FINAL DRAFT ~ 1/28/09
HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF, ADVERTISE AND HIRE
A PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT (PCA)
What qualities should I look for in a Personal Care Assistant (PCA)?
You are bringing an individual into your home to assist you with your activities of daily
living (ADLs) which can be very personal. You want to find someone who:
 Is composed, caring, conscientious, and compassionate
 Is punctual
 Is dependable and reliable. If you live alone, the applicant needs to understand that
you rely on him/her to show up as scheduled
 Is honest, trustworthy, and can maintain confidentiality
 Has a clean and professional appearance and displays good hygiene (e.g., washing
hands)
 Can communicate effectively with you (e.g., can read, write and speak your language)
 Can cook and clean
 Can lift or maneuver X pounds easily
How do I hire a PCA?

Decide whether you will use some type of employment application.

Select a way to advertise to reach PCAs. Examples include:
 Craigslist at: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/. Go to “Gigs, Domestic,” then
post your ad
 Your local newspaper
 Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
 Area Agencies on Aging
 Your local faith-based organization or church
 Post a notice at a local college, hospital or local department of social services
 Ask your friends and nurses to help you locate a PCA
 Consider hiring individuals with a disability, as they might best understand some
of the issues with which you require assistance

Write an ad that markets yourself and explains your needs (briefly), expectations, and
hours of need, and fun things you enjoy. (See addendum for examples). Your ad
could require that applicants have all of the qualities discussed above. The applicant
should also possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. A criminal
background check is required, and a tuberculosis (TB) test or proof of freedom from
communicable diseases may also be required.

Prepare notes for your interview. Set a time to interview, and note if the applicant is
on time, dressed nicely or professionally, whether they have short fingernails so not
1
FINAL DRAFT ~ 1/28/09
to scratch you, is courteous and respectful, and whether the applicant acts interested
by asking you questions about the job.

In the interview, you will be deciding whether to hire someone to do a job(s), so be
sure to:
 Be business-like with your requests and expectations.
 Completely and clearly discuss your expectations (i.e., what exactly the job is,
what you expect of them as an employer, what they need to do for you each time
they are with you).
 Explain how the applicant would be paid and at what rate.
 Discuss insurance benefits. You may want to mention that healthcare benefits are
now available through membership in the Virginia Association of Personal Care
Assistants (VAPCA). For those interested in VAPCA benefits, dues can be taken
from your pay by your Fiscal Agent, Public Partnerships Limited (PPL), and you
can also receive direct deposit on payroll. Also note that VAPCA members are
another source to find PCAs wanting more work. You can get more information
about VAPCA at: PMB 172; 7109 Staples Mill Road; Richmond, VA 23228; 1800-893-8343.
 You may want to consider having a confidentiality statement for the applicant to
sign.
 Discuss where the applicant lives unless you are providing live-in arrangements.
(PCAs who live a distance away may stay at home on a wintry day/evening rather
than come to work.) Plan for any emergency event.
 Make it clear what you want the applicant to do if he or she cannot come to work
for any reason (sickness, inclement weather, etc.) Discuss and record how much
advance notice you need in order to find a substitute (e.g., PCA will give
employer X hours notice if they will not be at work).
 Let the applicant know that sometimes they may not be needed, and let them
know how much notice you will give them if they will not be needed.

Request references from past employers for whom the applicant did similar work or
ask if they are willing to learn the job. A minimum of two references is suggested.
Set a fair timeline for them to learn the job and for work evaluations.

Remember that you (the individual) are the “employer” and the PCA is the
“employee.” In other words, you do your own hiring, firing, and supervision of your
PCA.
How do I decide who to hire?
Ideally, you will interview several applicants before making a decision on whom to hire
to be your PCA. If possible (but not always), you do not want to make a decision during
the interview itself, but rather think about your choices following the interviews. You
will want to choose the person who best meets your qualifications. It is also important to
choose someone with whom you think you can best get along.
2
FINAL DRAFT ~ 1/28/09
How can I plan ahead for my PCA not showing up?
You should find one or several back-up PCAs to fill in if your regularly scheduled PCA
is unable to come to work. This is a requirement if Medicaid is funding your PCA
services. A back-up PCA is someone who will come to your home and assist you in such
an emergency.
Where do I find back-up PCAs?
It is best to identify and speak with several individuals about being a back-up PCA as
soon as possible. You may have a family member, neighbor or friend who will agree to
be your back-up PCA. You should also look for back-up PCAs through the same
channels as locating a regular PCA. Back-up PCAs can be paid like regular PCAs
through your Consumer-Directed Waiver, and you will need to register your back-up
PCAs in advance so they will be paid when you need them.
How important are back-up PCAs?
If you absolutely rely on your PCA to assist you with vital ADLs, back-up PCAs are
critical. If you have friends or family who will substitute for your regular PCA,
another back-up PCA may not be necessary. If you are using Medicaid-funded
personal assistance services, there may be additional restrictions on family members
as back-up PCAs, so check with your Services Facilitator.
What if I cannot find a Back-Up PCA?
Call 211 and tell them your Zip Code. They may be able to help.
If I still cannot find a Back-Up PCA?
Call 911-- but only in a life-threatening emergency.
Some Useful Tips

Write up a contract between you and your new PCA that lists the tasks expected and
the wages to be received. Also include some language about what to do if the PCA is
unable to work. Be prepared to go through several PCAs before you find a
dependable person(s). Note that PPL, the Medicaid Waivers Consumer Direction
fiscal agent, requires a contract between the employer (that’s you) and the employee
(that’s your PCA).

Print a daily/weekly Task List or Check List for even the most routine jobs. It will be
helpful to make up a weekly or monthly schedule of who works and when. For
example, if you want your PCA to wash their hands regularly and recycle empty
plastic bottles, it is helpful to tell them from the beginning.
3
FINAL DRAFT ~ 1/28/09
Sample Task Chart and Checklist -- Personalize Your Own
Wash hands regularly
Cook and prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack(s)
Assist with buying food
Run reasonable errands during work hours
Wash dishes
Toileting tasks
Bathing assistance
Dressing assistance
Set up assistive technology (remote controls, viewing machines, bed motors, charge
wheelchair)
Empty trash
Recycle bottles, jars, newspapers
Record hours on timesheet
Check stove, air conditioning and heat settings
Ensure that Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) or other Emergency Call
System turned on
Turn off lights when leaving
Lock doors and windows
Check that door locks behind you
ADDENDUM: Sample Ads

Keep the initial ad simple and tell a responder the requirements during the initial
phone call. Example:
Wanted: Personal Care Assistant for weekday early morning hours to assist
gentleman in Midlothian with daily care. Will train. Persons with disabilities
encouraged to apply. Good salary. Call @ xxx-xxx-xxxx or email: xxx@Yahoo.com

Here is a more detailed ad like you would put on craigslist:
Personal Care Aide/CNA – Full-Time (FT) (Richmond, VA). Looking for a FT week
day caregiver/CNA/aide for a fun loving busy male quad. Hours are 6:30am 3:30pm. You must drive. Duties include cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing,
feeding, or all skills for quadriplegic. No heavy lifting. Must speak, write and
understand English and be legal. No drunks, drugs or playing on computers or cell
phones. Must pass criminal background check. Flexibility to travel some is
necessary, along with a clean driving record. Easy and fun job for the right person.
If interested, tell me of your experience. I will train anyone willing to learn. Please
leave your phone number with a brief description of yourself and your work history
and why you feel qualified for this long term position when you respond to this ad.
Thank you.
4
FINAL DRAFT ~ 1/28/09
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
There is a good toolkit for families looking for quality direct support professionals at
http://www.ildspinitiative.com/.
Boston University’s Cash and Counseling site has a lot of information at
www.cashandcounseling.org.
Indeed/Caregivers Job Forum at http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/caregiver.html
Go Nannies at http://www.gonannies.com has a large following with caregivers all over
the country. They charge for registering. They have a service for background checks,
driver’s license verification, etc. Packages are also available. Click on LEARN MORE or
JOIN buttons to find more information.
There is a wide range of helpful information about community supports and services on
Virginia Easy Access at www.easyaccess.virginia.gov.
Here are several other resources which you might find helpful:
www.caregiversneeded.com.
http://www.seniornavigator.com/vaprovider/consumer/snConsumerHome.do
http://www.varoadmap.com/
Craigslist is an excellent resource for hiring PCAs and you can post near any major city
near you or post in the DC area for maximum exposure.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/
5