Should I be a personal care aide? 👐

Is helping people your true calling?

Personal care is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States with 38% expected growth between 2016 and 2026.

In a job market that isn't always predictable, being a personal care aide is a path to a stable job with a rewarding purpose.

A personal care aide helps another person complete daily activities. They assist with bathing, cooking, using the bathroom, picking up heavy items, and performing simple household tasks.

That's right! Job stability is a plus for personal care aides. As the Baby Boomer population ages, more people will require the help that care aides provide.

It's a career that can lead to many opportunities and give you a positive outlook on life.

Here are some health care aides sharing what they feel about the job:

• Their job is meaningful.

• They find their personality is suited well for the work they do.

• Advances in medical technology make their jobs easier to do.

Caring for other people is the job's biggest need, so you'll need to work on the following traits:

• Service — look for ways to help people

• Social awareness — be aware of others' reactions and understand a person's actions

• Active listening — give your full attention to what people say and ask probing questions

• Speaking — talk with others to express information

• Monitoring — watch and observe a person to take corrective action

Hospital

• Work set hours or shifts, full or part-time

• Patients will need consistent care

Nursing Home

• Work set hours or shifts, full or part-time

• Patients will need consistent care

Adult Daycare

• Full-time or part-time

• Shifts are flexible based on client needs and related activities

Private Residence

• Work directly with a patient

• Full, part-time, or flexible times

• Hours arranged based on client needs

You only need a high school diploma to become a personal care aide in many places.

On-the-job training is often provided when additional training and skills are required. Training and requirements for personal care aides can include:

• Basic safety

• Cooking meals with specific dietary needs

• Be in good physical health

• Have reliable transportation

• Enjoy helping people in need

Personal care aides that work in hospitals or institutions need additional training or certification.

For example, you'll likely need to take an exam to administer medication.

The average salary for a personal care aide is...

$31,824 USA

In the United States

$34,096 CAD

In Canada

Princeton

• loves meeting new people

• enjoys travel and rock climbing

• prefers to be alone when he works

• likes eating out and trying different types of foods

Susan

• loves making crafts

• enjoys music, plays, and performances

• prefers to work with young children

• likes to cook and do household chores

Jackson

• loves to create and build

• enjoys working mostly on his computer

• prefers sending texts and emails to communicate with others

• likes to research and spend hours reading

Lex

• loves to help her disabled neighbor

• enjoys cooking and doing household chores

• prefers to be around others

• likes to talk and listens well to others

The market for personal care aides continues to grow. Take the first steps to become a personal care aide for a long and satisfying career!

When you're ready to roll up your sleeves and become a personal care aide: