How to Become a Home Caregiver for Seniors in Virginia
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
April 24th, 2023
Caregiving is a rewarding profession that offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in people's lives.
From listing the day-to-day responsibilities of caregivers to explaining a few different roles within the caregiving field, this blog will provide you with valuable insights to help you navigate the world of caregiving with confidence. We also discuss the various training and caregiving certification requirements for those who are interested in pursuing this vocation.
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.
What Does a Caregiver Do?
Before finding a Virginia caregiver program that will teach you how to become an elderly caregiver, you should know what caregiving entails. A caregiver for seniors is responsible for providing non-medical support and assistance to older adults, helping them maintain their independence, safety, and well-being. In general, a senior caregiver's job duties may include:
Personal care: Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting.
Mobility assistance: Helping seniors with mobility issues, including transferring, walking, and positioning.
Medication reminders: Ensuring that seniors take their prescribed medications on time and according to instructions.
Meal preparation: Planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals, taking into account any dietary restrictions or preferences.
Light housekeeping: Performing light housekeeping tasks (e.g., laundry, dishwashing, vacuuming) to maintain a clean and safe living environment.
Transportation: Providing or arranging transportation to medical appointments, errands, or social events.
Companionship: Offering emotional support, engaging in conversation, and participating in recreational activities to promote mental well-being and social interaction.
Monitoring health and safety: Observing the senior's physical and emotional condition and reporting any changes or concerns to family members or healthcare professionals as needed.
Communication: Effectively communicating with seniors, family members, and healthcare professionals to ensure that the senior's needs are met.
Care plan adherence: Following the care plan established by a care manager and family members, making adjustments as needed to provide the best care possible.
It's important to note that these specific job duties and responsibilities may vary based on the senior’s needs and the caregiver’s qualifications, but this list gives you a general overview of what caregivers do on a daily basis.Let’s quickly discuss a few common caregiver job titles.
3 Different Types of Caregivers
Home Health Aide (HHA), Personal Care Aide (PCA), and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) are all roles within the caregiving field, but they have some differences in terms of responsibilities, training, and scope of their practice.
Home Health Aide (HHA)
A Home Health Aide provides non-medical support and assistance to individuals in their homes, typically under the supervision of a registered nurse or therapist. HHAs may assist clients with ADLs, and some perform basic health-related tasks under the supervision of healthcare professionals. The training requirements for HHAs vary by state and employer but usually involve a state-approved training program and competency evaluation.
Personal Care Aide (PCA)
A Personal Care Aide, like an HHA, provides non-medical support and assistance to individuals in their homes or other residential settings. PCAs primarily help clients with ADLs, but they generally do not perform health-related tasks. PCA training requirements also vary by state and employer but typically involve completing a state-approved training program, which may be shorter and less comprehensive than HHA training.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A Certified Nursing Assistant works under the supervision of a licensed nurse and provides more advanced and direct patient care. In addition to assisting patients with ADLs, CNAs perform basic healthcare tasks, such as taking vital signs, assisting with medical procedures, and reporting changes in patients' conditions to the nursing staff. CNAs are required to complete a state-approved training program and pass a competency exam.In summary, CNAs have more advanced training and responsibilities, while HHAs and PCAs primarily focus on non-medical assistance and support in residential settings. Now, let’s talk about how to become a caregiver in Virginia.
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.
How to Become a Caregiver in Virginia
Becoming an agency-employed senior caregiver involves meeting specific caregiver certification requirements and qualifications set by the agency, as well as complying with state regulations. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you answer the question, “How do I become a certified caregiver?”
Meet minimum requirements: You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, be physically capable of performing caregiving tasks, and have a genuine interest in helping seniors.
Complete required training: Some agencies may require you to become a HHA, PCA, or CNA. This may involve completing a Virginia Board of Nursing-approved training program, or a Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) approved training program.
Pass an exam (if required): If you're pursuing a CNA, PCA, or Home Health Aide certification in Virginia, you'll need to pass a competency exam, which typically consists of a written portion and a skills demonstration.
Background check: Most caregiving positions, especially with agencies, require a criminal background check to ensure the safety of clients. Some employers may also require drug screening.
Obtain necessary certifications: Depending on the agency and role, you may need additional certifications, such as CPR and First Aid.
Apply for jobs: Once you have completed the required training and obtained any necessary certifications, you can start applying for caregiving jobs in Virginia.
Attend agency-specific orientation and training: After being hired by an agency, you will likely need to attend orientation and additional training to familiarize yourself with the company’s policies, procedures, and expectations.
Maintain ongoing education and certification: Many caregiving roles require ongoing education and training to stay current on best practices and maintain certifications.
At Commonwise Home Care (Commonwise), we offer in-house training to ensure that every Care Team member is both comfortable with and capable of providing first-class senior care.
Caregiver Training University by Commonwise Home Care
Caregiver University (CU) is an innovative Virginia (VA) caregiver training program that merges online training content with in-person skills training.Once you become a Commonwise caregiver, whether you have experience or not, you must enroll in CU. The online portion takes up to 8 hours to complete, followed by in-person skills training for those without previous caregiving experience.Additionally, we provide ongoing training through “Level Up Days.” These days allow caregivers to refresh their knowledge and learn new skills throughout the year that qualify them for raises.Whether you have years of caregiving experience or none at all, Commonwise Home Care’s Caregiver University is right for you. Our training program will provide you with a strong foundation while giving you the best opportunity to grow in your caregiving career.Now that you know how to become a caregiver in Virginia, apply to join our team of highly trained, competent, and compassionate caregivers in Richmond today!
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.