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How can I get a job as a PCA?

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Author How can I get a job as a PCA?

chemistry

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  • Joined: May 2013
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  • Posts: 9

Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:07 pm Last edited Jul 29, 2013, 03:49 pm Update #2

Hi guys, I have done my placement in a nursing home in Melbourne and after I have got my certificateIII in Aged care  ,I am very keen to get a gob as a PCA but I don't have any experience in this field except my placement , it was about 150 hours and I worked in high care and dementia sections. The problem is every nursing homes where I have drop off my resume told to me we need experience. Could you please tell me how I can get the first job? I will be appreciate if you give me some advice. Thanks a lot

modified: Tuesday 30 July 2013 8:52:39 am - chemistry

KylieO

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  • Joined: May 2013
  • Location: Dingley Village
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Jul 31, 2013, 01:28 pm

Hi there.  I take it that you didn't get an offer from your placement facility?  Allot of places do offer students they like during placement a spot.  I would recommend that you keep going - there are quite a few places advertising on seek and if you have done your placement you DO have experience.  Always apply for PCA jobs, even if they say "min 12 months" as the reality is that is what they want, but getting those people is quite different.  Apply at the bigger units, and also you can volunteer to show them your skills.  Offer them 5 shifts (if you are OK to do that) and say, if I do well at these, do you have a job afterwards?

Keep trying and good luck!

chemistry

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Jul 31, 2013, 02:42 pm Last edited Jul 31, 2013, 02:42 pm update #3

Hi Kylieo, thank you so much for your advice, I started to apply online for any agencies and I dropped off my resume in nursing home, for example I went to Altona today and I left my resume in two nursing home but both of them told me we don't need new staff! Last week I went to more than 5 nursing home in Werribee and Hoppers Crossing and I got the same answer.I can understand what you told about my placement but the problem is in my placement in any section 2 staff and 8 students worked together!!Do you get what I am saying? When a nursing home has got more than 15 or 20 students everyday why it wants to get new staff!!Then there is a small chance to get a job in my placement. Unfortunately every agencies which I called them told me we need  real paid experience!Anyway I am looking for job and I wanna apply job directly  in other suburbs, anyway thank you so much for your advice and I am going to use them. Have a lovely day and thanks again.

Ps: I will be appreciated if anybody gives me  some more advice and introduce some agencies.

modified: Wednesday 31 July 2013 6:43:29 pm - chemistry

harley girl

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Nov 18, 2013, 04:30 pm

Hi, I am curious to know if you have found work as a PCA yet, I am about to finish my course and by the sound of it I am in the same area as you.

chemistry

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Jan 30, 2014, 12:13 am

Hi, I got a job casually after applying in more than 40 nursing homes! My job is very far from of my place and I have to walk more than 45 mins!I can not recommend to anybody to take aged care course bucause there are a lot of people who have received a certificate and are looking for a job now , unfortunately  this a a business,  taking students by many different centres and making a lot of unemployment graduates!!! 

abc

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  • Joined: Feb 2014
  • Location: NSW
  • Posts: 2

Feb 18, 2014, 04:27 am Last edited Feb 18, 2014, 04:27 am update #1

Thnk u chemistry for your advice.

Im in the same situation.

course done

fee paid

experience just 100hrs

applied for jobs- more than 20+

everyone says need 1-2yrs experience.

for personal carer need driving licence ( which i dnt )

Market is full of people with cert 3 in Age or child care, but no jobs. if u think its good pay, think again.

cert 3 in Age care or child care is the easy course to do. 1000s enrol every month which creates 1000s of umployment with cert.

modified: Tuesday 18 February 2014 4:29:25 am - abc

chemistry

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Feb 18, 2014, 05:39 pm

Dear abc,

you are right and this is only a business , I mean many schools take students in these fields but there are not enough positions as a PCA , if I were you I would try more aged care centres as much as I can, please pay attention if you find somebody who connect you to a nursing home you do not need any experiences or ...Only try anywhere as you can , good luck.

New.Beginning

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  • Joined: Sep 2012
  • Location: Melbourne
  • Posts: 11

Apr 16, 2014, 02:50 pm

Hi KylieO,

i live in Melbourne's west also and have completed Cert III in Aged Care. If you are happy to work in disability and willing to travel to work in HACC I suggest you look at the DASSI website as they are always hiring, try there but don't stress to them you have no experience, be positive and show your interested, as long as you show your switched on you should be fine. Also, try www.findacarer.com.au for work it won't be stable or much but at least you can say you have experience. Good luck!!!

dinabale

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Apr 25, 2014, 07:31 am

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who got hired after finishing their placement. Now my employer is sponsoring us to do Cert 4 in Aged Care main reason is so that we can gave medication.

chemistry

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  • Joined: May 2013
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May 03, 2014, 09:11 pm

Congratulations to you and enjoy your course, as far I am concerned only a nurse (EN or RN) can give medicine to clients of course a PCA ,who has passed the medication certificate, can give medicine only to low-care clients.

Luke

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  • Joined: Aug 2014
  • Location: Labrador
  • Posts: 1

Aug 29, 2014, 02:15 pm

Hi I have completed my PCA and are having the same problem,they want experienced people. I will ring my placement manager at try again there! I have also volunteered for recreation at a nursing home. I have a new baby and family to support. Any help would be appreciated.

evelynwresker

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  • Joined: Feb 2023
  • Location: 1801 Main St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
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Feb 06, 2023, 11:52 pm Last edited Feb 06, 2023, 11:52 pm update #1

Hi there, congratulations on completing your certificate III in Aged Care! While finding your first job as a PCA can be challenging, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of landing one. One option could be to consider volunteering or taking on unpaid work to gain more experience in the field. This can show potential employers that you are committed to pursuing a career as a PCA and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills and gain hands-on experience. Another option could be to reach out to the  for advice and guidance. They may have connections in the healthcare industry and be able to offer you insights into the job market or recommend job openings to you. Networking and building relationships with other professionals in your field can also be valuable in finding job opportunities. Keep applying and don't give up! The right opportunity will come along eventually.

modified: Friday 17 March 2023 9:28:57 pm - evelynwresker

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