My LER

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.

SOC: 31-1122.00

Common Job Titles

CaregiverHome Care AidePersonal Care AidePersonal Care Attendant (PCA)

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • Hands-onPerform activities of daily living support including feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation in home, community, and nonresidential facility settings, adapting to individual client needs.
  • KnowledgeAssess client physical and emotional status through observation and monitoring during daily care routines, identifying changes requiring supervisor notification.
  • MindsetIntegrate client-centered care principles with therapeutic communication when establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with care recipients and families.
  • KnowledgeApply time management strategies to organize, plan, and prioritize multiple care activities across varied client locations, balancing immediate needs with scheduled tasks.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate home environment safety hazards and care compliance standards in diverse residential settings, recommending modifications to supervisors when needed.
  • MindsetEngage with individuals with disabilities or illness to provide personalized care across diverse settings, demonstrating sensitivity to client dignity and preferences.
  • Hands-onOperate assistive devices and adaptive equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, patient lifts, and mobility aids following safety protocols to support client independence and prevent injury.
  • KnowledgeDemonstrate instructional techniques to teach clients self-care skills and promote independence using patience and adaptability to match client learning needs and abilities.
  • Hands-onExecute vital sign monitoring using blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, and glucometers documenting findings accurately for care team review.
  • Hands-onPerform light housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry tasks supporting client health and well-being in home and community environments.
  • MindsetRespect client autonomy, cultural values, and individual preferences when coordinating care activities and making daily decisions about service delivery.
  • KnowledgeApply critical thinking and problem-solving approaches to address unexpected care challenges working independently in community settings with supervisor consultation available.
Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • English Language3.6/5
  • Transportation3.4/5
  • Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
  • Psychology3.4/5
  • Education and Training3.4/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

MEDITECH software

Technology Skills

AppletreeAugust Systems Visit WizardComputer reading softwareEmail softwareFaceTimeMi-Co Mi-FormsSpreadsheet softwareVoltage SecureMail

Tools & Equipment

Adjustable widemouth pliersAdjustable wrenchesAlarm systemsAutomatic blood pressure machinesBack bracesBed scalesBedpansBlood pressure cuffs