Skip to the main content of the page

PSW-HCW

Skip Navigation LinksOregon Department of Human Services / Seniors and People with Disabilities / Oregon Home Care Commission / PSW-HCW / Health and Safety

Health and Safety

​​​COVID-19 information

​How to request PPE

Homecare Workers, Personal Support Workers and Personal Care Attendants can request masks, cloth face coverings and gloves (protective personal equipment or PPE). Please submit requests through the OHCC Online Service, by phone or by email. ​

  • ​Submit a request online - Homecare Workers, Personal Support Workers and Personal Care Attendants can use the Online Service to make individual requests for question or support. This services is compatible with smart phones, smart devices (tablets and iPads) and computers.
  • Reach us by phone or email:
    877-624-6080
    ohcc.custom​errelations@odhsoha.oregon.gov​

Benefits available during the COVID-19 pandemic

For homecare, personal support workers and personal care attendants:

Offered through Carewell SEIU 503

Important information about COVID-19

Date
  
Title
  
Accordion Content
6/30/2022Interim COVID-19 Infection Control Guidance for Home Care Workers
​​ ​​English​
3/15/2022Infographic and new policy: COVID-19 Mask and Cloth Face Covering Guidance for Consumer-Employers and Homecare Workers
​​English, ​Arabic, Cambodian, Farsi, Korean, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese

3/11/2022Updated mask guidance for providers

​English​​

6/29/2020Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Homecare and Personal Support Workers
​English, ​Arabic, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese
4/29/2020Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 for Homecare and Personal Support Workers

​English, Arabic, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese

3/16/2020Flu Season and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention for Homecare and Personal Support Workers
​English, Arabic, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Traditional Chinese,  Vietnamese

Flu prevention re​​sources

People can spread the flu even if they don't know they’re sick. The flu can be more serious for some people, including older adults, young children and people with certain health conditions. 

Visit the Oregon Health Authority’s flu prevention website to learn how to prevent the flu, where to find flu vaccine in your community, and flu fact sheets in multiple languages. ​

OHCC health and safety training

Protecting your health and safety while working as a homecare and personal support worker is very important. 

OHCC encourages workers to take the following courses by enrolling through the Registry or calling OHCC at 1-877-867-0077.​

Preventing Disease Transmission*

This course is usually offered in-person, but to protect the health and safety of attendees during the pandemic, the course is offered as a two-hour webinar. The course covers:

  • Causes of infectious disease and routes of transmission
  • COVID-19 information
  • Standard precautions, proper hand-washing techniques, and protective personal equipment (PPE)
  • Reducing risks
  • Housekeeping and caregiving best practices

*This course counts towards earning 2.5 hours of safety-type credits for the Professional Development Certification.

Infection control resources​

Topic
  
Accordion Content
Notes
  
Self-Study
​Introduction to infectious disease​
*Non-credit course
Self-Study
​Hand and respiratory hygiene
*Non-credit course
Flyer
​Norovirus Illness: Key Facts
Instructions
​Proper Putting on and Removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Flyer
Stop Norovirus!​
Video
​Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19
Presented by City of Portland and Multnomah County Health Department
Available in 38 languages

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Resources

Date
  
Title
  
Accordion Content
8/25/2020Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19
​English,  Spanish
9/10/2020The Science Behind Hand Washing
​English, Spanish
1/26/2023Guidance on the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19
​English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean

​Injured on the job?

Homecare workers and personal support workers who are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503 are eligible for workers' compensation coverage for injuries that occur on the job.

For more information, see this flyer from SAIF: 


801 Claim F​​orm

To request an 801 Claim Form or for assistance with filing a claim, please contact:

Kelly Rosenau, Workers' Compensation Coordinator
Oregon Home Care Commission
550 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-378-3099
Toll-free: 888-365-0001
E​mail: kelly.k.rosenau@dhsoha.state.or.us
workerscomp.ohcc@odhsoha.oregon.gov​

When seeking medical attention

Complete Form 827: Worker's and Health Care Provider's Report

Forward the completed form to:
SAIF Corporation
400 High St. NE
Salem, OR 97312

Phone: 800-285-8525
Fax: 800-475-7785

​Learn more about filing a claim and the claim process

​​

​​​​​​​subscribeSubscribe for updates

Care Provider Safety Manual​

The Care Provider Safety ​Manual​ includes important information about health and safety. It is designed to help homecare​​​ workers, personal care attendants, and personal support workers stay safe and avoid injuries, illnesses, and hazards while providing in-home services. The manual is a tool for you to use along with the health and safety classes offered by the OHCC. It’s a good idea to read and save a copy of the ​​​Care Provider Safety Manual​ and register for our health and safety training classes.

Quit tobacco

Quit Line telephone and web-based counseling services help Oregonians quit using tobacco and nicotine products.