Personal Care Assistants provide essential support for elderly adults, individuals with disabilities, chronically ill clients, hospice patients, and those recovering from illness or injury. PCAs may work in private homes, residential care settings, hospice facilities, senior centers, or adult day programs. Assignments may involve supporting one client or several throughout the day, with schedules that can include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet all state, health, and agency standards. This includes being a Georgia-certified CNA and demonstrating the ability to observe, assess, communicate clearly, follow instructions, work independently, and maintain confidentiality. PCAs must be able to organize tasks, prioritize responsibilities, multi-task, apply behavior-support techniques, and provide group or individual skill instruction. Competence in BLS and First Aid is required, along with clear written communication in English.

Additional requirements include:

• Understanding of intellectual disabilities, Everyday Lives principles, and Self-Determination.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain professional, respectful interaction with clients and coworkers.
• Annual TB test, annual physical confirming freedom from communicable disease, and all required criminal background checks.
• Demonstrated training, skills, or experience necessary for Community Access services.
• Acceptable driving history when transporting clients, within the defined seven-year Motor Vehicle Record window.

Responsibilities

PCAs provide personal care, supervision, protective oversight, and direct support tailored to each client’s needs. Responsibilities include hands-on care, skill building, documentation, and collaboration with families and service teams.

Daily duties may involve:

• Assisting with bathing, grooming, dressing, showering, and general hygiene.
• Light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, errands, and related tasks.
• Engaging clients in meaningful activities such as reading, conversation, or games.
• Communicating with family members regarding client wellbeing, nutrition, and care concerns.
• Following all Department of Human Resources and Office of Regulatory Services requirements.
• Assessing and documenting client needs on an ongoing basis.

PCAs also support skill development, independence, and community participation by implementing program plans designed to enhance social, emotional, cognitive, and daily living abilities. This includes completing all required logs, reports, fiscal and medical documentation accurately and on schedule, and participating in meetings with families, agencies, and service providers.

Reliable transportation may be required for appointments, community outings, and scheduled activities. PCAs assist clients in arranging medical care when responsible for doing so and follow all healthcare recommendations.

Competency Requirements

A high school diploma or GED is required, along with one of the following:

• Completion of a 8 hour training curriculum with competency verification.

Expectations

PCAs must be able to:

• Drive a passenger vehicle when applicable and maintain a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable transportation.
• Obtain all required clearances and maintain required annual health documentation.
• Purchase their own required trainings (CPR, CPI, GCHEXS report, etc.).
• Work flexible hours based on individual and program needs.
• Travel to trainings or meetings when requested by the program director.
• Provide respectful, dignity-focused support during community interactions.