How To Care For Your Career Being A CareGiver

Posted on: December 5th, 2019

The duties of a caregiver vary depending on the set of responsibilities. But the main goal is the same to care for individuals with special needs. Regardless of the bond between a caregiver and an individual, caregiving is not an easy job.
The professional field of caregiving can be broken down into the following designations. Some of these designations are certified by the government to care for people. For the last two professions, caregiving enthusiasts do not need a formal qualification. Even so, facilities may insist that candidates uphold an excellent reputation and previous experience.

Medical Social Worker

A Medical Social Worker works in medical environments such as a hospital, outpatient clinic, community health agency, or long-term care facility. The job of the Medical Social Worker is to facilitate patients to acclimatize to medical and health-related issues and concerns.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), a majority of the states in the United States require candidates to have a master’s qualification to qualify for the designation. Some states accept a bachelor’s certification. Qualified Medical Social Workers will have completed 3,000 hours of supervised practice and pass a clinical exam. Once candidates pass the clinical exam, they are licensed or certified Medical Social Workers.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Think of the Licensed Clinical Social Worker as a friendly psychologist you never had. But to help individuals overcome complex life challenges such as substance abuse, mental health problems, disability, and family abuse.
According to the BLS, Licensed Clinical Social Workers must hold at least a master’s qualification, and in some cases a doctorate. Licensed Clinical Social Workers need to succeed in the national clinical exam, administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Physical Therapist

A physical therapist can diagnose and administer treatment to patients who are physically handicapped. Physical therapists not only help patients restore physical mobility but also promote emotional durability. One of their goals is to help patients minimize the need for surgery.
Physical therapy aspirants must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to become a physical therapist in the United States. Masters Physical Therapy (MPT) degrees are obsolete according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). In addition to the doctorate qualification, candidates must pass the national physical therapy exam and apply for a license.

Occupational Therapists

Candidates wishing to practice occupational therapy need to have a minimum master’s degree. The master’s qualification will include six months of supervised fieldwork. During the fieldwork, candidates can apply what they have learned in a supervised environment. All candidates within the United States must pass the Occupational Therapist Registered exam (www.nbcot.org). Some states may have additional requirements for licensure.
An occupational therapist helps people with disabilities perform everyday tasks to help them integrate into society. The job of a professional therapist is to help stroke victims, or arthritis patients put on a Silverts T-shirt.

Speech Therapist

Speech therapists, examine, diagnose, medicate, and help prevent patient misunderstanding, due to miscommunication in children and adults. Speech therapists, sometimes also known as speech-language pathologists, assess variation in speech, language, including difficulty swallowing. They help people with stammers and stutters to communicate effectively.
To become a speech therapist, individuals need to have at least a master’s degree. All states regulate the profession of speech therapy. A majority of the states require speech therapists to be licensed, and some require registration.

Registered Nurse

A registered nurse is the epitome of Florence Nightingale, the highly-educated daughter of affluent British parents. Nightingale had to defy social customs and norms when she decided to become a nurse. Nurses who cared for strangers in hospitals or homes were not thought to be pursuing a respectable career.
To become a nurse, individuals must pass an accredited nursing program with a diploma, associate, or bachelor’s level qualification. To achieve licensure, a nurse must graduate from the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Some states have other mandatory requirements as well, such as passing a criminal background check.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) administers essential nursing treatment. The licensed practical nurse will reinforce the instructions given by a registered nurse. Doctors and registered nurses will supervise the duties performed by a licensed practical nurse.
Students must complete a state-approved training program in practical nursing. Some states require candidates to have the proper qualifications and sufficient working experience, to qualify for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). A majority of licensed practical nurses work in nursing and residential care facilities.

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

A certified nurse assistant (CNA) helps maintain patients in hygienic conditions by assisting them in using the toilet and clothing themselves. Certified nursing assistants help position patients from one bed to another. They regularly serve meals, medication and routinely take patient’s vital signs. If a patient wants to voice a concern, they can call on the certified nursing assistant.
The certified nursing assistant exam contains mostly multiple-choice questions. But to qualify for the exam candidates need to have at least a high school in biology or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who have passed the CNA examination are on a state registry. Being on the state registry allows them to work for a nursing home, which could be one of the reasons to start blogging, about your new qualification.

Home Health Aides (HHA)

Some patients have limited mobility due to permanent disabilities or old age. These patients need assistance in their day-to-day functioning. Home health aides help bathe, dress, walk, exercise, and feed patients, with guidance from nurses and other medical staff. Occasionally they might have to do some light housekeeping, laundry, or ironing.

Home health aides can typically start working after earning their high school diploma. Some states demand employers to deliver on-the-job training to home health aides before they start working. Home health aides might have to comply with their client’s or employer’s demands for qualification.