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Healthcare

Personal Care Aides

Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily living support (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation). May also provide help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry. Work is performed in various settings depending on the needs of the care recipient and may include locations such as their home, place of work, out in the community, or at a daytime nonresidential facility.

Median salary

$34,900

Typical range

$26k – $44k

Job outlook

+17% (much faster than average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Personal Care Aides

    Entry / Junior

    $25,600

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Personal Care Aides

    Established

    $34,900

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Personal Care Aides

    Senior

    $39,545

Key skills

A typical day

  • Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
  • Administer bedside or personal care, such as ambulation or personal hygiene assistance.
  • Perform healthcare-related tasks, such as monitoring vital signs and medication, under the direction of registered nurses or physiotherapists.
  • Participate in case reviews, consulting with the team caring for the client, to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services.
  • Instruct or advise clients on issues, such as household cleanliness, utilities, hygiene, nutrition, or infant care.

Fields of study

Any field

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