Caregiver

A caregiver is a worker qualified to provide personal care independently or with minimal supervision to children, elderly or disabled persons at either client's home or at an institution.

A caregiver is also a person responsible for the psychological & physical needs of an infant, child or adult.

Tasks

• Bathe, dress infants and toddlers and put them to sleep and maintain children's paraphernalia;
• Foster the social, intellectual, physical and emotional development of children;
• Provide assistance in the elderly care needs and that of people with disabilities;
• Make up beds, perform laundry, cook meals and dishes according to recipes;
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment;
• Respond to emergencies and accidents.

Basic Educational and Training Requirements

• At least a second year college education or two-year diploma course;
• Completion of a training course on care giving.

Skills and Competencies

A Caregiver is expected to be equipped with the following knowledge and skills:

• Use of materials specification and its uses (bed pans and catheter, gauze pads, linens, bed sheets, towels, etc.);
• Use of tools/equipment and instrument (wheelchair and other ambulatory equipment.);
• Measurement and mathematics;
• Hygiene, proper health care and infant care;
• Work ethics;
• Time and management;
• First aid treatment;
• Dietary requirements;
• Values and interpersonal skills, self-esteem and process ageing.

Physical Attributes/Characteristics

• Physically and Mentally healthy;
• Good Moral character

Salary/Compensation

P10,000 -12,000 per month - local
$3,083 (P 157,233) to $4,333 (P 220,983) a month - overseas (USA & Canada)

Prospects for Career Advancement

To enter other health occupations is the next career move for a Caregiver. Caregivers generally need additional formal training and education on related health and medical sciences.

Experience as a Caregiver can also help individuals decide whether to pursue a career in other health-care fields.

Physical Attributes/Characteristics

• Physically and Mentally healthy;
• Good Moral character

Salary/Compensation

P10,000 -12,000 per month - local $3,083 (P 157,233) to $4,333 (P 220,983) a month - overseas (USA & Canada)

Prospects for Career Advancement

To enter other health occupations is the next career move for a Caregiver. Caregivers generally need additional formal training and education on related health and medical sciences.

Experience as a Caregiver can also help individuals decide whether to pursue a career in other health-care fields.

Employment Opportunities

Most Caregivers work abroad, in countries like Taiwan, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Emerging host destinations which will accommodate Filipino Caregivers are the following: Albania, Australia, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, the Cayman Island, Cyprus, Hongkong, India, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Mexico, Saipan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tinian, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Training Course *

Duration - 6 months Cost - Ranges from P20,000 to P25,000

For those who have completed and passed the care giving course, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is providing assessment of caregivers competencies.

* Based on 2007 rates

Source: Bureau of Local Employment, Manila, Philippines.