Personal Care Assistant ( PCA ) Resume Examples

As a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), you’ll spend a lot of time helping patients who are incapable of taking care of themselves. These are usually the elderly or people who have undergone surgery and need someone to assist them to perform tasks on a daily basis. These tasks normally include eating, bathing, going to the bathroom, and performing physical exercises to improve functionality. If you’re passionate about helping people get back to a normal life, this could be a career for you. But the first step is having an impressive PCA resume.

Before you apply, let’s make sure your resume is healthy and in good condition. Review the PCA resume sample below and read our tips on how to make your application stand out from the rest of the applicants.

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Expert Approved Resume Samples

Our samples are written by career experts with over 10 years of experience in resume writing.

Get inspired and explore what’s recommended to write in each section of the resume.

Personal Care Assistant ( PCA ) Resume Sample

Karen G. Gilmore

Address: 14578 Garrett Lane, Victorville, CA
Phone: (760 984 6785
Email: [email protected]
Current Job: Personal Care Assistant; Lauren Heights Community Center, Victorville, CA


Objective

Personal Care Assistant with more than 2 years of work experience and certified as a Caregiver is interested in joining your team of healthcare professionals at Collins Hospital. I have the technical qualifications and experience necessary to be effective for the job. Likewise, I have a valid driver’s license to allow me to render home-based service.


Skills

  • Experienced and knowledgeable in handling various types of medical equipment such as catheters, blood pressure readers, stethoscopes, thermometers, tongue depressors, retractable pens, and hygiene items.
  • Knowledgeable in managing electronic health records of patients.
  • Bilingual – Level 7 Spanish
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Physically fit.

Work Experience

Personal Care Assistant; 2019 to Present
Lauren Heights Community Center’ Victorville, CA

Responsibilities:

  • Review patient records and the schedules for meals and medicines for the day; oversee the health and well-being of 20 patients per day.
  • Read the notes left by the attending physician and the endorsement reports from the previous PCA.
  • Check if the patient is asleep and the level of responsiveness.
  • Run through a checklist of questions for the patient.
  • Perform the standard evaluation of a patient’s condition
  • Assist the patient in the bathroom – bathing and personal hygiene functions.
  • Prepare the meals as designed by the nutritionist.
  • Provide the patient assistance while eating.
  • Encourage dialogue with patients to alleviate emotional and mental distress.
  • Create a nurturing and stress-free living condition for patients.
  • Guide the patients through their exercise routines.
  • Prepare endorsement report for succeeding PCA.

Caregiver; 2018 to 2019
Mobile Healthcare Systems; Victorville, CA

Responsibilities:

  • Visit 5 patients in their homes everyday to provide the required assistance in feeding, personal hygiene, and rehabilitation.
  • Administer the prescribed medications to the patient.
  • Converse on a regular basis with patients to give them a sense of warmth and family.
  • Assist the patient in performing tasks.
  • Provide assistance in keeping the patient’s home clean and orderly.
  • Assist the Registered Nurse and Physical Therapist when they are performing their duties and responsibilities.

Education:

High School
Victor Valley High School
Victorville, CA
2010 to 2014

Private Personal Caregiver Resume Sample

Name: Miguel Cherry

Address: Lady Lake, FL 32159

Phone: (751) 822-1858

Email: [email protected]

Current job: Private Personal Caregiver at Kindred Hospital Bay Area-St. Petersburg

Objective

My name is Miguel Cherry, and I am seeking a rewarding position as a private personal caregiver. I am currently certified in CPR and first-aid, and have a passion for helping others.

I have plenty of experience working with the elderly, children, and pets. I am very strong and friendly, and know how to make people feel at ease. I am a fast learner and will be able to pick up the necessary skills quickly.

Work Experience

Private Personal Caregiver, 2018 – present
ACMH Hospital

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide care and assistance to patients according to their needs while they are home
  • Monitor the safety and well-being of the patient and property
  • Assist the patient with personal tasks such as dressing, grooming, bathing and meal preparation
  • Assist with medication administration and injections
  • Assist with providing transportation when needed
  • Coordination of medical appointments
  • Keep a clean household for the patient
  • Maintain a good relationship with the patient’s family

Private Personal Caregiver, 2014 – 2018

Memorial Health University Medical Center

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Clean and maintain residence to ensure a clean, healthy, and safe living environment
  • Inspect and maintain safety equipment and makes repairs when needed
  • Provide social and emotional support to the client
  • Assist with household chores (i.e., laundry, dishes, cooking, etc.)
  • Manage medication regimen for the client
  • Look for signs of illness or physical changes in the client and report to physician or other health care providers as necessary

Private Personal Caregiver, 2012 – 2014

Kindred Hospital Bay Area-St. Petersburg

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assist clients with personal care, including bathing, grooming, and toileting
  • Train clients to use mobility aids or equipment
  • Assist clients with eating and drinking
  • Execute activities of daily living to maintain client’s level of independence
  • Provide companionship and social interaction for clients
  • Monitor client’s moods, behaviours, and well-being to ensure safety
  • Provide emergency response care

Skills

  • Knowledgeable in taking care of children
  • Experience in giving medication
  • Experience in giving physical therapy
  • Experience in bathing, feeding, and dressing
  • Interest in customer service
  • Ability to work independently
  • Punctual
  • Dependable

Health Personal Caregiver Resume Sample

Name: Simeon Foster

Address: Winter Garden, FL 34787

Phone: (879) 414-7548

Email: [email protected]

Current job: Health Personal Caregiver at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County

Objective

My goal is to pursue a career in Health and Personal Caregiving. I am a self-starter and am interested in pursuing a position to be able to help others. I am a hard worker and am committed to upholding the company’s values and mission. I am a reliable, trustworthy, and dedicated individual. I am also someone who is motivated, dedicated, and committed to achieving the company’s mission.

Work Experience

Health Personal Caregiver, 2018 – present
Advanced Surgical Hospital

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide a wide range of services to clients, including personal care, meals, errands, and light housework.
  • Provide information and referrals to clients as needed.
  • Report any changes in client’s health status to the appropriate agency.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client information.
  • Perform clerical work
  • May require a 2-year associate degree in home health care, personal care or equivalent with 3+ years experience.

Health Personal Caregiver, 2014 – 2018

Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Clean beds and linens
  • Assist clients with eating and drinking
  • Assist clients with personal hygiene
  • Assist with dressing, bathing, and other daily living tasks
  • Help clients in and out of bed or chairs
  • Change and dispose of soiled linens and clothing
  • Maintain a safe environment

Health Personal Caregiver, 2012 – 2014

St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Prepare and serve nutritious meals for the client, family, and guests
  • Assist with personal hygiene and dressing
  • Drive or accompany clients to doctor appointments and other destinations
  • Keep track of medications and assist with administering them
  • Monitor clients’ conditions and report changes to caregivers and family members
  • Provide companionship and emotional support
  • Provide transportation for clients
  • Perform light housekeeping tasks, such as laundry, vacuuming,

Skills

  • CPR
  • First Aid
  • Bloodborne pathogens
  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Nutrition

Senior Personal Caregiver Resume Sample

Name: Taylor Ferrell

Address: Hanover Park, IL 60133

Phone: (886) 914-3043

Email: [email protected]

Current job: Senior Personal Caregiver at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital

Objective

I am committed to providing exceptional care for individuals and families. I am a reliable, dependable, and trustworthy individual. My values are faith, family, and friends. I respect the dignity of others and I am a compassionate caregiver who is committed to providing service with dignity and compassion.

I have been an active caregiver for the past 18 years. I have experience in dementia care, Alzheimer’s care, Parkinson’s care, and ALS care.

Work Experience

Senior Personal Caregiver, 2018 – present
Allegheny General Hospital

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, brushing teeth, changing clothes, eating, getting in and out of bed or chair, taking care of personal hygiene needs such as toileting, combing hair, and brushing teeth.
  • Assist with the administration of medications
  • Keep the client’s living area clean and in order.
  • Cook meals and light snacks from a menu approved by the client’s physician.
  • Aid with transportation

Senior Personal Caregiver, 2014 – 2018

Washington County Regional Medical Center

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Prepare meals and snacks for residents
  • Keep residents safe and comfortable
  • Provide companionship to residents
  • Help residents with personal care tasks
  • Help residents with daily living tasks such as showering, dressing, and grooming
  • Encourage socialization among residents
  • Attend to the physical needs of residents such as assistance with walking, transfers, and positioning
  • Assure all safety precautions are followed in the home or facility

Personal Caregiver, 2012 – 2014

Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Discuss and educate clients on the benefits of exercise and healthy nutritional habits
  • Maintain a clean, well-maintained, safe, and comfortable living space for the client
  • Follow doctor’s orders and keep a detailed medical history for the client
  • Monitor and document the client’s daily health and mental status
  • Prepare and serve nutritious meals to the client on a regular basis
  • Help the client with bathing

Skills

  • Ability to provide basic home care for those with chronic illness or disability
  • Knowledge of medications
  • Knowledge of first aid and CPR
  • Knowledge of safety procedures in the event of an emergency
  • Ability to follow instructions from supervisors

Elderly Personal Caregiver Resume Sample

Name: Marlon Anderson

Address: Valdosta, GA 31601

Phone: (709) 970-3568

Email: [email protected]

Current job: Elderly Personal Caregiver at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center

Objective

My goal is to help seniors who are in need of care and companionship by providing them with the skills and services they need to maintain their independence. I am an enthusiastic and compassionate person who wants to make a difference in someone’s life.

Work Experience

Elderly Personal Caregiver, 2018 – present
Allegheny Valley Hospital

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assist the elderly with errands, light housework, and other tasks
  • Provide personal care
  • Assist with dressing and grooming
  • Ensure the well-being of the elderly by monitoring their health and progress
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the home
  • Keep an updated record of the elder’s condition
  • Prepare meals for the elder
  • Supervise activities and social events
  • Take care of pets
  • Monitor medications and assist with their administration

Elderly Personal Caregiver, 2014 – 2018

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide companionship for the elderly
  • Assist with meal planning and preparation
  • Help with transportation
  • Perform light housekeeping duties
  • Provide general care, such as bathing and grooming
  • Conduct medication reminders and other medication tasks
  • Maintain records of the elderly’s medical history

Elderly Personal Caregiver, 2012 – 2014

Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide personal care to the elderly
  • Monitor physical and behavioral changes among the elderly
  • Assist elderly with dressing, bathing, grooming, and getting out of bed
  • Maintain hygiene and living conditions in the home
  • Clean and organize home to prevent falls
  • Provide transportation to and from appointments
  • Fold laundry and other light housekeeping duties

Skills

  • Ability to meet and care for the needs of the elderly
  • Knowledge of maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment
  • Ability to work with families in order to provide care for their loved ones
  • Knowledge of cooking, cleaning, and housekeeping

In-Home Personal Caregiver Resume Sample

Name: Roderick Fowler

Address: Altoona, PA 16601

Phone: (833) 497-7917

Email: [email protected]

Current job: In-Home Personal Caregiver at NCH Healthcare System – Downtown Naples

Objective

I am a caring, dependable person who will provide companionship and help out with household tasks. I am available to work in a 24-hour, live-in capacity. I can also provide transportation to and from medical appointments.

Work Experience

In-Home Personal Caregiver, 2018 – present
Allied Services Institute of Rehab Medicine

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide care for all aspects of the individual’s needs and personal care
  • Help with dressing, grooming, and personal hygiene
  • Assist with personal needs, such as feeding, bathing, and toileting
  • Assist with meal preparation and light housekeeping for the individual and their living space
  • Perform tasks such as laundry and dishes
  • Stay on top of medication and follow doctor’s orders

In-Home Personal Caregiver, 2014 – 2018

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and other activities of daily living
  • Prepare food, such as meals, snacks, and beverages
  • Assist with medication management
  • Provide companionship and emotional support
  • Supervise and monitor activities of children in the home
  • Drive the family car to bring family members to medical or social appointments
  • Help with laundry and household chores
  • Prepare grocery lists and meal plans
  • Plan menus for the week

In-Home Personal Caregiver, 2012 – 2014

NCH Healthcare System – Downtown Naples

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Encourage and help the client to eat regular meals and maintain a wellness routine
  • Change the client’s clothes and bed linens
  • Help the client with showering, hair care, and hygiene
  • Change and prepare the client’s bed
  • Monitor the client’s medicine intake to ensure they are taking their prescribed medications
  • Encourage and help the client with exercise outside of their home
  • Monitor the client’s blood sugar levels and administer insulin shots

Skills

  • Communicate with clients in a caring and empathetic way
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Work efficiently with a high level of attention to detail
  • Respond to changing situations and needs in a safe manner
  • Stay focused on the task at hand

Senior In-Home Personal Caregiver Resume Sample

Name: Blaine Abbott

Address: Mcallen, TX 78501

Phone: (571) 429-0581

Email: [email protected]

Current job: Senior In-Home Personal Caregiver at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital

Objective

I am seeking a Senior In-Home Personal Caregiver job position to provide the best possible care for the elderly and those who are disabled. I have a caring personality, am helpful and compassionate, and possess a strong work ethic. I have experience in this field as well as excellent references.

Work Experience

Senior In-Home Personal Caregiver, 2018 – present
AHN Grove City

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide companionship: Provide companionship and emotional support for the elderly person in their home.
  • Assist with daily activities: Assist with daily activities, such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, light grocery shopping, transportation, medication reminders.
  • Assist with personal care: Assist with personal care such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming

Senior In-Home Personal Caregiver, 2014 – 2018

Piedmont Columbus Regional – Northside

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Plan and prepare nutritious meals
  • Provide at least two hours of hands-on care per day to a patient during their rehabilitation process
  • Assist with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing and other tasks as requested by the patient
  • Stay on-call for emergencies
  • Maintain a clean environment for the patient and the caregiver
  • Report any other issues to the appropriate authorities as needed

In-Home Personal Caregiver, 2012 – 2014

Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide personal care for the elderly
  • Make necessary household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping
  • Provide transportation to necessary appointments
  • Maintain a clean and safe environment for the client
  • Care for pets in the home
  • Maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality
  • Report any changes in client’s health status to family and/or physician

Skills

  • Caregiver
  • Cleaning
  • Childcare
  • Cooking
  • Babysitting
  • Light Housekeeping
  • Laundry

How To Write A Good PCA Resume

With demand projected to remain high at 33% for the next 10 years, you can expect a lot of competition in this field of patient care. The last thing you want to do is to submit a cookie-cutter application. How bad do you want to get the job? Win it by sending a good PCA resume and in this section, we’ll teach you how.

Highlight Your Certifications

You don’t need to be certified or licensed to become a PCA – but that shouldn’t stop you from getting certified or licensed! You need every advantage you can get and don’t think that the other applicants are thinking of the same thing.

Look for schools and skills training agencies in your area that offer certification courses in PCA or a related field such as Caregiving. You can also sign up for online courses.

Make sure that the school has a curriculum that is accredited by a professional regulatory body in your region or has a good reputation in the industry.

A typical course outline will include the following topics:

  • Introduction to Nursing Procedures
  • Introduction to CPR
  • How to Measure a Patient’s Vital Signs
  • How to Perform Proper Patient Hygiene
  • Proper Handling and Care of Disabled Patients
  • How to Manage Patients Who Are Terminally Ill

Usually, it might take you 120 to 180 hours to complete these courses. After you take and pass the final exam, you’ll be given a certificate for your efforts.

Then, include these certifications in your PCA resume. You can add a specific category, “Certifications/Licenses”, and this should be situated in the top-third section of your resume so it can immediately be seen by the recruiter. Another good approach is to mention these certifications in your objective statement.

The key takeaway is that if you have them – certifications and licenses – flaunt them.

Choose the Right Resume Format

There’s no such thing as a default resume format. How you present your qualifications and information will have an impact on whether or not you get hired for the position.

You have to keep one thing in mind about the hiring/recruitment process. The recruiter will not spend a lot of time on your resume. Some studies have shown that recruiters won’t spend more than 6 seconds reviewing an application.

Choosing the right format will put the key information where the recruiter needs to see them. It will help him arrive at an accurate evaluation of your qualifications. You want your strengths, not flaws and weak points to be front and center.

Which resume format is for you?

  • Reverse-chronological – For PCA applicants who have at least 1 year of work experience and have no unemployment gap exceeding 4 months.
  • Functional Format – For those who have no work experience or fresh graduates but have acquired the proper training as a PCA.
  • Combination Format – For applicants who have extensive experience and are applying for a higher position as a PCA or for applicants with extensive experience from a related field such as caregiving and want to shift careers to become a PCA.

Review our sample resume for a PCA to have an idea of how the reverse-chronological format looks like.

The functional and the combination formats follow the same structure:

  • Contact Information
  • Objective Statement
  • Certifications/Licenses
  • Education
  • Strengths/Skills
  • Work Experience

As discussed previously, the person who uses the Combination format will have a more detailed work experience section.

If the purpose of the Functional format is to downplay the lack of experience by highlighting the technical qualifications, for the Combination format, the technical qualifications are used to add substance to the work experience section.

Include a Cover Letter

Technically, a cover letter isn’t part of your PCA resume but it can or should be part of your job application.

A cover letter is your formal introduction to the prospective employer. It’s presented in standard letter format with a header, greeting, introduction, value proposition/qualifications (the body), and conclusion.

Properly written, a cover letter can give you a significant advantage over the rest of the applicants. Include a cover letter if:

  • You know of an influential person who has a good relationship with the prospective employer.
  • You were referred by an influential person specifically for the position.

If your contact is indeed influential and known within the organization, the recruiter might prioritize your application. In some cases, the contact person makes arrangements with the head or owner of the company to expect your resume.

Before writing, make sure the contact person has given you the go-signal to mention his name in the cover letter.

Create a Professional-looking Resume

If your resume looks shabby, disorganized, and doesn’t read well, the recruiter might assume that your quality of work is the same.

The resume is your first contact with the recruiter. Make a good impression by writing a professional-looking resume:

  • Organize all information in bullet points.
  • Choose a professional resume style such as Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica.
  • The size of the font must be big enough to be readable.
  • Use a professional email address – [email protected] not [email protected]
  • Differentiate each section with sub-headers.
  • Review the resume multiple times and edit all mistakes in spelling and grammar. Run the resume through a spelling and grammar checker.

Lastly, unless your work experience exceeds 10 years, keep it down to only 1 page.

PCA Skills List

The abilities that a recruiter would want to see in your PCA skills list would depend on the nature of the job or the type of care that you have to administer. Generally speaking, the following skills or qualifications should be seen in your resume.

Education

As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to be a college graduate to become a Personal Care Assistant although having a degree would be a big plus. There are quite a few PCAs who have successful careers with only a high school diploma or a GED equivalent in tow.

The important thing for employers is that the candidate can read and understand instructions very well and have good enough comprehension to learn and process concepts and information.

Certifications

We discussed this in the section “How To Write A Good PCA Resume” and it bears mentioning again that completing certification courses that are relevant to the job of a PCA can help your application get noticed.

Signing up for certification courses shows the recruiter that you are serious about your chosen career. It also proves you have the initiative to become better at the job and assures the employer the company won’t have to spend much on training you.

Soft Skills

Although a big part of the job for a PCA is administering healthcare procedures that require technical or hard skills to patients, an argument can be made that a more important consideration is the personality of the PCA. After all, the job of a PCA is essentially patient service.

You’ll be attending to the special needs of the elderly or of people who are in the process of rehabilitation. Many of them might not be in the proper state of mental and emotional health.

The elderly might be afflicted with dementia or a form of mental condition such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Those who are recovering from surgery or medical procedure might be in a state of depression – they have a hard time coping with the reality of being disabled.

You’ll experience days where the patients won’t be pleasant. And for this reason, many PCAs quit the profession.

So what are the ideal soft skills to become an effective PCA?

  • Patience
  • Dedicated
  • Results-oriented
  • Detail-oriented
  • Ability to handle stressful situations
  • Pleasant/Positive Disposition
  • Cheerful
  • Empathetic
  • Passionate about healthcare
  • Excellent Motivator

You might be asking, “How will the recruiter know if I have these soft skills?”

The answer is to provide examples of incidents where you exhibited these soft skills in the work experience section. You’ll see examples in the next section.

PCA Duties And Responsibilities For The Work Experience Section

After the recruiter browses through your skills to assess your qualifications, the next question is “How well do you know your job as a PCA?” The answers can be found in how you present your PCA duties and responsibilities in the work experience section.

Present Your Duties and Responsibilities in Chronological Order

Regardless of which resume format you use, a good technique to get the recruiter engaged with your work experience section is to present your duties and responsibilities in chronological order.

In other words, start off with the first thing you do and end with the last task you do while on the job.

Here’s an example of writing the work experience section in chronological order:

  • Review the procedures for the day: medications to be administered, meal plans, and exercise schedule.
  • Check on the condition of the patient; refer to the schedule and perform the required task.
  • Bathe the patient and ensure a fresh change of clothes.
  • Prepare breakfast according to the meal plan.
  • Administer the prescribed medicines.
  • Update the patient checklist and record book.
  • Prepare a report for the attending physician.
  • Assist the patient through the specially-designed exercise routine.
  • Motivate patients who are struggling with some of the recovery programs.
  • Provide counsel and consultation to patients who are dealing with emotional issues.
  • Ensure that the patients are in the right mindset and not emotionally distressed by providing a good ear for listening and sound advice.
  • Prepare lunch according to the meal plan.
  • Ensure that the patient gets adequate rest and is comfortable.
  • Check the cleanliness and hygiene level of the bedsheets and change accordingly.
  • Endorse the patient’s records to the incoming PCA.

We bold-faced 3 of the job descriptions to highlight the point we made in the previous chapter that you can give the recruiter a snapshot of your soft skills by providing examples of instances where you displayed these traits in the work experience section.

Substantiate Your Job Descriptions With Numbers

To give the recruiter an idea of your level of experience and capabilities, substantiate your job descriptions with numbers.

Here are a few examples:

  • Attend to the needs of 25 patients on a daily basis.
  • Review and update the database of the clinic that accounts for 200 patients.
  • Prepare 75 meals per day.
  • Visit 4 patients in their homes on weekends.

Adding numbers to your job descriptions can be especially valuable if the job ad specifically requires a candidate with the experience of handling a range of patients per day.

Use the Right Verbs

Leadoff your job descriptions with verbs that are easily and readily identifiable with the job of a PCA.

Here’s a rundown of the best verbs you can use for your job descriptions:

  • Review
  • Evaluate
  • Analyze
  • Administer
  • Assist
  • Provide
  • Bathe
  • Wash
  • Guide
  • Attend
  • Prepare
  • Update
  • Endorse
  • Discuss
  • Manage
  • Oversee
  • Help

Keep Your Job Descriptions Short and Simple

If you think you can impress the recruiter by using technical jargon and long, meandering sentences – think again.

Recruiters prefer to review resumes that are easy to read and understand. Remember, recruiters, don’t spend a lot of time reading a resume. They will only scan them for keywords and information that are relevant to the needs of the company.

Go back to our examples of job descriptions for a PCA. You can see that the job descriptions are easy to understand and written in a conversational style. Keep your job descriptions short and simple. The recruiter will remember you for it.

Entry-Level PCA Resume

If you have an entry-level PCA resume, it’s understandable if you’re worried about your chances of getting hired. Many employers seem to value experience a great deal because you’re dealing with people who have compromised health.

The truth is, you’re not alone. The demand is quite high for PCAs and other health workers who extend service to patients with disabilities or rehabilitating from surgery. There will be other first-time PCAs who will be vying for the same job as you.

How can your entry-level PCA resume stand out from the rest? Follow our tips below to get the attention of the recruiter.

Use the Functional Format

It’s safe to assume that a significant number of first-time PCA job applicants will use the reverse-chronological format because that’s what the so-called resume writing experts will tell them.

Using the reverse-chronological format will emphasize your lack of work experience. Check out the structure of the reverse-chronological format below:

  • Contact Information
  • Objective Statement
  • Skills/Strengths
  • Work Experience
  • Education
  • Certifications/Licenses

The work experience section is right in the middle of the resume. The previous sections won’t have enough substance to show the recruiter that you’ve acquired the training and education necessary to become a PCA.

Under the functional format, work experience will be the last section. The sections “Certifications/Licenses” and “Education” will move up as you can see below:

  • Contact Information
  • Objective Statement
  • Certifications/Licenses
  • Education
  • Skills/Strengths
  • Work Experience

By using the functional format, you are able to drive more attention to your technical skills and specialized qualifications that are necessary to become a PCA.

Write a Compelling Objective Statement

If you’re starting out as a PCA, a recruiter might want to know 2 things about you:

  • Why did you decide to become a PCA?
  • Why did you decide to apply to our company?

Today’s recruiters are equally, perhaps even more, interested in finding out who the applicant is than what they can do. Recruiters know that skills can be taught through training.

But when you’re handling the needs of the elderly and other people who might be emotionally distressed because of their health situation, hiring someone with the right soft skills or attitude might be more important.

The recruiter can use the objective statement to get clues on who you are as a person.

  • Start off with your qualifications.
  • State the reason why you’re applying specifically to this particular employer.
  • Share your story of why you wanted to become a PCA.

Here’s an example of an objective statement that uses the above-mentioned tips:

“I’m a licensed Caregiver who has completed online certification as a Personal Care Assistant, a copy of which is attached to this resume. I’m interested in joining your team of PCAs because the majority of your patients are the elderly. I became a Caregiver because I spent the last 6 years taking care of my parents. It was during this time that I decided to become a PCA because the additional skills would improve the way I handled the needs of my patients. I’m confident of my abilities to render the best service and care to your patients if given the opportunity.”

If you haven’t heard from the company you applied to, it’s perfectly fine to follow up. Don’t be discouraged if the job wasn’t given to you. There are plenty of work opportunities available in the market. Be patient and keep pushing your PCA resume to companies that match your skill set.

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