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How to become a home help

  • 16-03-2017 2:16pm
    #1
    Reamie321
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 ✭


    Hi, I'm a qualified SCW and I'm looking for a job with the elderly, currently working with people with I.D. Looking for information about working as a home help; rates of pay, pros/cons, any information really as I couldn't really find anything online. Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    andreoilin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 113 ✭✭andreoilin


    Hi Reamie321,

    I've been a healthcare assistant for 5 years, mainly working in nursing homes, but recently switched to home care when I moved to Dublin.

    New regulations brought in by the HSE mean that anyone working with the elderly must have at least 2 QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support modules. I did Care of the Older Person and Care Skills. If you do a google search you'll be able to find organisations in your area that run them. I believe by 2019 everyone will be required to have the full QQI.

    As for pay, my shifts are either an hour long (€11/hr and €12 on Sundays) or half an hour (€8/hr or €8.50 on Sundays). This will differ between companies but as far as I know those rates are on the higher end. Most of the companies I interviewed with were around the €10 mark.

    I much prefer home care to working in a nursing home. Nicer pace, more time for personal care and 1-on-1, and you're travelling around so it kinda breaks the day up a bit. The work itself is also a lot easier than in nursing homes as people who are being cared for at home haven't reached that level of high-dependency yet.

    Just speaking for the company I work with, I'm not sure about others, there can sometimes be gaps in between my shifts where it's not really enough time to pop home and come back but then you're just kinda waiting around in the car. I have loads of stuff to be reading through for college so it's not an issue so much of the time but it can be a bit boring. Most companies will give a petrol allowance if your clients are a bit away from where you live, but when you apply you can state which areas you'd like work in. I live in Phibsboro and all of my clients are in Drumcondra, Santry, Whitehall, Beaumont, and Glasnevin. So not very far between each!

    All in all, I love it. It's the nicer side of being a healthcare assistant, to be honest.

    If you have any other questions feel free to ask!


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