Do you plan on getting a caregiver job in Canada? This article will take you through the necessary steps to land your dream job as a caregiver in Canada. Getting a caregiver job in Canada is a great decision because caregiver jobs are highly in demand. However, this is due to the growing aging population and the continuous need for skilled workers in the healthcare sector.
For this job, you need to obtain a work permit to show that you are eligible to work legally in Canada. Furthermore, Canada offers exclusive immigration pathways to caregivers or nannies who wish to live, work, and become permanent residents. Although eligibility conditions and requirements may differ depending on the program type.
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You must understand which category of the immigration programs you would be eligible for. Even though there is no age limit for caregivers in Canada, you cannot work if you are below the age of 16 without your parent’s consent. Dive in as we take you through the types of caregiver immigration programs, their requirements, and how to obtain a caregiver work permit in Canada.
What is a Caregiver’s Job?
A caregiver is someone who gets paid or not, to assist an individual with daily activities. However, caregivers are mostly in charge of the comfort and personal care of an individual who could be a family member or patient. Their Job role may include helping with different things a patient can no longer do without being assisted. Such as bathing, grooming, eating, doing laundry, and helping with dressing.
Types of Caregiver Immigration Pilot Programs
The Canadian government has created the caregiver visa program to help foreign nannies and caregivers enter the country and obtain Canada’s permanent residency. Currently, just two caregiver immigration pilot programs accept new applicants. Read on as we’ve compiled and discussed the two caregiver immigration pilot programs.
1. Home Child Care Provider Program Canada
Home childcare providers work with parents to assist them in raising their children, as well as with house chores. Furthermore, as a home childcare provider, care can be delivered in either your home or at your employer’s.
However, with the right competence and experience as a caregiver, the home childcare provider is a great immigration pathway for you.
You will qualify for this pathway if you work as a:
- Nannies.
- Babysitters.
- Parent’s helpers.
- Child care providers.
- Live-in Caregivers.
- Childcare providers in private homes.
Requirements
If you want to apply for the home childcare provider program, you’ll need to meet the following requirements.
- Complete one year of post-secondary education inside or outside Canada.
- Score CLB of at least 5 in an English language proficiency exam.
- Acquire at least one year’s work experience as a caregiver, babysitter, or nanny.
- Have a valid job offer from Canada.
2. Home Support Worker Pilot Program Canada
In cases of incapacitation and family instability, home support workers help the aged, persons with disabilities, and those in rehabilitation, to recover by providing them with personal care and company. In addition, the home support worker may have to live in the homes of their employer/clients and provide care. As a home support worker, you may or may not care for the children as it’s not your main duty.
You may qualify for this program if you work as a:
- Family caregiver.
- Housekeepers.
- Home support workers.
- Attendants who care for and assist differently-abled people.
- Live-in caregivers for aged people.
- Personal care attendants.
- Personal helpers.
Requirements
Individuals who wish to apply for the home support worker pilot program will need to meet the following requirements.
- One completed year of post-secondary education inside or outside Canada.
- Score at least CLB 5 in an English language proficiency exam.
- In addition, possess at least one year of work experience.
- Also, obtain a valid job offer from Canada.
How to Get a Caregiver Work Permit in Canada
Before you can work and live in Canada as a caregiver, you’ll have to apply for a work permit. Below are six steps to go about it.
1. Check Your Eligibility
Ensure you first check if you’re eligible for a work permit, this will however save you time as well as money towards your application. Furthermore, It will give you an idea if your requirements and work experience are eligible in Canada or not.
2. Choose Your Appropriate Work Permit
There are two types of work permits available for caregiver jobs in Canada. If you aim to permanently work and settle in Canada, an employer-specific permit is the perfect option. This work permit will allow you to work for only one Canadian employer, who will need to submit an LMIA or a job offer letter before you decide to apply for this permit.
On the other hand, an open work permit would only allow you to work temporarily in Canada. Although, you can work anywhere in Canada for any employer with this permit.
3. Gather all Required Documents
Meanwhile, you’ll be required to submit specific documents for your work permit. You can check the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the requirements of a caregiver job work permit in Canada.
4. Fill Your Application Form
You will need to fill out your work permit application form online, truthfully, completely, and accurately. However, your application may be rejected if you fill in false information, which might result in lost time and money.
5. Pay Additional Permit Fees
There will be additional permit fees depending on the work permit you choose. However, paying these fees is a necessity for your application to be reviewed. To know how much the permit application fees will cost, visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
6. Submit Your Application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Website
Once you have filled out and submitted your application, all that’s left is to wait and get your work visa before you can work in Canada as a caregiver.
Caregiver Duties
Getting a caregiver job in Canada, your basic duties may include one or all of the following. Read on!
- Bathing and grooming.
- You also do laundry and help with dressing.
- Shopping for food and groceries, as well as its preparation.
- Light housekeeping.
- In addition, you will be managing your client’s medications.
- Transportation.
- Giving mobility assistance.
- Furthermore, you will provide companionship and emotional support.
- Communicating with doctors and monitoring medications.
Caregiver Skills
As a caregiver, it is necessary to have some specific skills. We have compiled the needed skills below, read on.
1. Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential. Being able to articulate something as simple as a daily schedule or as complicated as discussing health concerns and observations with the person in your care, family members, and healthcare providers is critical. Furthermore, you have to keep up communication to ensure that everyone involved in the care-giving relationship gets clear and accurate information.
2. Physical Strength and Stamina
Caregivers perform lots of physical activities, ranging from carrying groceries and vacuuming to helping individuals with mobility. Therefore, you need to be physically fit before applying for a caregiver job in Canada. Oftentimes, caregivers are on their feet and for long periods.
Having a baseline level of physical strength and stamina will help maintain your health and that of your client.
3. Problem Solving Skills
The job of a caregiver will not guarantee you having a day in which everything goes exactly as planned. Paraventure, when plans change, appointments get canceled, or new routines are required based on needs. It is however important that a caregiver can function and adapt to last-minute changes, as well as take on unexpected challenges.
Thinking on your feet as a caregiver is crucial for the person in your care and you as well.
4. Patience
Every job has its challenges, a caregiver’s job is no exception. Sometimes when we are not prepared to deal with these challenges, we lose patience. Nonetheless, caregivers need to keep it together, take a step back, and take care of themselves just as they would the person in their care.
Sometimes knowing your limits and not being afraid to ask for help is one of the best ways to ensure you’re not feeling overwhelmed.
5. Compassion
Be compassionate, this simply means being able to tune in to another person’s distress and having the feelings and desire to alleviate it. Kindness, empathy, and a caring heart are qualities a good caregiver must possess. Although, it takes a very special person to become a family caregiver, as well as a professional caregiver. But if you have these caregiver skills, then you might be a great fit.