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Personal Care Assistant jobs may not be one that comes to mind when thinking about working from home. While these are not remote jobs they can often flexibility for those needing part-time or alternate work schedules. If you enjoy interacting with others and don’t mind leaving the house for work, this may be a healthcare career to consider.
Personal Care Assistant Duties
A personal care aide can help a client “age in place.” It has become increasingly popular in recent years for those with disabilities, chronic illnesses or simply getting up in age to live at home as long as possible before transitioning to a full-time care facility. While this setup is the most desirable, especially for those who don’t need regular medical assistance, it isn’t always possible if a family member isn’t available as a direct care worker to tend to everyday needs. That is where a personal care aide can come in.
Unlike a home health aide, a PCA does not provide medical care. Instead, they tend to the day-to-day tasks that are necessary to maintain quality daily living.
Personal care services may include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Grooming
- Medication reminders
- Light housekeeping
- Cooking
As you can see, these types of duties can be needed around the clock. Many PCAs have a schedule consisting of 4 to 8-hour shifts. Some clients may only need an hour or so of help per day.
Job demand for personal care assistants
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% increase in personal care assistant jobs from 2019 to 2029. Over 1 million jobs are expected to be added.
That being said, this isn’t the highest-paying job around. The median salary in 2019 was just over $25,000 per year.
Personal Care Assistant Requirements
When researching this field, over and over again you will see the word “compassion” in the job description. Just as important as the training required for this field so is the right personality and soft skills. You must have the drive to help others along with a lot of patience and understanding. It’s essential that you form a bond with your client.
When it comes to training, many PCAs are trained on the job at healthcare facilities by a registered nurse. In some states, however, more formal training and licensing are required to be a home care worker for someone other than a family member. That training can often be completed at community colleges or vocational schools.
Whether you are a family caregiver, private care provider, or work for a personal care agency will often determine the prerequisites for employment.
Workplaces for personal care assistants
As mentioned above, personal care aides may work for family members, themselves or an agency. Visiting Angels is perhaps one of the most widely known in-home personal care agencies in the U.S. Depending on your location, you may have other agencies of varying size with personal care assistant jobs available. You may even be able to find work through hospitals and other home care facilities.
Because these jobs often come with a company-dictated schedule, most agency positions are employee status. They may offer benefits such as health insurance and paid time off for full-time employees. Some companies may even offer tuition assistance to those looking to further their healthcare career.
