Personal Caregiver Job Responsibilities and Outlook

Personal caregivers and home health aides provide assistance to people who have illness, disabilities, and other limitations. As a caregiver, you’ll help patients prepare and eat meals, change clothes, bathe, use the bathroom, and handle their housework. The exact responsibilities will vary — some people only need basic assistance, while others require more hands-on care.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for home health and personal care aides was $25,280 per year in 2019. The growing job market may change that number; the BLS estimates that the number of personal caregiver jobs will increase by 34 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is significantly faster than the average growth rate for other occupations.

That’s largely due to the aging population of the United States. As the Baby Boomer generation gets older, the need for personal care services will expand considerably. In other words, experienced personal caregivers will be in high demand for the next several decades, which could mean higher salaries and more competitive benefits.

By growing your skills and specializing in certain types of care, you can start building an exciting, fulfilling career. Many caregivers obtain licensed practical nursing (LPN) and registered nursing (RN) certifications while working their day jobs, so if you’re looking for a way to enter the medical field, becoming a personal care aide is an excellent first step.

Advantages of Online Caregiver Certification Programs

Each state has different requirements for personal caregivers and home health aides. Typically, employers require a high school diploma (or GED) and a certification. Some employers don’t require certifications, but obtaining this credential can help you find higher paying jobs with competitive benefits.

Many schools and training institutions offer online programs to help you earn appropriate certifications and start working right away. Online certification courses offer a number of advantages including:

• Flexible Coursework- To become a caregiver, you’ll need to learn about medical ethics, confidentiality standards, and basic patient care. Online programs allow you to acquire these skills at your own pace. That can be enormously beneficial if you’re working another job or caring for your family.
• Fast Completion- Some courses can be completed in a single day. Other programs are geared towards helping students earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential, which can take more time; while a CNA credential isn’t necessary for many personal care aide jobs, acquiring this certificate can expand your opportunities.
• State-Specific Training- You’ll need to look for courses that will allow you to work in your state. Fortunately, online programs are often tailored towards meeting individual state requirements — that can give you peace of mind when you’re ready to apply for jobs.

Online personal caregiver programs are typically inexpensive. However, to find an affordable, flexible course, you’ll need to look at as many options as possible. Look at factors like class topics, completion timeframe, and pass rates. By reviewing at least 3-4 programs, you’ll be able to complete your certificate with confidence.

Some Certification Programs Offer Job Placement

The need for certified personal caregivers continues to grow, and many certification programs have partnered with employers to help their students find work as soon as they’ve earned their credentials. That means that as soon as you’ve completed the necessary coursework, you can begin your career and start building your professional experience.

However, you should also review the terms of these programs with great care. Determine whether you will be guaranteed job placement and whether you’ll need to sign a contract with the employer. Make sure that the job offers competitive pay and benefits — by searching online, you can quickly decide whether the position is comparable with similar jobs.

Finding Personal Caregiver Jobs and Certifications Online

Whether you’ve earned your certification or you’re considering a personal caregiver career for the first time, the internet allows you research effectively and accurately. Remember to look at a variety of resources. Look at job listings from around your area to learn about employer expectations, and if you’re taking online courses, make sure that they offer certificates that will help you get hired in your state.

Personal caregivers serve an incredibly important function in the American healthcare system. Becoming a personal care or home health aide can provide a path to fulfilling, stable employment, and as the need for caregivers rises, your work opportunities will grow.