One Response to “Tips for job interview for becoming a carer for elderly people?”

1. science chick says:

   26 July 2009 at 7:06 am

   These are low level positions, so just dress professionally (no jeans, not too much skin, no cleavage) and try and stay calm. I work as a CNA and my interview was pretty much just the lady reading my resume and then telling me about the position, giving a tour, and offering me the position. You will want to tell them about any other medical experience you may have, if there is any. This is where a lot of people start though, so it may not hurt you unless there is a lot of competition. These are high turnover jobs, so they will probably hire you as long and you meet the requirements for the position and don’t make a bad impression.

   *ADD*: Don’t talk to them about how hard the job is unless they ask if you think you can handle it. You may not even be doing the work Wifey talked about if it the position is just "carer". They respect a realistic person, but going out of your way to tell them that the job is dirty and hard and doesn’t pay enough will just make you look sill. Its OK to say you love elderly people and want to he lp them, and you don’t want to act like you will be playing cards with them all day, but as far as the interview is concerned you want to send the message that you are a perfect fit for this job. Also, they will know your experience and if you have’t done this job you will kind of look silly trying to act like you know everything about it. Just let them know you care about the residents and you will work hard at whatever is required.

   If you do not know what kind of facility this is, look it up or ASK! Do not pull random terminolgy out of the air, if you refer to it as the wrong thing the interviewer will not be impressed. Some won’t care, but some will be more particular. It shouldn’t be too hard to find out what kind of service they provide beforehand. If for some reason you can’t, ask them about what type of facilty it is and what the scope of the job would be after they question you.

   Exactly what they ask you depends on what kind of home this is, elderly peoples home is not descriptive.

   Skilled care facilities and assisted living facilities are NOT the same. There are several types of facilities that you could be talking about, and none of them would refer to people as patients.

   A traditional "nursing home" is usually called a long term care facility. They provide 24 hour care, though they may not provide advanced care things. The "carers" here are all certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in the USA, it is required by law. The aides here mostly take care of washing, toileting, and feeding people. They may hire some non-certified aides to help with things like bed making and feeding, but I would not describe this as "carer". Skilled care facilities are a step up from long term care facilities, they provide 24 hour care and they provide more advanced care than LTC facilities. They may also do rehabilitation for people not sick enough for the hospital, but too sick to go home. They may also need to have CNAs, they would certainly prefer it but I am not sure if they are covered under OBRA (the law that established the training for CNAs).

   From the wording of the position, it sounds like you would be working at an assisted living facility. These are a step below long term care facilities. They provide care, but it is usually not 24 hours. Aides usually do not have to be certified since the care is more through supervision instead of having dependent residents. There are generally limits to how much care a person needs to be able to stay in them. You may assist with showers, but most people can take care of themselves for the most part. In a dementia unit they may do more care, but it still would be less lifting than in a LTC facility. You may be expected to help serve dinner, and many places will teach you how to supervise people’s medications. You may do some housekeeping things, and you may help people with laundry. It is a lot lighter than nursing homes, but you it is still more than just playing with old people.

   A retirement home is just a place where elderly people live. They may have food services and other things like housekeeping, but no help with personal care. They facility would not provide the aides; if the resident was not independent they would have to hire their own home aide.

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