Personal Care Worker

An Aged Care Support Worker, also known as an Aged Care Assistant or Aged Care Nurse, is responsible for the health and wellbeing of the elderly population and those with disabilities, who are no longer capable of caring for themselves.  The role of Disability Support Worker is of a similar vein, but is focussed on those with disabilities and special needs, rather than the elderly.

For the most part, Aged Care Nurses work in residential establishments, aged care homes, clinics, hospitals and private residences.  It is a demanding but challenging job, that involves a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities providing support with eating, showering, dressing, tidying and cleaning.  With the growing population, the demand for aged care nurses is on the rise, making it a secure career choice for the aspiring nurse.

Aged Care Nurses typically assist with (depending on level of qualification and location of the patient and their personal needs): 

• Showering, dressing, toileting and personal hygiene
• Shopping, meal preparation and meal consumption
• Cleaning, laundry, change bedding
• Provides emotional support and friendship
• Assist with social outings, shopping and appointments
• Transfer between rooms
• Infection control and prevention
• Palliative care, restorative care and pain management
• Assists in admission and help ease the transition for patients and their families
• Liaise with patients, family, medical team, and other residences in the facility
• Administration of medication
• Documentation of vital signs, medication intake, patient assessment
• Family and patient education

To work in the aged care industry you can start out in an Assistant in Nursing role. To work in this capacity you need to complete a qualification such as a Certificate III in Health Services or Certificate III in Aged Care.  This qualification includes a mandatory 120 hours of work placement training.   You can then progress from this role, to Endorsed Nurse, Endorsed Enrolled Nurse and then Registered Nurse.

Prior to becoming an 'Aged Care Registered Nurse' you will need to have all the practical experience and qualifications of a Registered Nurse (RN) with at least three years practical full time experience. Registered Nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other skilled professionals including doctors, surgeons, specialists, therapists, specialty nurses, social workers and many others to provide ongoing patient care to people who are sick, disabled, injured or recovering from surgery.  Registered nurses deliver primary health care predominantly in hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, aged care facilities, Government or military institutions, community or school settings, in the home or in outpatient facilities.  

Read about all other Specialty Nursing Roles here