You might want to become a pool attendant if you want a job that involves assisting patrons and promoting health and safety in a pool environment. The requirements for becoming a pool attendant vary depending on the job description. You’ll probably need to meet a minimum age requirement, be willing to perform maintenance and cleaning duties, and complete some on-the-job training for pool attendant jobs that don’t involve rescue. You will typically need to complete training that is identical or very similar to that provided to lifeguards to become a pool attendant who is expected to perform rescues when necessary.
The job description for a pool attendant varies from one employer to the next. Cleaning a pool and monitoring its chemical balance are some of the responsibilities of a pool attendant, as are ensuring that patrons follow the pool’s safety rules and checking patrons’ membership cards. Other employers may refer to a pool attendant as someone who can perform rescues in addition to the responsibilities listed above. The steps to becoming a pool attendant are largely determined by how an employer interprets the title. In most cases, job descriptions for pool attendants will state whether the attendant is expected to perform rescue duties.
The qualifications required to become a pool attendant are usually minimal in jobs that do not require a rescue component. Many employers demand that their attendants be at least 16 years old. Cleaning and maintenance tasks, such as adjusting a pool’s filter settings or cleaning spilled food from the deck area, are usually required of attendants. You may not need any special skills beyond these basic requirements, as it is common for employers to train attendants after they are hired.
You must be at least 16 years old and obtain certification similar to that required for lifeguards to work as a pool attendant who must perform rescues when necessary. This usually entails taking and passing classes in CPR, first aid, and water rescue techniques, as well as passing written and practical exams in each of these subjects. An attendant’s rescue duties are often secondary to his maintenance, cleaning, and supervisory duties at pools staffed with qualified lifeguards. In this case, you may require less extensive training than that provided to lifeguards.