What it’s Like Working in Aged Care?

You need to be a special type of person to work in Aged Care. Working with people in their twilight years is rewarding but you need stamina, empathy and resilience to care for the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

With Australia’s ageing population expected to grow even further, it is vital we have people willing to step up and care for those who have contributed so much to this country throughout their lifetime.

If you are thinking of a new career and aged care interests you, Aged Carers are in high demand. If you are a caring, compassionate person, dedicated to caring for others, then studying for a Certificate III in Individual Support is just the beginning of your new career.

What Do Home Carers Do?

As a Home Carer you visit people in their homes to help them maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Home Carers make a huge difference to people’s lives. The work they do may include:

• Shopping and preparing food
• Accompanying clients as they go about their daily activities
• Doing tasks around the house such as washing, cleaning and ironing
• Helping with personal care such as dressing, showering and shaving
• Helping with transport and mobility
• Giving emotional support and companionship
• Organising or going with clients on outings and to appointments
• Medication management
• Feeding pets and even taking the dog for a walk
• Overnight stays

What are the benefits of working in aged care?

While being an Aged Care Worker is often challenging, it can also be very rewarding for the right people. Here are just two of the benefits:

1.    Flexible Workplaces

Being an Aged Care Worker gives you flexibility. You can work part- or full-time and you can work in a variety of different homes. No one day will be the same, with the needs of your clients being different from day-to-day. You may also be able to work around your children’s needs and close to home.

2.    Job Opportunities

With Australia’s ageing population set to greatly increase, there will be huge growth in the jobs available. While the majority of care workers are female between the ages of 45 and 55, there is a growing need for men to become care workers too. If you are tired of your current job, becoming an Aged Care Worker can be a good opportunity for a change of career.

How to become an aged care worker

To become an Aged Care Worker you need to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community). You will also need CPR training and a current First Aid Certificate.

Ask yourself the following questions to help decide whether you are suitable to train as an Aged Care Worker:

• How do you cope with change at short notice?
• Are you flexible?
• Can you follow safety procedures?
• How do you feel about working while wearing personal protective equipment?
• Are you capable of working unsupervised?
• Can you make accurate reports about your clients?
• Do you like being physically close to people?

Did you answer yes to any of these questions? If so, contact us now to find out how to take the next step to becoming an Aged Care Worker.

How to find a job in aged care

Once you have a qualification in aged care and are in the process of looking for work, there are multiple ways you can find a job:

1. Register with an agency – Healthcare Australia is a leading recruitment provider who specialise in finding your dream job. They make the process easy. Simply register with HCA and they will do the rest!
2. Job boards – there are lots of different job boards you can use to search for jobs in your local area.
3. Apply directly – if you have an idea of where you would like to work, you can give them a call or send an email with a cover letter and CV attached. If you do apply via email, always remember to follow up with a call 1-2 days later!