At certain stages of our lives, we realize we are not as self-sufficient as we thought we were. At older age or in sickness we might need some help in doing our daily activities and that’s where a personal care assistant enters the stage. A personal care assistant, known as PCA is a health worker that can help a patient that needs assistance in daily activities.

The field of work of a PCA is very diverse as they can work in private homes to assist a patient in their own environment. Certification and training may not even be necessary in some states.

In order to be a Patient Care Assistant you will be required to go through a PCA training course, certification may not be required. To get the certification you will be required to pass an online exam or competency evaluation. The length and content of the course will vary depending on the career goals of the individual.

Certification brings something more to the table.

The terms “caregiver” and “PCA caregiver” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two and this raises the question, of whether getting a certification is actually worth it.

Being a caregiver can be sometimes hard to explain, in broad terms of the word it can be somebody who offers care for somebody who needs it. So, under these conditions, why do you need a PCA certificate in order to offer care to somebody else? Why should you go through a PCA online course certification?

When you are certified that means you have passed through an extensive training program that’s backed up by a reputable organization that can guarantee that you are well versed in different disciplines required to offer proper care. This means people can have the certainty that they have the required knowledge of basic health care, safety procedures, and infection control.

We should also mention that in some states and jurisdictions, you need to be licensed in order to act as a PCA, so having a certification can be crucial in order to open up your network and working opportunities.

So, it’s better to be certified? The decision of what kind of care a patient needs will depend on many different factors. But usually, all doctors will recommend the assistance of a PCA. If the person receiving care requires more specialized care, such as assistance with medication administration or wound care, then a PCA-certified caregiver may be the better option. However, if the person is only requiring basic personal care, then a caregiver may be sufficient.

PCA online course Training duration and costs

The length and requirements of the training program of PCA online courses varies from state to state. You can find shorter programs, that can be completed in hours, while others can take weeks or even months to be completed. When you finish the course, you will need to take an exam that will certify you as a PCA. When you finish the course, you will be able to work in more specialized roles than a person who is not certified. Certain medical facilities prefer certified people because they know that can respond better to stressful situations.

If you need financial aid to do a PCA course, consult with the institution to see if they offer help so you can have access to the certification. You can also check with your state government to see if they offer any subsidies or grants for PCA certification.

So, is worth investing the time and the money to certify yourself as a PCA? Yes, it is totally worth it. Nowadays personal care assistants are highly requested in different institutions, and this opens to door to many job opportunities. Having a certification will impact positively your access to new job opportunities.

Look what a PCA Course can give you

A PCA course is a valuable asset to a resume, also having a certification will tell others that you are good in what you do and have made an extra effort to become better, and when it comes to caring for other people, all experience and preparation are highly appreciated.

Your job opportunities will increase, as the demand for trained personnel is getting higher and you will get access to better salary opportunities as a certified professional, then those who aren’t certified.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of home health aides and personal care aides will grow 34% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Summary

A PCA Online Course will put you on the right track for a career in caregiving and when you consider that it is a relatively short and affordable program that can lead to fulfilling jobs with room for advancement, it’s definitely a no-brainer.. Click here to take the first step in your PCA Journey!