Healthcare Support
Personal Care Aides
Also called: Care Provider, Caregiver, Direct Care Worker, Home Care Aide
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
High school diploma
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to 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.
- Care for individuals or families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
- Perform housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, or running errands.
- Provide clients with communication assistance, typing their correspondence or obtaining information for them.
- Train family members to provide bedside care.
- Plan, shop for, or prepare nutritious meals or assist families in planning, shopping for, or preparing nutritious meals.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation4.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Persuasion2.4/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.6/5
- Transportation3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma48%
- Associate's degree22%
- Less than high school18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.