Are you looking for a job that offers you flexibility, part-time hours, excellent employment prospects and a deep sense of personal fulfillment? If so, you may want to consider becoming a home carer. These health workers are trained to work in private homes and residential care facilities for people with disabilities and those recovering from illness. Some home carers care for older people who are no longer self-sufficient. Most states require no specific training other than high school; some countries don't even require you to have a license. In Italy it is necessary to have the qualification of OSA, OSS or professional nurse Follow these steps if you want to become a home assistant.
Steps
Step 1. Learn what functions a home care provider performs
As much as you may like to help others, you need to be aware that some tasks (such as cleaning the pan and changing dirty sheets) are not particularly pleasant.
- Go to the Home Care Assistant site to view a list of typical tasks.
- Contact a home care company and ask if you can partner an employee for a day or two so you can see firsthand what the job entails.
Step 2. Decide if you have the mental and physical capacity for this job
- See if you have enough patience, compassion, and the ability to remain cheerful, even when you have to care for disoriented patients who don't seem to appreciate your hard work.
- You probably need to undergo medical tests and obtain a medical certificate attesting to your physical ability to lift and carry patients.
Step 3. Check the requirements in your country
Each state establishes different education and training requirements that home caregivers must possess in order to carry out this work.
- Contact the https://www.serviziosociale.com/ for more information. They will be able to tell you if a high school diploma is required, and if you need previous formal experience in a healthcare setting.
- Ask if you need to get a certification or a license and what kind of exams you need to take.
- Find out if it is necessary to complete the training directly in the workplace (with an internship, for example, by contacting a company that performs these assistance services), before receiving the final certification or an authorization issue. Specifically, ask if you need to become a nurse and / or take state exams.
Step 4. Find out how your country manages the home care service
Contact the Home Nursing Service (SID). Find out if you need to get an appointment from a nurse, who supervises the work
Step 5. Meet the education and training requirements required to be hired
- Get your high school diploma, even if your country doesn't require it as a prerequisite. Having a diploma can make career advancement easier and become a coordinator or supervisor.
- Take a home care course. You can inquire in your region.
- Search the internet to see if you can take an online course.
- Complete pre-employment training, which many healthcare companies require. Usually there is a period of several months of work under the control of a licensed operator. You may also be required to attend seminars and conferences. At the end of the training, you will have to pass an exam.
Step 6. Apply for Habilitation and Certification
While it is mandatory, state certification increases your chances of being hired.
- Get informed to enroll in the Register, once the training is complete.
- Contact the National Home Care Association and ask for their voluntary certification program.
