Becoming a Paid Caregiver

By Robin Bush, ISR Communications, and Kimberly Bailey, ISR COPES Program Manager

Cynthia’s neighbor and dear family friend, Peter, needs someone to care for him after his stroke. She’s been looking for a job while struggling to help Peter whenever she can, as he needs round-the-clock assistance. For months, she and her mom have been searching for someone to care for him full-time but have had no luck. There are no available paid caregivers in their area. This is a common challenge as there is a national shortage of caregivers. Cynthia didn’t know that she could apply and be trained to be a paid caregiver, which would solve Peter’s need for support and give her a job.

Becoming a paid caregiver might also be a good opportunity for you. As a caregiver, you can be an individual provider with the chance to choose your clients and decide how much or how little you want to work or work on staff for a home care agency or care facility. For many, caregiving can be a great way to earn money at any age, a good job to keep you active and earning during retirement, a wonderful way to help others, and an opportunity for you and the person you care for to stay socially active. It’s deeply rewarding work that provides a sense of purpose and a source of satisfaction, knowing you make a difference in someone else’s life. Being a caregiver is also a good opportunity for students who may need flexible schedules and gain experience working with older adults and people with disabilities or for parents who are looking to work but need the flexibility to work around their children’s/family’s schedules.

Caregivers help with daily living tasks like dressing, helping with hygiene, transferring, walking, preparing meals, doing light housework, shopping, and driving to appointments.

There are some requirements to becoming a paid caregiver, including:

  • be 18 years old or older
  • pass a criminal background check
  • provide a picture ID and be authorized to work in the U.S.
  • complete 75 hours of Home Care Aide (HCA) certification, which covers safety, basic caregiving skills, and topics unique to care needs of specialized populations.

To become an independent provider (IP), you need to apply through Consumer Direct WA (CDWA) at consumerdirectwa.com. This organization oversees onboarding and training, caregiver payments, working conditions, and is a voice for the in-home care industry. You can be an IP either for a family member (non-spouse only) or someone you are not related to. The cost of your HCA training is covered when you work for CDWA.

You may be able to be paid through the state for providing care to a client who is enrolled in one of the state-funded assistance programs. For more information, please call and speak to one of ISR’s Resources & Coaching Specialists at 360-321-1600.

To learn more about being a caregiver, go to www.caregivercareerswa.com. Additional resources for becoming a caregiver can be found on the WA State Dept of Social and Health Services website at www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/becoming-paid-caregiver.

DSHS has Workforce Navigators who can help find information about becoming an in-home caregiver and provide support through the hiring process. Our local Workforce Navigator is Naomi Spector. You can contact her at naomi.spector@dshs.wa.gov or 360-764-6320.

Those who are currently paid or unpaid caregivers can also take advantage of several ISR programs that support caregivers and their care partners:

For information on these or any of our resources for older adults and caregivers, please call us at 360-321-1600, email reception@islandseniorservices.org, or visit our website at www.senior-resources.org.