PCA stands for Personal Care Assistant, which is a licensed healthcare professional who works with patients who require extended or specialized care. PCAs are trained to provide a wide range of services to individuals in their own homes, hospitals, medical clinics/offices, nursing care facilities, homes, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers. They help patients with daily activities while they are recuperating from injury, illness, or a procedure. Some of the services provided by a PCA overlap with those of other in-home care workers, such as home health aides (HHA) or nursing assistants, but only workers with state certifications and licenses, such as certified nursing assistants or licensed practical nurses, can provide basic nursing services.

PCAs offer personal care services that are part of a client’s established plans of care. They provide services that include helping clients maintain their personal hygiene by assisting them with bathing, dressing, grooming, handling toileting and incontinence care, transferring from the bed to a chair, and eating meals for those who have difficulty feeding themselves. PCAs also provide companionship to clients, which is important for maintaining their self-worth and dignity.

In terms of qualifications, getting a job as a PCA in a hospital does not require extensive formal qualifications or education; typically, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Since you deal directly with patients, you need strong communication skills, empathy, and patience. The ability to speak additional languages is frequently an asset and can set you ahead of other job seekers. PCAs must sometimes lift patients, push wheelchairs, or move equipment, meaning you must have the physical ability to perform these manual tasks. In addition to these skills, you should pursue basic life-saving (BLS) certification.