Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is considered a personal service, and the student is responsible for hiring, paying, and managing their own PCA. Portland State University does not provide PCA services and is not responsible or liable for any consequences resulting from the support provided by a PCA.
A PCA assists the student with their activities of daily living, and enables the student to function independently in their daily routines. Students are responsible for directing the activities of the PCA. For example, PCAs typically provide one or more of the following types of assistance:
- preparing or eating food
- personal cleaning
- maintaining the residence
- transportation
- medication or medical equipment
PCAs should have the training and ability to provide the services students require. PCAs, as defined herein, may include relief PCAs who only provide services when the regular PCA is not available.
In order to work at Portland State University, all PCAs must:
- Be approved as a reasonable accommodation through the DRC (see “Registering with the DRC” section).
- Complete a background check with the University.
- Abide by all of the policies, rules, and regulations of Portland State University, the City, County, and State.
- Adhere to all other guidelines and regulations within this document and other University policies.
PCAs are not classroom assistants, who provide academic support in the classroom. Portland State University will provide classroom assistants for students who are eligible for this accommodation.