Whether you are just starting your caregiver career or have years of experience behind you, writing a good resume is not easy. In this article, we show you how to make a resume that will set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of getting a job.
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a Medicaid program that allows the elderly, chronically ill, and disabled New York residents to direct their own care. This means that instead of having to rely on home health aides, the program beneficiaries can designate their family members and friends as their paid caregivers.
The main responsibility of a CDPAP caregiver is assisting a loved one with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), for example:
But caregivers do more than just attend to the patient’s daily needs. They also provide important emotional support, encouragement, and help the person in their care maintain a positive attitude.
If you are a CDPAP agency caregiver in search of a new employment opportunity, you should have a good resume. The tips below will help you design a strong resume that will help you stand out from the competition.
A resume is a document that provides an overview of your relevant work experience, skills, and education. A high-quality resume will convince your potential employer that you are the right person for the job.
Your CDPAP caregiver resume should include the following:
The summary of the resume is a brief statement that presents your best qualities and achievements as a caregiver. This is your chance to make a good first impression on your future employer.
This part of the resume highlights the skills that will allow you to successfully care for an elderly or disabled person. Make sure to focus on both hard skills, such as your knowledge about the illness or disability, creating a safe environment, and assisting with daily tasks, and soft skills like communication abilities, patience, and empathy.
In this section, you should list your professional work experience, including the name of your past employers, dates, and your main responsibilities.
Your educational background shows that you have the specialized knowledge required for providing high-level care. Indicate what university or school you attended, what were your major and minor degrees, and your year of graduation.
If you have any relevant certifications or licenses, such as home health aide certification, dementia care certification, or CPR and first aid certification, make sure to mention them in this section.
Speaking another language is a clear advantage when looking for a caregiver job, as it will allow you to communicate with patients from a wider range of backgrounds.
References from previous employers will confirm your competency and credibility. Even if you have never worked as a caregiver before, you may still have plenty of relevant personal experience. For example, you may have helped an elderly family member or relative with activities of daily living or volunteered in a senior center.
Now that we’ve determined what elements you need to include in a CDPAP resume, let’s see what it should communicate to your potential employer.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing a resume is to emphasize the qualities that set you apart from the competition. This will make it easier for the employer to notice your resume among dozens of others and increase your chances of getting the job.
Your CDPAP resume should communicate the following:
It is essential that you tailor the resume specifically for the position you’re applying for, such as working with dementia patients or taking care of the elderly with diabetes. Personalize your resume by including the name of the employer to show that you are genuinely interested in working for them.
If you are interested in hiring a professional caregiver for your loved one, it is important to focus on more than just competency.
Here are the characteristics you should look for.
Caregivers often have to deal with the patient’s special health needs and requirements. Specialty training, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia training, fall prevention, and transitional care training, will ensure that the caregiver is well equipped to provide care in an effective and safe manner.
You should look for certified caregivers who will be able to provide a high level of care to your elderly or disabled family member.
Caregivers who have experience from previous home care positions will be able to quickly assess the patient’s needs and ensure their health and safety. They will also require less training.
Professional caregivers know how to create a safe environment and appropriately communicate with the family about the patient’s care needs. Furthermore, they are capable of managing their emotions and understand that anger and aggressivity are normal responses in patients with disability or chronic illnesses.
Caregivers must be able to empathize with what the individuals in their care are going through. Without empathy and compassion, a caregiver won’t be able to form a trusting relationship with the patient.
A responsible caregiver is a dedicated individual who truly cares about the patient and will be selfless in their desire to improve the quality of life of your loved one.
Table of Contents
If you have Medicaid FreedomCare allows you to choose your caregiver!
