What does a Personal Care Provider do?

A Personal Care Provider is the primary caregiver of elderly, disabled, and bedridden clients. They typically live with the client to administer around-the-clock care. This consists of assisting with personal care, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing. Personal Care Providers should also know basic first aid to follow a healthcare plan from the client’s physician. This can include tasks such as administering medicine, changing bandages, and monitoring blood sugar. A Personal Care Provider may also upkeep the home by doing light housework.

Personal Care Provider skills and qualifications

Personal Care Providers should assist with day-to-day tasks. They are not nurses, so they don’t require an advanced medical background. Some of the skills and qualifications they should hold to perform their duties include:

• Ability to maintain a clean living environment
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Great written and verbal communication
• Willingness to work flexible hours
• Knowledge of basic first aid
• Ability to perform minor housekeeping tasks
• Physically able to support clients who have limited mobility
• Able to offer both emotional and physical support

Personal Care Provider experience requirements

A Personal Care Provider should have some experience working with elderly, disabled, or bedridden patients. Experience can come from previously held professional roles, or from taking care of personal connections who needed personal care. Prior experience maintaining a household by cleaning and organizing it is beneficial as well. Personal Care Providers should have a basic understanding of first aid and emergency protocols to ensure they keep their clients safe. Personal Care Providers require a lot of transferable skills, such as strong communication, empathy, and organizational abilities. Experience in a field like hospitality or retail can be beneficial in preparing candidates for some elements of personal care.

Personal Care Provider education and training requirements

As many Personal Care Providers are self-employed and hired by clients directly, there are no strict education or training requirements for the position. However, agencies and clients typically prefer Personal Care Providers to have completed high school or a GED. Many colleges in Canada also offer Caregiver training programs that give candidates a certificate and prepare them for the job. Finally, most positions require Personal Care Providers to have a recent background check and first aid certification.

Job salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Personal Care Provider in Canada is $38,072 per year. This varies based on the hiring agency/company, experience, and location.

Job description samples for similar positions

Here are some other job description samples available if this is not quite what you’re looking for:

• Caregiver
• Care Assistant