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The PCA (Personal Care Assistant) Choice Provider program was created by the legislature in 1999. Under this program, the client and/or a responsible party assume some of the responsibilities that previously belonged to a PCA provider organization. MRCI, as a PCA Choice provider since 2002, is an employer of record that handles the financial management of the PCA services. This creates less administrative overhead, which allows the PCA to be paid a higher wage.

The client contacts the county Public Health Nurse to complete a face to face assessment for PCA services. As part of that assessment, the client must choose PCA Choice and determine whether they want to supervise staff directly or use the services of a qualified professional (Registered Nurse, mental health professional or social worker). The client and/or qualified professional becomes responsible for recruiting, hiring, orienting, training, scheduling and ongoing supervision of this PCA.

The PCA must be 18 years or older (with some exceptions) and be able to perform the needed personal cares. The services the PCA provides may include: Activities of Daily Living (such as assistance with dressing, bathing, mobility, positioning, toileting); Health Related Care Needs as assigned by a licensed health care professional (these are special health needs such as wound cares, non-sterile respiratory cares, therapy programs); Other Living Supports (this may include meal planning and preparation, performing essential household chores, shopping for essential items); Behavior Redirection and Intervention. The PCA must also be able to recognize and report changes in the client’s condition to the appropriate party.

MRCI secures criminal background checks on employees and verifies and keeps records of hours worked. MRCI provides payroll services and pays all payroll taxes. It also does reporting, assumes responsibility for workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation and liability insurance.

Employees can be paid up to $11.59 per hour as a beginning wage, which can be increased up to $12.61 per hour after a minimum of 300 hours of work. Thereafter increases or decreases will be determined by the legislature.