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
Caregiver
Home Care Aide
Personal Care Aide
Personal 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.
Proficient
KnowledgeAssess client physical and emotional status through observation and monitoring during daily care routines, identifying changes requiring supervisor notification.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate client-centered care principles with therapeutic communication when establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with care recipients and families.
Proficient
KnowledgeApply time management strategies to organize, plan, and prioritize multiple care activities across varied client locations, balancing immediate needs with scheduled tasks.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate home environment safety hazards and care compliance standards in diverse residential settings, recommending modifications to supervisors when needed.
Proficient
MindsetEngage with individuals with disabilities or illness to provide personalized care across diverse settings, demonstrating sensitivity to client dignity and preferences.
Developing
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.
Developing
KnowledgeDemonstrate instructional techniques to teach clients self-care skills and promote independence using patience and adaptability to match client learning needs and abilities.
Developing
Hands-onExecute vital sign monitoring using blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, and glucometers documenting findings accurately for care team review.
Developing
Hands-onPerform light housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry tasks supporting client health and well-being in home and community environments.
Developing
MindsetRespect client autonomy, cultural values, and individual preferences when coordinating care activities and making daily decisions about service delivery.
Developing
KnowledgeApply critical thinking and problem-solving approaches to address unexpected care challenges working independently in community settings with supervisor consultation available.
Developing
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
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
