Caregiving as a Second Job
Do you have a full-time job and are you looking for a way to earn some extra cash? Do you enjoy working one-to-one with individuals? Are you a licensed nurse assistant (LNA) seeking some additional income? Do you want to help the elderly with their daily activities, but aren't sure how?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, becoming a part-time in-home caregiver may be worth considering.
Caregiving as a second job can be beneficial for all involved; you can make some extra money while helping provide a better quality of life for someone who needs personal assistance! Unlike many part-time jobs that have set schedules you need to conform to, being an in-home caregiver enables you to work the hours you want to work and can be as few as 10 hours per week.
It’s important to point out that you do not have to have a medical background to become a part-time in-home caregiver. There are caregiver opportunities for those with and without medical experience!
Consider the answer to these questions if you want to be a caregiver
When you're seeking a caregiver position, here are a few things to consider.
- What hours do you want to fill during a week? What day(s) of the week do you want to work? Just because you have free time to fill doesn’t mean it should be filled with more work. Think about the days and hours you truly want to fill with part-time work.
- Do you have reliable transportation? Clients will be local, but it’s important to know you can get to your appointments on time.
- Do you have experience working with the elderly? It’s not necessary with all positions but know your preferences and be up front about your limitations for a role.
- Are you comfortable caring for clients with specific needs? Again, it’s not necessary with all positions, but know your preferences and be up front about your limitations for a role.
- Are there any certifications or licenses that would be beneficial to add to your résumé? You can find caregiver positions that don’t require any specialized training, but with additional training, certifications, and licensing, you’ll qualify for a higher hourly fee.
- Will this additional pay allow you to achieve your goals without negatively impacting your life? It won’t benefit anyone if you take responsibility for a client, yet you’re tired when attending to them, or your family sees less of you when they need you to be around.
Make sure taking on additional work, particularly as a caregiver, is what you really want before moving forward.
Consider the benefits of having a part-time caregiver position
Being a part-time caregiver can give you additional income without requiring you to work hours you don’t want to. We’ll work with your schedule.
You can create your own fixed schedule with a client. We highly recommended a regular schedule whenever possible – clients like to know they can rely on help on a certain day and time each week. Many times, clients look forward to their part-time caregiver engagements, so consistency is important.
While medical experience isn't necessary (we'll provide training), a part-time caregiving position can be a great option for someone already working in a senior care facility who would like to provide more individualized attention to people.
If you’re an LNA and your full-time job has you managing many patients every day, being a part-time caregiver may feel like taking a break! It enables you to build a relationship with your patient, too, unlike the challenge of managing several clients every day.
Caregiving as a second job will have you working close to home; there won’t be any long commute.
Get started as a part-time caregiver today
Caregiving as a second job is a great flexible way to earn extra money without interfering with your existing employment. Consider what days and hours will work best with your current schedule and fit into your life, then visit our Careers page to get started!
