YOUR DIRECT CARE CAREER
STARTS HERE
Receive FREE Direct Care Worker training, job placement support and ongoing career guidance through a special partnership between Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Earn a living making a difference in the lives of older adults and those with disabilities as a home health caregiver.
Thank you for your interest in the rewards of becoming a Direct Care Worker. Click on the button below to get started on your career. All interested individuals should complete all fields in the form below or contact program manager, Madeline Guyott, directly through United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Qualifications
The best Direct Care Workers are:
- Compassionate
- Trustworthy
- Hardworking
- Organized
- Have transportation
- Possess strong communications skills
- Enjoy a flexible work schedule
They are also ready and willing to help older adults and those with disabilities with essential, nonmedical support —personal hygiene, meal preparation, light housekeeping, pet care, errands and transportation.
Why Direct Care Workers Matter
“I am making a difference in the lives of older adults and those with disabilities by helping them with their daily lives.”
— Kianna
“I wanted a career that offered flexible hours and opportunities for growth where I could use my caregiving skills.”
— Lucia
“I spent most of my life caring for my family. Today, I earn a living caring for others in a job that I love.”
— Yolanda
Get Paid to Help Others in Need and Receive:
- FREE pre-employment training to learn the fundamentals of caring for others.
- FREE pre-employment TB test, fingerprint clearance card, and CPR and first aid classes.
- FREE job placement support through collaboration with partner agencies throughout Southern Arizona.
- FREE job readiness support to prepare for interviews, create a resume, obtain references and more.
- LONG-TERM career guidance, including monthly support groups and ongoing specialized training.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no cost to you!
The United Way program covers training costs and pre-employment expenses like background checks, TB tests, CPR and first aid training.
Training takes 24 hours over 3 days. The State of Arizona requires Direct Care Worksers to also take 6 hours of refresher training annually.
We are partnering with United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. They are aligned with at-home care agencies throughout Southern Arizona seeking great employees. They trust us and know our graduates are well qualified. We’ll help you connect with employers, prepare for interviews and create your resume.
No. If you are a high school graduate or have a GED, you are eligible for a Direct Care Worker career.
You help older adults or those with disabilities in their homes with essential, nonmedical support with activities of daily living, like helping with personal hygiene, meal preparation, light housekeeping, pet care, errands and transportation.
The average starting wage for a Direct Care Worker in Arizona is $13.93; it varies by employer.
The skills you acquire as a Direct Care Worker can help you — with additional training — pursue additional career opportunities including personal care aide; certified nursing aide; medical assistant; licensed practical nurse; community health worker; health educator; occupational therapy aide; or occupational therapy assistant.
Experience the Rewards of Helping Those in Need
All interested individuals should FIRST complete all fields in the form below. If you need assistance completing the form, contact program manager Donna BakerX or call at (520) 903-3913.
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PCOA and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona have partnered to recruit Direct Care Workers to meet the high demand for care for southern Arizona’s older adults and people with disabilities. The campaign is funded by the State of Arizona.