How to Become a Respite Care Giver

Respite caregivers help people from all walks of life.

The need for quality health care professionals is always high. The devastating results of disease combined with a large senior citizen population have created the need for well-trained respite caregivers. In a 2010 Forbes article, Carolyn Rosenblatt says, "Thinking you can take care of an aging parent with dementia all by yourself is fooling yourself. It's a hard job that keeps getting harder. Plan for getting lots of help from every resource you can find." Many individuals with a strong desire to build a career around helping others have become professional respite caregivers.

Instructions

1. Understand the caregiver's role and job responsibilities. A respite caregiver can work with a wide variety of people. Their illnesses can include physical disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, autism and even cancer. Working on an intermittent basis, a respite caregiver, will provide much-needed breaks for the patient's primary caregiver.

2. Enroll in a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. This is required to work as a respite caregiver. Many colleges and universities offer comprehensive programs. According to CNA Training USA.com, "Anyone who has decided to complete a CNA Training program and become a nurse aide, has the opportunity to choose between a school based training course or online training programs." The cost to enroll in a program can range from $200 to $500, depending on the school. The American Red Cross also offers CNA training programs in most states that adhere to a nationally recognized curriculum.

3. Complete the required coursework and obtain a passing grade on the exam, prior to becoming a respite caregiver. Most CNA programs last between six and 12 weeks. Requirements include 40 hours of classroom instruction and an additional 35 hours of clinical training. The exam fees will vary by state. The final examination is administered by your state's board of nursing and specific questions can also vary from state-to-state. Visit AllNursingSchools.com for each state's board of nursing contact information.

4. Decide where you want to work. Respite caregivers can work for hospitals, doctors, hospice or private citizens. Many, newly certified, respite caregivers begin their careers by applying to work with home health care agencies. Hospitals and private doctors, sometimes, required respite caregivers to have at least two years' experience.

5. Remain certified by taking continuing education classes. Each state requires respite caregivers to keep their CNA certification up-to-date. Renewal fees and the necessary training hours vary by state. You will usually receive notification in the mail reminding you to renew your certification. However, to make sure you remain in compliance; check with your employer regarding any updates or changes to state regulations. You can also contact your state's board of nursing directly.

References

• CNA Training USA: CNA Training Classes and Programs
• American Red Cross: Start Your Healthcare Career with Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training
• All Nursing Schools: Complete List of State Boards of Nursing
• Forbes; "Swallow Your Pride and Ask for Help: The Challenge For Family Caregivers"; Carolyn Rosenblatt; 2010