National
| Median wages (2008) |
$9.22 hourly, $19,180 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
767,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
519,000 additional employees |
39-9021.00 - Personal and Home Care Aides
Assist elderly or disabled adults with daily living activities at the person's home or in a daytime non-residential facility. Duties performed at a place of residence may include keeping house (making beds, doing laundry, washing dishes) and preparing meals. May provide meals and supervised activities at non-residential care facilities. May advise families, the elderly, and disabled on such things as nutrition, cleanliness, and household utilities.
Sample of reported job titles:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Caregiver, Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Community Living Specialist, Companion, Direct Service Provider, Habilitation Training Specialist, Individual Service Staff (ISS), Personal Care Provider (PCP), Personal Home Care Aide
Tasks
- Perform health care related tasks, such as monitoring vital signs and medication, under the direction of registered nurses and physiotherapists.
- Administer bedside and personal care, such as ambulation and personal hygiene assistance.
- Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
- Perform housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and dishes, and running errands.
- Care for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care and help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
- Instruct and advise clients on issues such as household cleanliness, utilities, hygiene, nutrition and infant care.
- Plan, shop for, and prepare nutritious meals, or assist families in planning, shopping for, and preparing nutritious meals.
- Participate in case reviews, consulting with the team caring for the client, to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services.
- Transport clients to locations outside the home, such as to physicians' offices or on outings, using a motor vehicle.
- Train family members to provide bedside care.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Bedpans for general use — Bedpans |
| Glucose monitors or meters — Glucometers |
| Shower or bath chairs or seats for the physically challenged — Hydraulic tub seats; Shower chairs |
| Specimen collectors — Specimen containers |
| Telecommunication devices TDD or teletypewriters TTY for the physically challenged — Telecommunication devices TDD; Teletypewriters TTY |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — August Systems Private Duty Home-Care Agency Software |
| Electronic mail software — Email software; Voltage SecureMail |
| Optical character reader OCR or scanning software — Computer reading software |
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
