Career Opportunities For Caregiving: What Is The Job Of A Caretaker?
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
February 7th, 2022
If you’re looking to make a difference in your community and bring hope to those in need, you should consider jobs related to caregiving. Career opportunities for caregiving offer growth and stability. Jobs related to caregiving are becoming a critical necessity to support an aging population. By 2050, experts estimate close to 28 million people will need some level of caregiving or long-term care assistance.
There are many caretaker jobs to choose from, including:
Family support manager
In-home caregiving/caretaking
Caregiver trainer
Home health aide
Each of these caregiver pathways has its unique responsibilities, but all roles share one common theme: caring for those who cannot care for themselves alone.Are you just beginning your search for jobs related to caregiving?Have you been wondering, "What is the job of a caretaker?"Read on to learn more about career opportunities for caregiving and the skills you’ll need to succeed.
What Is The Job Of A Caretaker?
Determining which type of caregiver job is right for you starts with understanding the basics of caregiving. So, what is the job of a caretaker?At its core, a caretaker looks after someone who needs additional assistance in various aspects of life. Their goal is to protect the health and well-being of an individual.
What Are The Potential Caregiver Pathways?
There are manyjobs related to caregiving, and choosing a particular path doesn't mean you’ll spend your entire career in that role. In fact, through proper training and education, you can continue to grow your career in additional responsibilities, certifications, and salary.
Do You Need A Degree To Be A Caregiver?
The level of education required for a caregiver depends on the exact role. For some, a high school diploma is enough to get started in this rewarding career. Other roles require formal education or certification. If you choose to move up the caregiving career ladder, different caregiver pathways will require different levels of expertise.Each state also has its own requirements for training and certification, so it's best to do your research with your local caregiver, elder care, or home health agencies.
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.
Jobs Related To Caregiving
There are manycareer opportunities for caregiving – and no shortage of openings!Here are some of the top caregiver jobs that pay well, along with their desired qualifications.
Family Support Manager
Family support managers assist families and communities by providing services such as:
Crisis intervention
Care coordination
Patient advocacy
Support for families coping with drastic changes in a loved one’s behavior or declining health
Referrals for further care or evaluations
Family support managers may work with adult children caring for their senior parents, or younger parents (or even grandparents) caring for a child with special needs.Employers typically require family support managers to have a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling.
In-Home Caregiving/Caretaking
An in-homecaregiver career opportunity is ideal for those who are passionate about making a meaningful and visible difference for seniors.In-home caretakers have training in and can assist with:
Personal grooming, bathing, and toileting
Dressing and feeding
Incontinence care
Light exercising, like walking
Transportation services to doctors or errands
Basic medication management
If you’re interested in becoming a caregiver, you’ll be happy to know that formal education or certifications aren’t typically required. Instead, the top home care agencies offer personalized training to prepare you for the unique responsibilities and challenges you may have.
Caregiver Trainer
As the population ages, the need for talented caregivers is rising. A caregiver trainer is another great career opportunity to help seniors. Though more indirect than one-on-one caregiving, a caregiver trainer coaches other caretakers on how to best tend to the needs of those who are ill, aging, or have disabilities. Typically, this job requires at least a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling. Oftentimes, these roles will also require some level of previous caregiver experience.
Home Health Aide
A home health aide is an excellent option for those who want to provide more health-focused care to seniors. While they can provide support for daily activities, they also assist with:
Taking vitals
Administering medications
Changing bedpans or other toileting needs
Operate basic medical equipment (with proper training)
Like in-home caretakers, most agencies don’t require home health aides to have a formal education; however, many opt for home health aide certifications for better jobs related to caregiving.
What Are The Benefits Of Caregiver Pathways And Careers?
Aside from the fact that there are many caregiver jobs that pay well, there are many other benefits to becoming a caretaker, including:
Enjoying a rewarding career helping aging seniors stay independent as long as possible
Building a resume with compassionate experience and continuous learning
Creating professional relationships with others who are truly passionate about what they do
Making connections in your community by caring for those near you
If you’re interested in becoming a caregiver, there’s no time like the present to get started.
Find a Caregiver Career Opportunity with Commonwise
If you’re passionate about helping others, there are many jobs related to caregiving that just might be the perfect fit. From family support manager and caregiver trainer to in-home caregiver or home health aide, you’ll find many fulfilling caregiver jobs that pay well. Working as a caretaker is not always easy, but choosing an employer that values its workers can make it much more rewarding. If you’re ready to start a career in caregiving, we can help you. At Commonwise Home Care, we provide high-quality, compassionate care to seniors and individuals who need extra assistance living life to the fullest. Our caregivers are the best in the industry thanks to their passion, dedication, and extensive Commonwise training. They enjoy flexible schedules and unique opportunities to grow within our company. We also provide direct mentorship and support to our care team, so caregivers never feel isolated despite working individually in our clients’ homes. Are you ready to help us set a new standard for elderly home care? It’s time to discover if we’re the right fit. We invite you to check out our current openings and apply for an exciting caregiver career opportunity today.
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.