How to start a caregiver career without experience

If you're asking yourself whether a caregiver career could be right for you, you've come to the right place. At SRG, we've got more than 35 years of experience providing care to seniors in our communities across the states. So we know a thing or two about building a career in care.

Did you know that number of caregiver jobs is on the rise? In the US alone, these roles are expected to increase by an impressive 25% from 2021 to 2031.

There's no denying that caregiving is an admiral job. And with more people in need of exceptional care, we want to show you the different paths you can take to step into one of these roles.

Here's how you can start your caregiver career without any previous experience.

How to become a caregiver 

Look for roles that don't require any experience

It sounds like an obvious place to start, but a lot of people don't know that there are some roles out there that don't require any previous caregiving experience. Take SRG, for example. For most of our roles, we don't look for experience. Because that's secondary. Attitude is the most important thing when looking for people to care for our residents. We can offer you all the training and support you need to be an exceptional caregiver. What we can't teach is passion.

Gain experience through volunteering

The great thing about caregiving is that there are many routes to take to become qualified. Meaning that you can pick the one that you're most comfortable with. If you want to test out the waters and see if a caregiver career is for you, volunteering is a great place to begin. Although you won't be administering medical treatment, you will learn from medically trained professionals.

What experience will you gain?

• How to assist with daily living activities
• Offering medication reminders
• Providing companionship

Gain a certification

If you choose to go down the route of becoming fully qualified before you look for a role, there are a few steps to take. Although it will vary, many employers or care agencies require a GED certificate or high school diploma. If you want to take on more healthcare-related responsibilities, you'll need more advanced certifications. These include:

• The National Caregiver Certification Course (NCCC)
• A Home Health Aide (HHA) certification
• A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license

What will you learn?

• Basic lifesaving skills or BLS and CPR
• Supporting patient wellbeing by checking vitals and recording food intake
• Administering medications
• Risk management and fall prevention
• Enhancing the lives of seniors through healthcare supervision and support
• Creating and following a personal care plan for specific client needs
• Caring for patients who require different levels of support, from people who have no known health conditions to those who need memory care

As a caregiver, you never stop learning. There's always the opportunity to gain more certifications. And if you choose the right employer, they'll support you endlessly to always practice and learn more.

Extra tips

Keep a diary

In the early days of building your caregiver career, no one expects you to remember everything. Writing down your observations and thoughts means you'll get to spot patterns and see where you can improve, helping to build your confidence.

Another benefit of setting aside time to self-reflect is the boost it can give to your wellbeing. Writing down your unedited thoughts can help you tap into your feelings and understand them better.

Find a mentor you can talk to

A mentor can be anyone with experience working in your field or someone who can relate. Their role is to provide guidance, emotional support, and advice if you ask for it. They can coach you as you make the first steps on this new journey toward becoming a qualified caregiver. Their role isn't to tell you how to do your job better but to lend a pair of ears and help you develop professionally. Through regular check-ins, you can offer quick updates on how your role and skills are developing and any challenges you are facing. 

Remember that every role will differ

When it comes to looking for jobs, there's no shortage of choices for caregivers, including non-medical home care, hospices, and adult daycare. Or you might consider becoming a caregiver for seniors. In this role, you'll assist residents with daily tasks and activities, while also providing companionship and emotional support. This is a great way to build strong relationships with patients while making a difference in their lives.

So it's simply a case of finding an environment that works for you.

Come and see what it means to provide exceptional care

Speaking of finding a role that's right for you, we've got a mix of caregiver jobs that might interest you. With communities across six US states, each with its own personality, we've got a lot of variety to offer.

And unlike many other employers, we offer opportunities, no matter what experience you have. It doesn't matter if you've got years of experience under your belt or you're just beginning your caregiver career, you can find a role with us.

Join our care team and work together to provide the best possible care for our residents.