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HOW TO BE GREAT CAREGIVER

Since caregiving is a popular industry in Canada, an interested candidate must learn to be competitive and have the desired skills for the profession. To be a caregiver is certainly challenging, especially since you usually must live at the house of an employer. Before a candidate can work for a family, she or he has to be assured that they are suitable for the work involved. There are certain qualifications for the caregiver that should be met.

Training

A candidate must have at least six months’ training or at least one year of full-time paid work experience as a caregiver or in a related field or occupation (including six months with one employer) in the past three years. To claim work experience, you need to have worked for one year, including at least six months of continuous employment for the same employer. This work experience must be in a field or occupation specific to what you will do as a live-in caregiver. This experience must have been acquired within the three years immediately before the day on which you make an application for a work permit as a caregiver.

Education

You must have successfully completed the equivalent of Canadian high school education (secondary school). Because of the differences in school systems across Canada, it is not possible to give a precise number of years. In most provinces, it takes 12 years of schooling to obtain a Canadian high school diploma. The immigration officer assessing your application will let you know what is needed.

Communication skills

You must be able to speak, read and understand either English or French so that you can function on your own in your employer’s home. For example, you must be able to call emergency services if they are needed, and to understand labels on medication. You will be unsupervised for most of the day and may have to communicate with someone outside the home from time to time. You will also be able to read and understand your rights and obligations if you can speak English or French.

Clearances

The caregiver has to show documents as proofs of medical, criminal, and security clearances.

Work agreement

  • You and your future employer are legally required to sign a written employment contract.
  • You must submit the signed contract with your work permit application. This must be the same employment contract submitted to ESDC/SC by your employer, unless you provide an explanation of any changes (for example, a new start date).
  • The written employment contract will ensure there is a fair working arrangement between you and your employer.
  • The employment contract must demonstrate:
    • Mandatory employer-paid benefits, including:
      • Transportation to Canada from your country of permanent residence or the country of habitual residence to the location of work in Canada
      • Medical insurance coverage provided from the date of your arrival until you are eligible for provincial health insurance
      • Workplace safety insurance coverage for the duration of your employment
      • All recruitment fees, including any amount payable to a third-party recruiter or agents hired by the employer that would otherwise have been charged to you
    • Job duties
    • Hours of work
    • Accommodation arrangements (including room and board)
    • Holiday and sick leave entitlements
    • Termination and resignation terms.

VISA

You must obtain a work permit before you enter Canada. If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of introduction from the Canadian visa office responsible for your area. You will need to present this letter to the Border Services Officer upon arrival in Canada in order to obtain your work permit.

"When the caregiver candidate has these qualifications, she can be considered to work for a family in Canada."

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