As a nurse, working in personal care can feel chaotic, and knowing how to handle it doesn’t always come easy. As a result, work can feel overwhelming and stressful at times.
To help prepare you for personal care work, here’s what you can expect and some tips on working in a personal care facility.
What to Expect as a Personal Care Aide
As a personal care aide, you’re responsible for patients’ daily tasks that they may be unable to complete due to illness, disabilities, or age. Overall, becoming a personal care aide can be rewarding and fulfilling.
Here are some responsibilities that you can expect to do while working in this field.
1. Assist with Personal Tasks
One of the primary responsibilities of an aide is to assist clients with personal tasks. This includes:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Grooming
It’s crucial that you approach these tasks with empathy, respect, and sensitivity to ensure that your patients maintain as much dignity and comfort as possible.
2. Complete Housekeeping Tasks
As a care aide, you may also have to take on housekeeping duties. This involves cleaning, laundry, meal prep, vacuuming, and even grocery shopping.
Doing these tasks helps to create a sustainable, liveable, and comfortable environment for your patients.
3. Organize Schedules
For patients needing personal care, maintaining a structured daily schedule is essential to providing a sense of normalcy and safety.
This means helping to organize patients’ schedules, making sure they attend appointments, and ensuring that they are taking medicine as prescribed. Also, be sure to make time for engaging activities to help promote their physical and mental health.
Keep in mind that this will require excellent time management skills to ensure that all tasks are completed.
4. Plan Appointments
Keeping track of meal times or exercise aren’t the only areas that you’ll need to manage.
As a care aide, you’ll often be expected to plan and track medical appointments and other services. Checkups, therapies, exams, and other activities will need thorough tracking.
You’ll also have to ensure that the patient attends each one or that house visits are made accordingly. This will involve clear communication with healthcare providers, family members, and the patient.
Remember that being a personal care aide involves more than just assistance. It’s a job that requires compassion, empathy, respect, and organization to ensure that the patient receives the best care possible.
Also, keep in mind that the job can be challenging. But it’s also rewarding and satisfying to witness your positive impact on someone and their life.
Tips for Working in a Personal Care Facility
As previously mentioned, working as a care aide requires an attentive skillset to accomplish unique challenges.
Whether you’re a new or an experienced nurse looking for a new career opportunity, here are some tips on working in a personal care facility.
1. Read and Complete Charts Thoroughly
Patient charts are a vital source of information for all team members and staff.
Be sure to thoroughly read and understand each patient’s medical history, care plan, and special requirements. Doing so will teach you how to best serve them on an individual scale.
Also, remember to accurately and frequently document information like updates, appointments, and daily care. This helps other staff and team members understand what needs to be completed or checked up on.
2. Get to Know Your Patients
When working in this field, it’s important to build genuine connections with your patients. Learn their preferences, interests, personal histories, and unique quirks.
Doing so will improve their quality of life while allowing you to become a better support system, giving you a rewarding feeling.
3. Stay Organized
Care facilities can be fast-paced environments, so it’s crucial to stay organized and manage your workload effectively.
If this is something you struggle with, try creating a system that prioritizes tasks. You can also keep your workspace tidy and use tools like calendars or checklists to help you stay on track.
Find What Suits You with CynaMed
Are you looking for a new career opportunity but unsure where to start? At CynaMed, we take our time learning who you are as an employee and person so we can match you with well-suited employers. Simply apply online or visit our office in Pittsburgh to get the start you need.
