Profile of a Canadian Continuing Care Assistant

Due to the growing elderly population and the shift toward providing more health care services to individuals in their homes or other type of residence, there has been an increased demand for Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) workers. In Canada, Continuing Care Assistants provide respectful and proper care to clients that need assistance and support in the home or long-term care facility. Individuals receiving long term care can be the elderly, disabled people, and people recovering from an injury or illness such as a heart attack or stoke, or a slip and fall. A Continuing Care Assistant will usually work under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

Continuing Care Assistant Job Duties

The duties of a Continuing Care Assistant can include helping individuals with daily routines such as feeding which can include cooking healthy meals, bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, and dressing. They can also help them take their medication at the right dose and time, washing their clothing and linens, cleaning their homes or room, and assisting them with shopping. A CCA will monitor the individual for any health problems and change in behavior and report any changes, provide informal counseling, assisting with personal hygiene, and helping them with mobility.

Continuing Care Assistant Qualifications and Requirements

To become a Continuing Care Assistant, one can enroll in a post secondary school or college that that offers health care assisting studies. The applicants must have graduated Grade 12, or hold a GED or mature student status. They will have to submit such information as a completed application form, application fee and official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary schools. The particular school will also have other specific criteria that must be submitted. Through the use of classroom, laboratory and supervised field placements in home care and licensed nursing homes, the program will educate and equip graduates with the necessary tools and skills to competently work as a Continuing Care Assistants. They will usually have to write a provincial certification exam upon completion of an approved education program to receive the CCA designation. The education program prepares CCAs to work in either facility-based or home care settings.

There are also a number of character traits CCAs must possess to have a successful career. Personal traits they should have include: communicate clearly, respectful, empathy, patience, compassionate, friendly, dedicated, caring, positive, confident, flexibility, assertiveness, and have a good sense of humor.

Continuing Care Assistant Work Environment

Continuing Care Assistants can be found working in a variety of work setting that include: hospitals, nursing homes or long-term care facilities, retirement or senior homes, community care centers, health care services providers, and social and family services.

Continuing Care Assistant Compensation

Continuing Care Assistants working in home and community care can make about $9.00 to $12.00 per hour. In facility care such as nursing homes, one can make about $21,000 to $26,000 per year. There are both part-time and full time Continuing Care Assistant positions available.

The health care system in Canada is always changing to keep up with changes in populations. In the course of remaking the health care system in Canada, Continuing Care Assistants is one area that is in great demand now and in the foreseeable future. Fortunately, there are many quality schools offering Continuing Care Assistant programs that will train students to meet the demand.

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