A Comprehensive Guide for Working in Aged Care Sector
Do you possess compassion for helping and taking care of older people and want to help them with their daily chores? Then, you may want to have a career in Aged care. The Government of Australia has predicted there can be about 179,000 job openings in the next five years in the aged care industry.
Responsibilities of an Aged Care Worker
The primary responsibilities of an Aged Care Worker include but are not limited to:
- Mobility Support
- Help in daily activities
- Food preparing
- Cleaning, vacuuming
- Organise social activities
- Maintaining hygiene
- Offering mental support
- Outdoor activities like going shopping
Key Roles
The roles may vary in this sector. One can work as a personal caregiver or in a residential aged care home to provide nursing support.
Aged Care Worker :
The aged carer provides supports which are beyond the capabilities of the people residing in aged care homes.
Residential Support Worker :
his also comes under personal caregiving and involves assisting clients to complete their daily chores. A worker may live with the client, stay at their residence for long hours or visit them frequently.
Community Support Worker :
To work with the disabled or older people and encourage them to participate in community support programs.
Nursing Assistant :
Providing healthcare-related support to professional doctors or registered nurses whose patients are aged people.
Registered Nurse :
Registered nurses also work to support wellbeing at aged care facilities.
What are the Main Sectors to Work in?
The demand for aged carers are high in sectors like:
Healthcare and Social Assistance:
This is the largest and fastest growing industry in Australia and employs over 1.5 million people. It covers health services such as hospitals, ambulance services, GPs and services such as child care and aged care. Many workers are female, and it is quite common to work part time.
Public Administration and Safety:
The Public Administration and Security sector covers legislative, executive and judicial activities of the Federal, State or Local Government, and includes the provision of physical, social, economic and general public security and security services; and enforcement of regulations.
Administrative and Support Services:
There’s a demand for aged carers in administrative and support services. Most of the workers in this industry are self-employed and more than 40% of them work as part-timers.
Key Skills Requirements
- Service Orientation
- Psychological Awareness
- Active Hearing
- Communication
- Monitoring
- Patient, flexible and understanding
- Supportive
- Team member
The Requirements to get a job as an Aged Carer
Educational Requirement:
The minimum qualification for the Aged Care Industry is Cert III or IV. Though educational requirements are not that strict, employers prefer to hire trained employees.
Criminal History Check:
As per the Aged Care Act 1997, a Criminal History Check may be mandatory if someone wants to work with older people. This ensures that all staff and volunteers are trained to care for the elderly and are not prosecuted for any crimes that could jeopardise the health of the aged/disabled.
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