Working in a private home, working for a health care services firm, teaching, and working for a government agency are the four different types of personal care assistant jobs. Clients who are recovering from surgery or who require assistance with daily personal tasks are assigned to a personal care assistant. A personal care assistant’s role is critical to seniors’ ability to maintain their independence and to people who have been discharged from the hospital but are still recovering.
You must complete a post-secondary training program at a community or career college to work as a personal care assistant. This program usually lasts nine to twelve months. Daily personal hygiene, how to move a patient without injuring them, and working with clients with diminished mental capacity are all covered in these classes. Before being considered for admission, most programs require candidates to have at least five years of full-time work experience.
Many personal care assistants assist clients in the comfort of their own homes. Volunteer agencies, support groups, health-care firms, and social workers can all make referrals. A visit schedule is established, as well as a list of personal care assistant tasks to be completed during each visit. Most health insurance plans cover this service because it is much less expensive than a hospital or long-term care facility stay.
In a health-care services company, there are a variety of personal care assistant jobs to choose from. Clients can choose from a variety of therapies and support services provided these private organizations. A personal care assistant two days a week, a physical therapist once a week, and a massage therapist every two weeks can be arranged the patient or his family. The personal care assistant collaborates with other members of the health-care team to ensure that the client is progressing and receiving the appropriate level of care.
Personal care assistants can work as instructors at local community centers, instructing family members on how to help a loved one who is recovering from surgery or who has become frail. Many professionals complete an adult education certificate program in order to become instructors. Learning the most effective methods for teaching adults can be extremely beneficial when making this career change.
Personal care assistant positions are available in a variety of government agencies that deal with social services. They are usually in charge of collaborating with the social worker and other members of the health care team to meet the needs of the client. Many governments have adopted a “prevention” approach to social services, in which they are willing to invest additional resources in the long run in the hopes of lowering total support costs.