Career Pathways
Personal Support Specialist (PSS)
Description of a PSS
Personal Support Specialists (PSSs) provide hands‐on assistance with daily living for older adults with functional limitations and people with disabilities. PSSs provide services related to a member’s physical requirements for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). A PSS provides these services according to an authorized plan of care, which can be different depending on where and who they are working with.
PSS Work Settings and Populations Served
- A PSS works with individuals of all ages with functional and physical disabilities
- Can work in a variety of settings including home care, assisted living and residential care settings, adult day, and other health care settings.
Hiring Requirements
The provider must conduct a background check and certain types of criminal convictions may prohibit employment as a PSS.
A person may not work as a PSS if the Certified Nursing Assistant and Direct Care Worker Registry shows they have a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect or misappropriation of property of a client, patient, or resident.
TRAINING
REQUIREMENTS
- Be at least 17 years old
- Complete the 50‐hour PSS training program necessary for certification
CAREER PATHWAY
A person who is certified as a PSS can move into the following positions with additional training. Some career pathways include:
- CRMA
- Home Health Aide
- CNA
- CNA‐M
- LPN
- Medical Assistance
- Nursing Degree
- MHRT‐1
- CIPSS
- MHRT‐C
- DSP