How To Become An Aged Care Worker

Are you interested in working with elderly people? Do you genuinely enjoy helping people? A career in aged care might be perfect for you.

As of July 2023, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care began funding the the Fair Work Commission’s decision to award a 15 percent increase to the wages of:

• Registered Nurses
• Enrolled Nurses
• Assistants in Nursing
• Personal Care and Home Care Workers

In response, The Aged Care Guide released information summarised below, with additional information from Luxe Care, detailing the roles, responsibilities and opportunities that come with aged care work.

What is “entry level”?

Entry-level means you are starting work in the aged care industry for the first time.

• Anyone over 18 can apply to become an aged care worker.
• There are currently no minimum standard qualifications for entry-level care workers.
• Entry level workers require screening checks to ensure they can be trusted to work safely and responsibly with elderly people.
• Both Australian citizens and international applicants are welcomed.

How to complete a screening check:

• You will need to obtain an Australian police check. Online providers you can use include CrimCheck, Fit2Work and Australia Post.?Obtaining a check will cost you approximately $50 and will take a few days to return. Please notify your employer as soon as your police check is returned to you.

• Prepare two work related referees who are happy to answer questions about working with you. The best referee is someone you have worked with for more than a month. A boss or supervisor is ideal but a colleague you have worked extensively with is acceptable too. Do not ask a friend, neighbour or spouse you have not worked with. Ask your referees for their current phone number or email address and inform them that they may be contacted soon.
• Ensure you show up on time or at least 5 minutes early to any scheduled job interviews. Note down your interviewer's name and phone number, and call them as soon as you become stuck in traffic, become lost or if you can no longer attend. Do not call when the interview is about to begin and do not show up more than five minutes late. Arrange transport and parking the day before your interview.

Would I make a good aged care worker?

Helping elderly people can be challenging but also extremely rewarding. Please consider the following before entering the aged care industry:

• Do you genuinely want to help other people?
• Would other people describe you as caring, patient and calm?
• Do you remain calm if someone else becomes distressed or confused?
• Do you enjoy long conversations?
• Are you well organised?
• Are you always early or on time?
• Do you have a valid driver’s license?
• Do you have a working car?
• Are you willing to occasionally travel up to an hour from your house if required? (Note: public transport is generally not an option)
• Are you willing to work long hours and/or early mornings?
• Are you willing to work 24 hour or sleepover shifts?
• Are you comfortable with casual shift work?
• Are you reasonably fit and have full body movement/ability?
• Are you comfortable with potentially assisting clients in the bathroom (shower/toilet)? (Note: This may not always be a requirement, depending on the role you apply for)
• As per the Aged Care Act of 1997, you are of sound mind, in control of your actions and have not declared bankruptcy.

Important Points

• Always answer calls from your care employer to assist with sudden shift changes or arrangements.
• Ensure you can reasonably take on shifts before applying for an aged care role.
• Be aware that older age and generational differences can sometimes lead to awkward comments or conversations. Please report anything inappropriate to your care manager as soon as the shift ends (or straight away if you feel physically uncomfortable).
• Avoid using modern slang, abbreviations (“arvo” instead of “afternoon”) or talking too quickly in conversation to ensure clients can understand. If your client does not understand, speak louder and slower. Many elderly people have hearing issues or wear hearing aids.
• Ensure you are regularly checking and responding to text messaging, emails, and any other work based communications.

Unacceptable Behaviour for Aged Care Work

• If you are running late or have become sick, you MUST call your care manager as soon as possible. Leaving an elderly client with no carer and no explanation causes distress and confusion. Do not call the client, only your care manager or rostering team members. Do not text or leave voicemails, you must speak to a care manager or the rostering team, to allow them enough time to find a replacement.
• You must not leave a client alone, unless specified by family/primary caregivers/your care manager.
• NEVER leave a client’s house at random. Only leave at the end of your shift or after you have spoken to a care manager (if, for example, you become sick or injured during the shift).
• Do not discuss the company you work for/your co-workers with clients or their families. If you need help or advice, contact your care manager. Most workplaces will have an anonymous EAP service available, too.
• If a client says or does something inappropriate, call your care manager and they will help you.
• You must attempt to reject money or gifts from clients. If they insist, tell them you will check with your care manager first to make sure it’s okay.
• You must do your best to not become angry or irritated with a client. Do your best to communicate with them and, if the situation is not improving, step away to another room (if safe to do so) and call your care manager for advice. If your care manager is unavailable, you can speak to another one. If you are unsure about anything, always call a care manager first.
• Do not switch your phone off or to silent/do not disturb mode during the hours you agree to be contactable. Please consider when you are most able to answer your phone.

Conversation prompts with clients

Family:

Mrs Blank always asks about carer’s families and wants to know everything about them. Keeping your side of the conversation at “surface level” is important. Surface level means only sharing the basics (for example, first name only, ages, jobs) and then directing the conversation back toward the client’s life and family. Use the opportunity to learn about them by saying “Tell me more about your family/children” or asking, “What about yours?” when you finish answering their question.

Example:

“I have three teenage children - 2 boys and 1 girl - they are wonderful. A bit of a handful from time to time, as you would expect. Do you have any children, Mrs Blank? What do they do for study/work? Do they visit you often? Do they live close by? Do you have any grandchildren?”

Hobbies/Interests:

Everyone enjoys talking about themselves, so feel free to ask your clients what they enjoy doing, if they have any talents or interesting skills, what music or movies they enjoy, if there is something they would like to do or try, if they used to have a hobby or interest that they can show you their work from (for example, paintings or drawings). This could even open up discussions for visiting related places like art galleries, plays, shows, films or restaurants. If your client is open to visiting a place, speak to your care manager and the client’s family about arranging a potential plan.

Example:

Mr Blank is quiet and reserved around new people but enjoys reflecting on his younger years. He was a talented artist who produced many artworks. “Can you show me the artwork or any photos of it?”, “What was your inspiration?”, “How long did this artwork take to complete?”. Other similar questions: “Do you have any other talents or unique skills?” “Do you have other hobbies?” “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

History

Your client has led a full life, and many elderly people love reflecting and sharing their memories with others. Ask your client about their childhood or adulthood, their career, where they have travelled to, and any other memories. If they decline to answer something, do not keep asking them to tell you.

Example:

“Mrs Blank, what’s your favourite childhood memory?” “Is there something you’re most proud of?” “Have you travelled overseas?” “What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen or done?”

Beginner aged care qualifications

?An easy way to obtain aged care qualifications is through a study system called TAFE. TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education and is designed as an alternative to a university degree or for people looking to upskill.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing): Additional TAFE training must be completed to achieve a certificate. The certificate is obtainable through the fee-free TAFE initiative, where the government provides accessible tuition to eligible people new to the course. More information here: https://www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe

Keep in mind that your employer may be able to support your placement via paid work. Luxe Care can usually offer shifts that meet the placement requirements, if the TAFE course accepts placement in home care. This means you can work your normal shifts and be paid, while also ticking off your placement requirements.

Higher aged care qualifications

The Roman numeral system indicates level of training and education: a higher numeral, such as a Certificate IV (Four) indicates more specialised knowledge than a Certificate III (Three).

A Certificate IV gives you the skills and training to provide specialised support for older people in a range of settings and requires 120 hours of specified work. A Certificate IV will open up management and operations role opportunities.

A Bachelor of Nursing could allow you to enter the Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program. A Bachelor of Nursing is required to become a registered nurse, but a Diploma in Nursing, or an Advanced Diploma in Nursing, is needed to become an enrolled nurse.

The Home Care Workforce Support Program provides funded training and work placement opportunities for home care workers. More information here: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/home-care-workforce-support-program