When you have an interview for a senior care position, you might be mostly concerned with the questions the interviewer is going to ask you. Do you have the training needed for the position? The specific experience needed? But just as they want to know specifics about who they’re interviewing, there are questions a caregiver should ask during the interview, too, in order to determine if the opportunity is right for them.
“It’s very important to find out ahead of time what’s going to be expected of you in a job,” says Carol Gleason of Brewster, New York, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who has worked with seniors in private care situations as well as at assisted living facilities. “You might be asked to lift a patient who’s too heavy for you, or to use a Hoyer lift [an apparatus used to transfer patients to the shower or tub], which you need to be trained to use. You also have to be qualified to dispense medication, usually a nurse will do that.”
To make sure a job is the right fit for you, here are 20 questions caregivers should ask when interviewing for a senior care position, according to Gleason, Cindy Jekels, recruitment and retention manager at Comfort Keepers and Guerdy Duclosel, a CNA in Darien, Connecticut.
Basic questions caregivers should ask about the job:
- Will I be expected to drive to appointments or take the client on errands, etc.? Will I be given a vehicle to use or expected to use my own vehicle?
- What are the hours and days for this position?
- Will there be overnight shifts?
- Is this a permanent or temporary position?
- How will I communicate with other members of the caregiving team?
- What are your policies regarding sick days and vacation days?
“It’s very important to find out ahead of time what’s going to be expected of you in a job.”
— Carol Gleason, certified nursing assistant
Questions caregivers should ask about the client’s health and needs:
- Can the client feed themselves?
- Will the client need help bathing?
- Who do I call if the client is injured or has fallen?
- Will I be expected to give the client medication or just med reminders? “We only do med reminders at Comfort Keepers,” says Jekels. Not all senior caregivers are med-certified, but those who are can dispense or administer meds.
- Will I be expected to lift the patient, and if so, how much does the client weigh?
- Will I need to use a Hoyer lift?
- Will the patient’s family members be present while I’m working?
Questions caregivers should ask about the home:
- Are there pets?
- Will I need to clean the house or change bed linens?
- Will I be expected to prepare meals? Are there any dietary restrictions?
- Will I be required to shop for groceries or pick up prescriptions?
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Questions caregivers should ask about compensation:
- What is the wage and what are the benefits for this position?
- Will you be issuing a W-2?
- How often will I be paid?
By ensuring that these crucial questions are answered before you accept a position, you can preempt misunderstanding and enjoy smoother sailing in your position down the road.
