A care assistant works in all types of care centers. As the name suggests, a care giver is required to provide support to those in need of assistance. Assistance can be emotional, manual or medical. Some patients may be suffering from severe diseases or disorders. Some need assistance to perform routine tasks. Few others crave for company and a patient ear to listen to their talk. Animals too, need a helping hand, when they are too ill or old to fend for themselves. Care assistant work includes catering to the different needs of patients and caring for their well being. Their work is different from typical office jobs and predominantly includes nursing, counseling and coordination functions. They work without much authority and under high degree of supervision.
Job Scope and Responsibilities
Care assistants perform nursing functions. Hence, they have the choice of working in different organizations that provide care and medical services to patients. They work in different capacities and perform varied responsibilities. Few of these care assistant work profiles and responsibilities are given below.
Medical Care / Nursing Assistants
Assisted Living Assistants
Day Care Centers/ Orphanage Assistants
Trauma Center Assistants
Animal Care Assistants
Qualifications
Medical centers that employ specialist care assistants demand certifications in nursing. Knowledge of common medical terminologies, diseases and treatments is a must for these assistants. Those who work as child care assistants require certifications in day care management or child psychology. However, in common practice organizations allow enthusiasts to provide assistance without formal qualifications. But such assistants do not have decision making authority and work under supervision.
Skills
The capabilities of a care giver are further enhanced by his personal attributes and qualities. Concern and sympathy are feelings that one needs to experience genuinely to be able to care for patients.
Work Hours
Professional care assistant work demands commitment for 45 hours a week, if it is on full time basis. A part time assistant needs to complete 20- 25 hours a week. They work in shifts and may work overtime, if an emergency occurs. Though they get holidays, they may have to work on weekends and during festivals to ensure continuous assistance to the patients. On the other hand, some work as care assistants, following a hobby or to support some social cause work. These assistants work voluntarily, as per their work schedule or requirements.
Work Conditions
Care givers face medical emergencies at work place that can add to work stress. All Care givers work in safe, clean and quite work places, dedicated towards giving a peaceful atmosphere to patients. However, due to presence of ailing patients, the place tends to get unclean often. Care assistants are required to endure smell and clean up filth to maintain hygiene standards at workplace.
Job Outlook
Care assistant work profile is experiencing a shortage of proficient candidates to take up responsibilities as the attrition rate is high. Care assistants need to be selfless and dedicated towards their profession. It may not be financially rewarding for care assistants, discouraging them from pursuing it as a full time career. Hence, all new job seekers are expected to get hired for jobs promptly. They find work opportunities in:
We hope you find the information provided in care assistant work profile useful in your job search.