Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is someone who helps people with disabilities or elderly individuals with their daily activities at home or in community settings. They assist with basic needs like getting dressed, personal hygiene, meal preparation, and mobility. PCAs are different from home health aides or certified nursing assistants because they focus more on non-medical support and helping clients live independently. You might also see these workers called Personal Care Assistants, Personal Support Workers, or Direct Support Professionals. They're essential workers who help maintain their clients' dignity and independence in daily life.
Examples in Resumes
Provided one-on-one support as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for three clients with physical disabilities
Assisted elderly clients with daily activities as a PCA, maintaining detailed care logs
Worked as a Personal Care Assistant supporting clients with mobility and personal care needs
Typical job title: "Personal Care Attendants"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Personal Care Attendants
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Training Resources
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Level Questions
Q: How would you handle an emergency situation with a client?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of emergency protocols, ability to stay calm, when to call 911, how to communicate with emergency services, and understanding of documentation requirements after incidents.
Q: How do you train and mentor new PCAs?
Expected Answer: Should show leadership skills, ability to teach proper care techniques, importance of following care plans, and how to maintain professional boundaries while building client trust.
Intermediate Level Questions
Q: How do you maintain professional boundaries while still building a caring relationship with clients?
Expected Answer: Should discuss importance of staying professional while being compassionate, following care plans, respecting client privacy, and maintaining appropriate emotional boundaries.
Q: Describe how you would handle a client refusing care.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate patient communication skills, respect for client rights, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of when to report issues to supervisors.
Entry Level Questions
Q: What experience do you have with personal care tasks?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic care tasks like helping with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and understanding the importance of dignity in care.
Q: How would you ensure client safety during transfers?
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of basic safety procedures, proper body mechanics, use of assistive devices, and when to ask for help.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic personal care tasks
- Following care plans
- Safety awareness
- Communication with clients
Mid (1-3 years)
- Complex care management
- Client advocacy
- Documentation skills
- Emergency response
Senior (3+ years)
- Training new staff
- Care coordination
- Advanced client support
- Leadership abilities
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of personal boundaries or privacy requirements
- Inability to follow written care plans
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of reliability or punctuality
- No awareness of safety procedures
