People age each day, and babies are also born each day, thus increasing professional caregiver jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, caregiver jobs are rapidly growing, increasing to about 69%.
This growth is higher as compared to an average appointment. What’s more is that caregiver jobs will always be necessary, as there is a certain touch that a human caregiver can give that technology might not ever be able to.
If you are interested in starting a career as a professional caregiver, read on to learn about how to do so and what the career entails.
What Caregivers Do
If your passion is helping people, consider starting a caregiver career. Caregivers play a significant role in society, providing daily assistance to the fragile, elderly, mentally disturbed, physically challenged, and sick people. These people need help in conducting daily routines such as bathing, taking medication, eating, grooming, going to the bathroom, and doing house chores.
Caregivers also ensure that their clients keep their doctor’s appointments; they help with transportation and sometimes serve as companions. Before starting a caregiver career, you must have a big personality to help others since this career is not only about the money but doing the right thing. The employer can be the client, family members, a physician, or a nurse in charge of the client’s health status.
Key Steps to Starting a Caregiver Career
Becoming a professional is not a straightforward task, as it entails a full-time commitment to the client. Do not stress out if you want to begin a caregiver career; follow the below concrete steps to convert your skills, passion, and qualifications into a long-term career. A caregiver must be focused, calm, compassionate, motivated, hardworking, knowledgeable, and patient to be good at giving care to the client.
1. Consider Your Motivations
Clarify the reasons you want to be a professional caregiver and the challenges you will face during the job. Also, consider if you have the traits and interests to do the job.
2. Research
Talk to other professionals in the caregiver career to have a different point of view about the business. Also, seek information on the working hours, the pay, education requirements, and other career requirements.
3. Visit Caregiver Related Organizations
These organizations offer seminars, classes, and a chance to interact with other people with the same passion as you to help others. Attend their classes to learn more about the job, as you are about to set the wheels of change for a long time.
4. Educational Qualifications
A degree is a compulsory requirement to become a professional caregiver, but it serves as an added advantage to getting a license as a caregiver. Go for training to be certified and gain more knowledge and skills to work with clients. It’s not a caregiver requirement, but at least have a high school diploma and a certificate for which caregiver agencies receiving Medicare and Medicaid will ask.
5. Investigate the Salaries
According to BLS, caregivers earn approximately $9.70 per hour, which is equivalent to $20,170 per year. Ask for more information from other caregivers since the pay varies with the client’s status and the services offered.
Skills and Requirements
- Time Management – Caregivers must uphold the client’s schedule. You will be responsible for ensuring the client takes medication on time and is not late to the doctor’s appointment.
- Interpersonal Skills – Caregiving jobs require passion and sensitivity since some clients might be in pain or fragile.
- Stamina – Some clients require lifting to get to the bathroom, bed, or car, and thus, you must have the strength.
Conclusion
Caregiver jobs are available on Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, and LinkedIn, giving you a wide range of options to start your career. You can also visit a caregiver agency that will refer you to clients. Starting a caregiver career is not stressful anymore with the above qualifications and the increase in jobs.
Also read – How to Become a Registered Nurse