CFChooseField
Healthcare Support

Personal Care Aides

Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily living support (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation). May also provide help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry. Work is performed in various settings depending on the needs of the care recipient and may include locations such as their home, place of work, out in the community, or at a daytime nonresidential facility.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Personal Care Aides
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Preparation level

Job Zone 2
Usually requires some preparation, which may include a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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Leading skill

Active Listening
A highly important skill for Personal Care Aides.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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Core knowledge

English Language
A leading knowledge area used in Personal Care Aides.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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Career interest

Social
One of the strongest interest themes associated with this work.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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Typical work activity

Assisting and Caring for Others
One of the occupation's most important kinds of work.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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Day-to-day work

10 examples
Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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Software and tools

8 tools listed
Examples: MEDITECH software, Appletree, August Systems Visit Wizard.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Transportation
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Psychology
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Near Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Empathy
  2. 2Cooperation
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Optimism
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Social Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Training and Teaching Others
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Work context

  1. 1Physical Proximity
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Exposed to Disease or Infections
  5. 5Time Pressure
  6. 6Frequency of Decision Making

Representative tasks

  • Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
  • Administer bedside or personal care, such as ambulation or personal hygiene assistance.
  • Perform healthcare-related tasks, such as monitoring vital signs and medication, under the direction of registered nurses or physiotherapists.
  • Participate in case reviews, consulting with the team caring for the client, to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services.
  • Instruct or advise clients on issues, such as household cleanliness, utilities, hygiene, nutrition, or infant care.
  • Care for individuals or families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
  • Perform housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, or running errands.
  • Provide clients with communication assistance, typing their correspondence or obtaining information for them.

Software and tools

MEDITECH software · hot technologyAppletreeAugust Systems Visit WizardComputer reading softwareEmail softwareFaceTimeMi-Co Mi-FormsVoltage SecureMail

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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