AA
Certified Care Manager, Aging Life Care Professional, and National Master Guardian Emeritus
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If you are thinking about becoming a certified caregiver, you will be entering one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% increase for certified nursing assistants and personal care aides (personal care aides do not have certification requirements.)
We have the perfect storm of increasing care needs and a rapidly aging population. Add to that a changing healthcare environment that includes everything from assisted living communities, to rehab facilities, home health, home care, continuing retirement communities, outpatient clinics, and hospitals.
The steps for becoming a certified caregiver for aging adults is not a complicated process, but one that may vary from state to state. It is worth keeping in mind that each state dictates what a certified caregiver can do, and the training will reflect those job responsibilities. Also, where you work also determines the skill set you will need to do your job.
The reasons people want to become caregivers are as varied as the individuals themselves. The job market is very strong for certified caregivers, so finding a job in the area you want should be relatively easy with commitment and a desire to give to your community. Some of the reasons you may want to become caregiver are the following:
Being a certified caregiver means being able to rely upon a complex set of people skills. You will be dealing not only with the client that you serve, but family members as well. Some skills to keep in mind:
Becoming and working as a certified caregiver is not without its drawbacks. The first one is wages. Before you jump into the field, have a good idea of what pay you can expect. Pay varies according to the state where you live. Look here for state by state average hourly pay for caregivers.
You will have to travel in your own car to see clients unless you are working in assisted living or skilled nursing. In some cases, the mileage may be reimbursed but travel time might not be.
Some caregiver duties may be physically challenging. Certain clients may need help transferring, walking, or getting to the bathroom. If you have several clients like this the work can be exhausting.
Although many agencies work with caregivers to give them the shifts they want, be prepared to be asked to work hours that may not fit your schedule. As with many jobs, you don’t get to choose your clients, so be prepared to work with difficult and complicated clients and patients.
The first step to getting started on becoming a certified caregiver is to understand the terms that apply depending on the state where you live. Some interchangeable terms are: Certified Nurse Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, or State Registered Nurse Aides.
Review what is required by your state . Every state is different and the testing reflects what an aide is allowed to do per state requirements. Some states allow for many medical tasks, and others are very restrictive. For example, some states allow a certified caregiver to administer medications, and others only allow a caregiver to give reminders.
Find a testing location in your state. Some testing and training sites are located at nursing schools, through agencies that want to hire you, the Red Cross, CNA training centers, or even online.
Requirements may include but are not limited to the following: criminal background check and a written examination. Before you are hired by an agency, they may also require a drug test. The certified nursing examination may include knowledge of the following skills.
You may also be required to practice some of these skills in front of an evaluator.
Then, you'll have to wait for your certificate to be mailed to you and then apply for jobs.
Here is where things get a little complicated. If you are going into this field thinking that you can use a variety of clinical skills, check the state you live in first. Every state is different in terms of what you will be allowed to do with your clients or patients.
The best place to view your state’s requirements is through the AARP Long Term Services and Supports State Scorecard. This resource will give you an idea of what tasks are legally allowed.
Certified caregivers work in a variety of settings. Some choose home care agencies. Others prefer assisted living or nursing home settings. Others prefer to work with home health care companies. Each setting has its advantages and disadvantages, and pay may vary as well.
Once you have your certificate verifying you are a certified caregiver, you will have many options to choose from. Be prepared to ask questions that will help you decide which company or setting might be best for you. Some questions to consider:
In all honesty, certified nursing assistants are generally well regarded for the hard work they put into their jobs. However, in these fast-paced environments, you may sometimes feel like a pawn in a chess game where you are moved around from client to client.
Remember this: a good caregiver should be a well-respected member of the healthcare team. If you feel you are not getting the hours, pay, or clients that you deserve, communicate that in a clear and professional manner.
If you are dissatisfied with the manner in which you are treated, think about looking for another agency or company. Your chances of being hired by someone better are high.
Unlike other medical and nursing degrees, becoming a certified caregiver is slightly different in each state. Also, the term “caregiver” can be misleading as there are professional caregivers that are not certified and yet provide many of the same duties as certified caregivers. Then there are online companies that pair caregivers with customers. Some of those caregivers will be certified, but many will not be. Next, some families hire people they know in the community, through their church or by placing an ad.
Each method of getting a job as a certified caregiver has its advantages and disadvantages. It is unnecessary to be a certified caregiver in all three options, but doing so may make you more marketable and allow you to perform medical tasks permitted by state law. Let’s look at the three main ways certified caregivers are employed and the pros and cons of each.
Many companies, as a condition of employment, will offer training to become certified. Companies that hire certified caregivers include home care, home health, assisted living, and healthcare settings.
Online companies like Care.com allow you to post your resume and connect with clients who want your services.
Community hiring is when you make your own arrangements with a client for care. There is no intermediary involved.
The cost to become a certified caregiver will vary depending on where you live and the curriculum. Expect to pay between $50 to $75. Some companies will offer free training if you agree to work with them.
To become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) also depends on state requirements. For example, in California, to become a CNA costs about $235. In Miami, Florida, the cost is $1,895.
The terms caregiver and certified nursing assistant are often used interchangeably, but they are different. The main difference between the two is required education and training.
CNAs must complete education and training hours (75-100 hours), take an exam, and pass a background check to work in their preferred field. Each state differs in terms of medical tasks CNAs can perform. For example, CNAs can check vital signs, draw blood, administer medications, and work with medical technology such as medical record-keeping and billing.
A caregiver, by contrast, is not permitted to perform these medical duties as they don’t have the education and training. However, states do require minimal training to work as a caregiver for a company. Sometimes as little as 10 hours. In the case of hiring through an individual, it is possible to avoid any training at all.
Both caregivers and CNAs will perform tasks like bathing and feeding patients, assisting with bathing, dressing, and hygiene, toileting, and feeding.
Caregiver and CNA pay will depend on the state and the company you work for. ZipRecruiter lists the average CNA salary with hourly rates ranging from a low of $10.73 an hour to $14.73. A caregiver working through an online company or privately can make more per hour.
You can enter the field of caregiving with no experience, but depending on state requirements, you will have to get some training. Even if you want to become a CNA, you can find work in nursing homes or other areas to perform some duties while getting your certification. The same holds true of becoming a caregiver. If a state requires no caregiver training then you can be hired by a company and they will do on the job training.
You do not need a college degree to become a caregiver, and most caregivers tend to not have secondary degrees as such. Many caregivers have a high school diploma or GED, but some states don’t require any formal education at all.
The length of time to become a caregiver depends entirely on state requirements and your schedule. Many CNA courses are online so that you can go at your own pace. The number of hours of training is entirely state dependent, and time will vary.
Some potential caregivers want to take their time and make sure they feel adequately trained before beginning work. Others are confident they can learn on the job and take any required courses while they are working.
If you are thinking about becoming a certified caregiver, know that your skills and compassion are in high demand and likely to grow. Although the aging population is in great need, other populations require the skills of caregivers as well. This includes children, the disabled, and people with intellectual disabilities.
Find your passion and be a part of a valued and important profession.
