When you complete an online course and potentially enter aged care as a young person, there's no denying that it can be a little bit daunting. Even though you've got your heart set on a rewarding career helping the elderly to lead independent lives, when you start out, you may not have the requisite skills and experience to do the job correctly.
What's it like working as a caregiver?
Of course, you can study affordable (cheap), aged care courses online as part of your personal development plan, but nothing prepares you for the sights, smells and sounds of working in a real-life elderly care facility. You must prepare yourself because it can be challenging but one of the most rewarding jobs.
One thing is for sure you will be in demand after completing your online elderly care training, mainly as the pandemic has led to something of a shortfall of care workers in Australia over the last 12 months or so. With average pay in the region of $32 per hour, you can see why so many choose careers in the sector.
What are some tips for caring for a dependent elderly person?
So, here we get to the stuff you’ve been waiting for, as we offer some advice for any young person looking to study Aged Care courses online. By reading on, you’ll better understand the areas you need to focus on as you prepare to start the role for real.
So, please sit back and relax while we take you through what’s what.
What does an Aged Care worker do on a day-to-day basis?
As even free online courses in Australia on the subject will show you, aged care work is as enjoyable as it is as no two days are ever quite the same. You’re typically dealing with tasks that the people you're caring for can’t do for themselves, so you could be preparing meals one moment and taking someone out shopping the next.
You’ll learn the theory through tafe courses, but it’s not until you start caring for the elderly for real that you realise just how much needs to be done. You might need to help those you look after with their financial management, personal care, or even being a friend who provides them with a semblance of normality in their lives.
Getting Employed As an Aged Care Worker
Once you’ve completed your Aged Care course, you’ll be applying for jobs, so it’s important that your interview technique is up to scratch. There may be some competition for the role you’re applying for, so the answers you give during the interview will need to reflect the kind of person they’re looking for.
You’ll need to display the correct motivations and an understanding of what the role entails, so don’t be surprised if you get asked why you chose a career in care work. You might also get asked whether you’re a team player, as teamwork is really important for most jobs you’ll find.
If you’ve recently completed your working with the elderly courses, the chances are you won’t have much experience. However, you might still be asked to describe a scenario where you’ve had to deal with challenging work or home situations. Your answers will tell a lot about you, so preparing beforehand is a really good idea - as is doing some research into the company you’re applying for a job with.
A Diverse & Varied Career Path
As with many care roles in Australia, choosing a career in aged care doesn't limit you to the job's primary responsibilities. Some people get into it because they are passionate about helping the elderly. However, this passion can be channelled into other equally helpful areas.
As well as being a standard carer, you could specialise in HR, admin, managerial, front-line support or catering. This means that all of your career ambitions can be met without leaving the industry. With major companies like Bupa, Opal, and All offering lots of opportunities in aged care, you'll never be short of a chance to develop as a carer.
Realise Your Ambitions With Online Elderly Care Training
So, if you are a young person who’s currently considering a career working with the elderly, we’re here to tell you that there has never been a better time for aged care study online. The affordable, flexible online learning we offer at Online Courses Australia means you can study at your own pace and pay for your training in instalments if necessary.
Our training is also CPD Endorsed meaning that for every hour completed, you’ll earn a point that will make you more employable to hiring managers. We offer a next-level learning experience that goes far beyond traditional text-based training. Want to see what that looks like? Take a glance at our Study Demo, which tells you everything you need to know.
If you’d like to know more about our elderly care courses or any of the short courses or Micro-Credentials we offer, visit our website today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. Alternatively, to speak to us directly about our cheap courses that are easy on your budget, give us a call at 1300 611 404 or drop us an email at [email protected], and we’ll get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
