Steps on Hiring a Caregiver

Written by Cynthia Mofarrah

1.   Decide what kind of care is needed for your family member or friend. Do you need a caregiver with a nursing background;  registered nurse (RN), certified nurse assistant (CNA) or a home health aide? 

Here are the brief descriptions

RN is a graduate trained nurse who has passed a state registration examination and has been licensed to practice nursing.

CNA provides basic personal care to patients in the long-term care facility.  Certification through the State Department of Health Services. 

Home Health Aide provides basic personal care in the home setting. Certification through the State Department of Health Services.

2.   Post a job opening notification at the local college or university's nursing program. Call your local visiting nurse association. They may have a caregiver referral list. 

Many community colleges, adult education programs and vocation programs offer nursing career programs such as the certified nursing assistant programs and the home health aide program. Check to see if they have a job placement center for their graduates. Post a job-opening announcement.

3.   Before hiring a caregiver, have her fill out an application. The application should include references, prior work experiences, personal information and other relevant information. If you are hiring a caregiver with a nursing background, verify her credentials and educational background. See the Caregiver Job Application

4.   Perform a background check on the caregiver. Make sure to tell her that you will be conducting a background check. Many companies offer this service for a fee. You can perform a background check on the Internet.

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