Become a Personal Care Assistant
Personal care assistants work in private homes or care facilities to help clients with common tasks, such as bathing, grooming, and using toilet facilities, as well as dressing, cooking, and house cleaning. Most personal care assistants work for private clients, home health providers, or agencies that offer services to senior citizens and the disabled.
This occupation can be emotionally and physically demanding. Assistants must sometimes move and lift patients or work with those who have communicable illnesses. In addition, they are sometimes hired to care for individuals who suffer from mental health impairments and may become violent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2018 the median annual salary of $24,020 for personal care aides.
Career Requirements
| Education Level | No degree is required, though short-term training may be necessary |
| Certification | Some states require certification; some employers require CPR certification |
| Experience | None, entry-level |
| Key Skills | Compassion, physical endurance, punctuality, people skills, time management skills |
| Additional Requirements | Some employers may require a criminal background check, drug screening, valid driver's license, and vehicle insurance |
| Salary (May 2018)* | $24,020 per year (median salary for all personal care aides) |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, State government websites, Job postings in November 2012
Required Steps
Let's take a look at the steps required to become a personal care assistant.
Step 1: Get Training
Aspiring personal care assistants typically don't need formal education, though most assistants possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Personal care assistants typically learn the necessary skills through on-the-job training. Some state-specific requirements may mandate training through community colleges, technical schools, or service providers.
Some schools offer courses or certificate programs for aspiring personal care assistants. These programs typically include classroom and clinical components. Students might be required to take a physical exam and a tuberculosis test and obtain appropriate immunizations. In addition, some schools require prospective students to pass a criminal background check and drug test. Students might need to complete a course in CPR as part of their training.
Personal care assistant programs can teach students how to groom and bathe clients, control infections, and care for specific bodily areas. Students also learn about everyday tasks, such as making beds, moving clients in a safe manner, and keeping them comfortable. Instruction may include tending to medical devices, like catheters and oxygen tanks. Employee contractual issues and ethics might be discussed as well.
Step 2: Comply with Applicable Regulations
Some states have government-funded healthcare programs that supply personal care assistants to qualified clients. Assistants who work for these programs may need to meet training and certification requirements; assistants may also need to be at least 18 years old. Other applicable regulations can include registering with the state's human services department, passing a background check, and getting hired by an agency that employs personal care assistants. The states can provide prospective assistants with listings of acceptable training sources.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Personal care assistants will learn new skills and improve existing ones mostly through on-the-job training and experience. As an assistant becomes more adept at providing care, he or she may receive more visible assignments or extra responsibilities. Experienced assistants may have the opportunity to move into a management or office position if they're employed by a home health agency or care facility and demonstrate leadership ability.
To become a personal care assistant, you'll need to acquire training and meet any employer requirements.
