How to become a Personal Care Aide?

A personal care aide (PCA) assists people in need of a companion to manage their daily activities in life. They work in various healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, adult day care, and residential homes. These professionals accompany older people, individuals with a physical disability, mental dysfunction, or other physical limitations that hinder them from doing routine tasks. PCA not only assists clients but also provides them with companionship. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is high demand for personal care aides, and this demand is expected to grow up to 4,599,200 jobs by the end of 2029. If you are seeking to become a personal care aide, then you need to enroll in accredited PCA courses to kick-start your career in this profession. 

Job responsibilities of Personal Care Aide –

Personal care aides are health care individuals who help elderly or disabled individuals by providing basic care and social support. These professionals work closely with nurses and other PCAs to deliver quality care to clients. Some of the duties performed by a personal care aide may include the following –

. Help clients perform daily living activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and more.

. Help in housekeeping tasks, including laundry, dishwashing, and cleaning.

. Organize clients’ schedules and appointments.

. Organizing recreational activities.

. Engage clients in their social networks and communities.

. Arrange transportation to and fro for various destinations such as the doctor’s clinic, store, park, and more.

. Maintaining reports and providing updates to various medical professionals or doctors.

. Adhering to physiotherapy plans like aiding with rehabilitation exercises.

How can one become a Personal Care Aide?

When you finally decide to pursue being a personal aide, you must get acquainted with the career requirement you must meet. These are –

Obtaining a minimum educational requirement –

One does need to require educational attainment to be a personal care aide. However, a high school diploma or any equivalent education is a requirement for some employers. Just because there is no educational requirement, it does not mean that one should not pursue any related postsecondary non-degree programs. Having pursuits in educational programs related to providing personal and health care displays desirable qualifications. One needs to enroll themself in the nearest community college or vocational school to get proper training and knowledge about PCA courses.

Earn knowledge of basic safety techniques –

One of the essential requirements to get hired is having adequate knowledge of providing emergency health care techniques. This includes certified ability in giving first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), reading and recording vital signs, and essential nutrition. Having a solid foundation is critical to your job as you are assigned to tend to a person that may need these.

Meeting your state requirements –

Certification requirements may vary from state to state – some may need you to get on-the-job training, while others require formal training from an educational institution. Apart from this, some states conduct a background check before being qualified. You can refer to your state’s health board to know more about your state’s requirements.

Getting the required training –

When you start working in agencies that need Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, you ought to get the required minimum training and need to pass the competency exam. However, some states let you skip the training and go straight with passing the exam.

Skills that one needs to be a Personal Care Aide –

Skills that one needs to become a successful personal care aide are –

Good communication skills –

While caring for someone, good communication skills are essential. It is crucial as a PCA, as you often work on your own instead of with a team. Not only do you need to communicate effectively, but you also need to be a good listener to take into account the physical, emotional, and various other needs of the individuals you are looking after.

Teamwork skills –

This is one of the paramount when working as a PCA, as this field of work can often involve working with a variety of different clients and team members. A workplace whereby the staff shows excellent teamwork skills is often cohesive and effective. Practicing communication and insight can enhance your teamwork skills.

First-aid training –

One can face any accidental situation when they least expect it – that is why PCA need to have proper training in first aid procedures, categorically when working with the elderly. PCAs needs to be confident enough to identify medical conditions and conduct lifesaving first aid procedure like –

. CPR

. Recognizing signs of stroke and heart attacks

. Attend to seizures and shocks

. Assisting in falls or injury

Conflict resolution skills –

Disputes between clients and others can occur in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or out in the community. PCAs may often be required to help mediate situations and take the best action for resolution. But, again, understanding the conflict and identifying possible outcomes can benefit in agreeing on a solution.

So, the above-mentioned is some of the information about Personal Care Aides, i.e., PCA. If you are looking for an accredited training institute to enroll in PCA courses to start your professional journey as a certified PCA, then consult our team at Joyful Career Center today! Contact our team at (631) 935-0440 for expert guidance!