Pros and Cons of Being a Patient Care Assistant
Patient care assistants, or nursing assistants as they are sometimes called, tend to patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. They help patients perform activities of daily living and sometimes collect specimens and vital signs. Exploring the pros and cons of becoming a patient care assistant may help you determine if this is the right career path for you.
| Pros of Being a Patient Care Assistant |
|---|
| Can work in various settings* |
| Get to help others and develop relationships with patients |
| Only requires 1-2 years of educational training* |
| Faster than average job growth (18% projected growth from 2014-2024)* |
| Cons of Being a Patient Care Assistant |
|---|
| Lower than average salary (mean annual salary of $26,250 in 2014)* |
| May be physically demanding |
| More on-the-job injuries than other occupations* |
| May be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Information
Duties and Responsibilities of a Patient Care Assistant
A patient care assistant is charged with taking vital signs and helping patients groom, bathe and perform daily activities. They also tend to patients in hospitals and nursing homes by preparing meals, assisting with mobility, and acting as a medical liaison. Patient care assistants are usually trained in phlebotomy, EKG and basic physical therapy.
Job Prospects and Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) predicts that employment for patient care assistants will grow much faster than average, 18%, for other occupations from 2014-2024. As nurses and other healthcare professionals turn many routine tasks over to patient care assistants, there will be a great demand for certified professionals in this area of medical services. In May 2014, the BLS reported that nursing assistants earned an average annual salary of $26,250; however, assistants who worked in the federal executive branch earned the most at $36,380, per the BLS. In order to enjoy the best job prospects, applicants for patient care assistant positions should have their completed certification prior to seeking open positions.
What Are the Requirements?
Patient care assistants must complete a program in a high school, local community or technical college. Programs last between one and two years, depending on the level of certification desired. Patient care assistants generally complete some on-the-job training to practice their skills. Some patient care assistants perform only minimal clinical tasks, while others conduct EKG's, draw blood and dress wounds. Patient care assistants, or nursing assistants, must pass a state competency exam and receive some level of certification that demonstrates their clinical skills.
Job Postings from Real Employers
Job requirements may include similar specifications to the following, which are taken from Monster.com:
- A healthcare company in Texas was looking for applicants who have successfully completed a Nursing Assistant training program or who have provided documented enrollment in a nursing program, including completion of a nursing fundamentals course. The employer stated that applicants may substitute certification as an EMT.
- A Florida medical center sought an individual who had completed a nursing assistant program through a Florida vocational school. Heart saver certification was desirable.
How to Stand Out
Certification
There are several options for improving your chances of acquiring a position as a patient care assistant. Check to see if patient care or nursing assistants are allowed to dispense medication in your state. If dispensing medication is permitted in your state, you can earn extra credentials and become a Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) to help improve your resume.
If you'd like to specialize in working with a particular population, you can become certified in this specialty area. For example, if you'd like to work with older adults, you can become certified in geriatrics.
Alternative Career Paths
Occupational Therapy Assistants
If you enjoy helping people perform activities of daily living, but would like to earn a higher salary, you may consider becoming an occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy assistants work under occupational therapists and help patients recover and improve skills needed for daily living by conducting therapy activities. Becoming an occupational therapy assistant only requires an associate's degree from an accredited program at a community college or technical school. In 2014, the BLS reported an average annual salary of $57,260 for occupational therapy assistants.
Registered Nurse
If you'd like to be involved in the clinical care of patients, you may want to explore becoming a registered nurse (RN). RNs perform medical tests, consult with medical professionals, administer medication and develop treatment plans for patients. Becoming a nurse could require 2-4 years of education, depending if you'd like to obtain an associate's or a bachelor's degree in nursing. Coursework consists of science courses like anatomy, biology and chemistry. To practice as a registered nurse, you must pass a state exam and become licensed. The BLS reported an average annual salary of $69,790 for RNs in 2014.
