). 

Once you pass your physical exam, your fiscal intermediary will let you know how many hours per week you’ve been approved to work for, based on your results. Finally, you’ll need to complete your payroll paperwork, receive your offer of employment, and then your contract as a CDPAP personal assistant begins.