If you’re thinking about being a caregiver in Canada, then you are on the right path. Caregivers are needed in Canada because more people are getting older, and there is a high demand for skilled workers in healthcare. In this article, we will be showing you all you need to know about applying for a caregiver job in Canada among other relevant information.
Who is a Caregiver?
A caregiver, referred to as a carer, home health aide, or personal care assistant, is a trained professional tasked with providing daily personal care and aid with routine tasks, chores, and errands. Caregivers usually serve individuals who are elderly, unwell, injured, or dealing with physiological or psychological challenges. These professionals may work in their client’s residence or at a care facility, helping with tasks such as cleaning, personal hygiene, grooming, and meal assistance. They also offer companionship to prevent feelings of loneliness. The role of a caregiver plays a vital role in enabling individuals to lead a comfortable and functional life. According to Indeed Salaries, the average caregiver salary is $19.26 per hour, based on 3.3k reported salaries as of June 13, 2023.
Duties and Responsibilities of Caregivers in Canada
1. Meal Preparation
As a caregiver, you might need to help with cooking, feeding, and grocery shopping for your client. Your job includes making meals, serving them, helping with eating if needed, doing the dishes, and keeping the kitchen clean. You may also have to keep track of what your client eats and report it as part of their care plan.
2. House Keeping
As a caregiver, you may not have to do deep cleaning, but you could assist with smaller chores that your client finds difficult. This might include washing dishes, taking out the trash, and cleaning furniture and appliances in the house.
3. Providing Companionship
In addition to helping with your client’s specific needs, being a friendly companion is just as important. You might be the only person they connect with, so letting them know you’re there for them is crucial. Being a dependable support system in their mental, physical, and social wellbeing is part of this role.
4. Being Supportive
Your client might need assistance with washing, bathing, grooming, and dressing. To make these tasks more comfortable, it’s helpful to plan ahead. Engaging in a casual chat about everyday topics can ease any tension before assisting with washing or bathing. Small acts like preparing a warm towel at the end of a bath can be thoughtful touches to help reduce anxiety.
5. Medical Assistance
Your client might need your help in talking to others on their care team. This could involve reaching out to their doctor to share updates on their condition or coordinating visits with a nurse. You might also be responsible for getting their medicine from the pharmacy, keeping track of how much is left at home, and determining if they need more or special supplies. Another task may be scheduling medical appointments on their behalf.
Immigration Programs for Caregivers in Canada
Canada now has two pilot programs for caregivers that are accepting applications. These programs, the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots, make it easier for foreign caregivers to work in Canada without leaving their close family members behind. These new programs offer a more straightforward path to Canadian permanent residence. These programs started in 2019, replacing the old Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots, which were criticized for keeping some workers in tough situations and away from their families abroad. The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot bring advantages for caregivers, including:
1. Occupation-Specific Work Permits: This allows caregivers to change employers quickly when needed, as the work permits are tied to their occupation, not a specific employer.
2. Open Work Permits and/or Study Permits for Family: Immediate family members of caregivers can get open work permits and/or study permits, making it easier for families to be together in Canada.
3. Clear Transition to Permanent Status: This ensures a smooth transition from temporary to permanent residency. Once caregivers meet the work experience requirement, they can become permanent residents quickly.
These programs will now be discussed in more detail.
1. Home Child Care Provider Pilot
Home Child Care Providers assist busy parents by looking after children and may also need to help with household tasks. It is a 5-year program tailored for foreign nationals with work experience in NOC 4411. Through this pilot, individuals can come to Canada on temporary work permits, with the opportunity to apply for permanent residence once they get sufficient work experience. This opportunity is available for those interested in roles like babysitter, au pair, live-in child caregiver, private home child caregiver, nanny, parent’s helper, foster parent, or child caregiver in public settings like a gym or shopping center.
2. Home Support Worker Pilot
Home Support Workers take care of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those in rehabilitation, providing personal care and companionship. Their responsibilities include feeding, bathing, dressing, administering medications, and preparing meals. While they can also care for children, it is not their primary duty. Under the Home Support Worker Pilot, applicants can apply to various job positions such as Attendant for persons with disabilities – home care, Family caregiver, Home support worker, Housekeeper, Live-in caregiver – seniors, Personal aide – home support, Personal care attendant – home care, Respite worker – home support, Doula, and Home visitor – infant care.
Eligibility Criteria for Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
To apply for this program, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Experience
When applying for this program, you’ll likely be caring for children or individuals with specific needs. Skills and experiences required may include:
– First aid and CPR skills
– Administering medication
– Cooking and housekeeping abilities
– Managing and caring for children
– Safe mobility assistance
– Bathing children, elderly, or disabled individuals
– Driving for transportation needs
– Conducting routine health checks
– Feeding and nutrition management
Noteworthy, to be eligible for the Home Child Care Provider pilot program, you must provide care for children either in your own home or your employer’s private home. However, the care setting should not be an institutional place like a daycare. Living in your employer’s home is not a requirement for eligibility, and experience as a foster parent is not considered for this program. It’s important to show formal training alongside your experience in these areas. Also for home support worker pilot, former experience of housekeeping does not make guarantee you will be selected under this program.
2. Language Proficiency
You must show that you have attained a language proficiency of level 5 in either English or French, covering the four language skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Along with your application, you must submit the results of an English or French language test from a designated testing organization to show that you meet the required language proficiencies. The acceptable language tests include CELPIP, IELTS (General), TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. Taking a test in a second language is optional but could enhance your application. Language test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of receipt and will be used as evidence of your language proficiency. Other written evidence will not be considered.
3. Education Requirements
You must meet the minimum education requirements, which include having either a Canadian one-year post-secondary (or higher) educational credential or a foreign educational credential equivalent to a completed one-year Canadian post-secondary (or higher) educational credential. If your education is from outside Canada, you must use one of these organizations to evaluate it:
– Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
– International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
– World Education Services
– International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
– International Credential Evaluation Service
Noteworthy, for:
Home Childcare Provider Pilot: If you have completed foreign post-secondary education in childcare (outside Canada), you must submit an education assessment report to determine if you meet the education eligibility criteria. This assessment will confirm whether you have fulfilled the requirement of completing one year of post-secondary education.
Home Support Worker Pilot: Usually, relevant post-secondary education related to home care training is necessary for this pilot program
4. Admissibility to Canada
Being admissible to Canada is important for the caregiver pilot program. If you’re deemed inadmissible, you can’t immigrate or work in Canada.
5. Valid Job Offer
A valid job offer must come from a single Canadian employer, be for a position outside the province of Quebec, be for full-time employment (at least 30 hours of paid work per week), be non-seasonal, and fall under the categories of a home child-care provider or home support worker occupation. It must also be genuine, likely to be valid when the applicant is issued the initial occupation-specific open work permit, and a role the applicant is capable of performing. The employer must not also be an embassy, consulate, or high commission.
Proof that a job offer is valid and genuine may include, but is not limited to, showing a genuine need for a caregiver (such as proof of a school-age child or a person with medical needs in the home), ensuring that the wage specified is equal or higher than the prevailing wage in the province where the work will be carried out, confirming the employer’s financial ability to pay the specified wages, and, in the case of a live-in arrangement, providing reasonable accommodations like a private room. Also, the employer must also complete the form IMM 5983 properly and truthfully.
Noteworthy, for:
Home Childcare Provider Pilot: Children under 18 years old should be cared for, either at your residence or your employer’s.
Home Support Worker Pilot: Caregivers should be able to fulfill their responsibilities either at their own residence or at the employer’s location, depending on the situation.
6. Intention to Live Outside Quebec
You must intend to live anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
How to Apply for Caregiver Jobs in Canada
1. Prepare your Documents
You need to gather important papers like your resume, cover letter, and any certificates or references. You should ensure they are complete, error-free, and well-prepared. If your documents are not complete, it can affect the success of your application. Some provinces may require to have a CPR certification especially for the Home Support Worker program before you can apply for any caregiver job. To be on a safe side, you should get this in place.
2. Explore Caregiver Jobs
To find caregiver jobs, start by checking reliable job websites and caregiver agencies in Canada. Make sure to focus on jobs that match your caregiving skills. Be cautious about scams by verifying the legitimacy of the websites. Look into the values and work environment of companies by visiting their websites. Pay attention to job descriptions to ensure they match your qualifications. Reach out to caregiver agencies and connect with people in the field. Consider the location of the jobs and see if it fits your preferences. Here are some helpful job portals for caregiver positions in Canada:
1. Indeed: You can find 9,834 caregiver jobs on Indeed. Use keywords like “caregiver visa sponsorship” for relevant results.
2. LinkedIn: You can connect with potential employers and stay updated on caregiver job postings through LinkedIn.
3. Job Bank: You can explore caregiver job opportunities across Canada on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank website.
4. Direct Company Websites: You can check caregiver company websites for job openings as they often post vacancies directly.
3. Work on your Resume and Cover Letter
You should customize your resume and cover letter to emphasize on your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications for the caregiver job in Canada. Note that this should be in the Canadian style to be considered at all. Make sure to specifically address the requirements mentioned in the job postings. This approach increases your chances of standing out to potential employers.
4. Submit your Application
You need to follow the instructions given by the employer or job portal when submitting your application. This might involve uploading your documents, filling out an online form, or sending an email with your application attachments. Ensure you comply with their specified process to make a positive impression.
5. Do a Follow Up
Once you’ve submitted your application, you should consider following up with the employer to express your interest in the position. You can do this through a polite email or a phone call, showing your enthusiasm and commitment to the opportunity.
Conclusion
If you have a passion for taking care of people and the home while making money on the side, then you can consider being a caregiver in Canada. This article has just shown you all you need to know about applying for a caregiver job in Canada. By following our guidelines, you can be guaranteed of landing the caregiver job of your dreams.
