In this training pathway, you will find everything a Connected Care CHW needs to get ready to support older adult patients — from onboarding through protocol training.
✅ Required Training Checklist
Complete all items below before your first independent patient visit. Items marked with a time estimate and CEU value where applicable.
📋 We recommend working through the required training in order. You can use the check list to keep track of off each item as you complete it. You can bring any questions to your supervisor or the Connected Care team. Please report completion of each item to your supervisor. CEU certificates should be saved and submitted per your clinic’s process.
Download and print this checklist to track your progress.
1. Complete your clinic’s onboarding
Complete your clinic’s new hire onboarding process, which covers HR and payroll systems, the Employee Handbook, CPR & First Aid training, instructions for accessing the clinic’s EMR system, and introductions to clinic staff.
Please coordinate directly with your supervisor or clinic HR.
2. Watch: The Role of Community Health Workers
The following video introduces the CHW role.
Time: <5 min
3. Enroll in a CHW Certification Course (if not already certified)
If you do not have your CHW Certification, enroll in a 90-hour certification course. Funding, if needed, may be available through the Oregon Office of Rural Health. Upon completion, this training qualifies for candidates for CHW Certification and 90 CEUs through the Oregon Office of Equity and Inclusion.
CHW certification course options include:
3. Watch: Challenges of Caregiving in America
A CBS News feature covering key challenges related to aging in America — cost of caregiving, housing insecurity, long-term care.
Time: <30 min
4. Watch: The Experience of Aging (video series)
This series of videos explores aging from multiple perspectives. Please watch all six.
Time: ~45 min total
5. Watch: Let’s End Ageism (TED Talk)
(Double check this link)
Time: <12 min
17. Watch: Aging in America — Crisis in Long-term Care
Time: <10 min
7. Watch: Age Friendly Care and the 4Ms
This short video on Age Friendly Health Systems and the 4Ms framework (Medication, Mentation, Mobility, and What Matters) was created by Rush University.
Time: ~7 min
8. Complete: How to Support Older Adults — A Training for CHWs
Enroll in and complete an 8-hour online learning series developed by the Connected Care team and the Oregon Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) at OHSU.
Click “How to Support Older Adults Learning Series” to begin.
The course covers:
- Working with Older Adults
- An Introduction to Age-Friendly Health Systems and the 4Ms
- System Navigation for Older Adults
- Community Resources for Older Adults
- Incorporating CHWs in Age-Friendly Care
Time: 8 hours — CEU eligible: 8.0 CEUs through Oregon Office of Equity and Inclusion
📋 This course lives on the GWEP/OHSU learning portal and requires account registration. It cannot be accessed without an account — create one at the link above.
14. Complete: Advanced Directives Training Module
This module covers the Oregon Advanced Directive, the Oregon Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, how to choose a healthcare representative, and how to support clients through end-of-life planning conversations.
Time: 90 min — CEU eligible (xx)
9. Watch: Types and Symptoms of Dementia
This short video was created by the National Institute on Aging and provides an overview of dementia types and symptoms.
Time: <10 min
10. Watch: Dementia Caregiving
Time: <5 min
11. Complete: ASTHO Training on Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias
This training was created by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). It covers understanding ADRD and evidence-based strategies to reduce risk and support early detection.
Time: 4 hours — CEU eligible: 4.0 CEUs
12. Watch: 4 D’s of Suicide Risk in Older Adults
This short video by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention explains four key suicide risk factors for older adults, featuring Dr. Yeates Conwell.
Time: <5 min
18. Watch: Who Cares for the Caregiver?
Time: <5 min
13. Review: Home Visitor Safety
Please review the following home visitor safety guide and watch the two videos to better understand home visitor safety.
Time: ~1 hour
15. Complete: Connected Care Protocol Training
An in-person or Zoom-based training covering all five Connected Care Protocols in depth — What Matters Conversation, What Matters Advance Directive, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. Provided by a member of the Connected Care team. CHW supervisors are encouraged to attend.
Contact the Connected Care team to schedule. Time: ~6 hours.
📋 To schedule your Protocol Training, contact [INSERT CONTACT NAME AND EMAIL]. This training is required before your first independent protocol visit.”
16. Connect with local partners
Complete the following community connection steps:
- Introduce yourself to your local Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) office
- Connect with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
- Schedule a visit to your local senior or adult center
- Familiarize yourself with hospice services in your area
19. Review: Connected Care Monthly CHW Learning Call Notes
Review notes from Connected Care’s Monthly CHW Learning Calls.
These calls cover a variety of topics relevant to CHW practice with older adults.
Time: ~4 hours
📋 Congratulations! You’ve completed your required training. Please save copies of all CEU certificates and submit them per your clinic’s process. Welcome to the Connected Care team.
⭐ Additional Training and OpportunitiesAdvanced Directives & Mental Health Treatment Directives
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