Program Overview

Caregiving NC II is a technical-vocational program that trains students how to provide care and support to infants/toddlers, the elderly, patients with disabilities and special needs, as well as end of life care. The program provides an understanding of the different behaviors, disease process and other essential needs of patients.

Caregiving does not only teach you how to take care of patients, but also cleaning, preparing meals, changing soiled lines, bed making, bathing and grooming patients, laundry and ironing, medication reminders, assisting and escorting patients are also part of the things that you have to learn.

Students under the Caregiving NC II program are also oriented on different methods in maintaining a healthy and safe environment for their patients and how to respond during emergency situations.

The Caregiving NC II program is supervised and accredited by TESDA (a government agency that regulates vocational courses), and TESDA-accredited education institutions may offer this program. The Caregiving NC II program may also be incorporated in the BS in Nursing (BSN) program.

Course Structure

The course structure for Caregiving NC II is divided into the following modules:

• Basic Competencies (18 hours)
  • Participate in workplace communication
  • Work in a team environment
  • Practice career professionalism
  • Practice occupational health and safety procedure
• Common Competencies (18 hours)
  • Implementing and monitor infection control policies and procedures
  • Responding effectively to difficult/challenging behavior
  • Applying basic first aid
  • Maintaining high standards of patient services
• Core Competencies (750 hours)
  • Providing care and support to infants/toddlers
  • Providing care and support to children
  • Fostering social, intellectual, creative and emotional development of children
  • Fostering physical development of children
  • Providing care and support to elderly
  • Providing care and support to people with special needs
  • Maintaining healthy and safe environment
  • Responding to emergencies
  • Cleaning living room, dining room, bedrooms, toilet and bathroom
  • Washing and ironing clothes, linen and fabric

Lessons in the Caregiving NC II program are taught to students through classroom lectures, demonstrations and group discussions. Students are assessed and evaluated at the end of each module discussion through direct observation, simulations, practical demonstrations and oral and written exams.

Is Caregiving a profession?

Caregiving is not always considered a profession, however in the Philippines some institutions such as nursing homes and hospitals would require a TESDA certificate or similar degree from candidate employees.

The most common career for this program is working as a caregiver in different settings such as in private and nursing homes, hospitals and clinics. They may also work as hospital utility assigned in different wards such as in the Linen Department, Emergency Room, Dietary Department, Intensive Care Unit, Geriatric ward, etc.

Entry Requirements for Caregiving NC II

The basic requirements for trainees of Caregiving NC II as set by TESDA includes the following:

• Can communicate both in oral and written form
• Physically and mentally fit
• With good moral character
• Can perform basic mathematical computation

Schools and training centers offering the program may include additional requirements.

What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed as a Caregiver?

• Service Orientation – being comfortable with helping and serving other people
• Compassion – sympathy and compassion are very important so that you’ll be able to understand each patient and be able to provide them with the best care possible
• Comfortable in doing unpleasant tasks – part of your job as a caregiver is to take care of the elderly and patients with special needs. You may be asked to change diapers, remove soiled linens, clean and a lot more, so you should be able to withstand these kinds of tasks.
• Social Perceptiveness – being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do
• Basic oral and written English skills – especially if you plan on working abroad, English is very important for communicating with your patients.
• Endurance – the ability to withstand tiresome work such as taking care of patients all day, standing up and walking from one area to another, lifting objects and helping patients move while being in an uncomfortable environment.
• Patience – you may encounter irritable and demanding patients therefore they must be patient enough to deal with different types of people

How difficult is Caregiving NC II?

Generally speaking, the Caregiving NC II program is easy. The lessons are not difficult, and there are no complicated concepts that you have to learn or memorize. However, there are rigorous work activities that entails a lot of hard work, patience and endurance.

The challenge for most people is enduring and accepting the kind of tasks you are supposed to do; once you accept that and are willing to do it, you will not encounter any difficulties in completing this program.

How long does it take to complete the Caregiving NC II program in the Philippines?

The recommended duration of Caregiving NC II program according to TESDA regulations is 786 hours: 18 hours of Basic Competencies, 18 hours of Common Competencies and 700 hours of Core competencies. However the duration may be longer due to the OJT or the school's curriculum.

On the Job Training (OJT)

TESDA-accredited institutions may integrate an On the Job Training (OJT) in the Caregiving NC II program. You may be assigned in hospitals, clinics, nursing and caregiving homes, etc. You will be given caregiving tasks and be able to experience the actual work you are supposed to do once you graduate. The assigned authority will evaluate you periodically and submit an evaluation form to the assigned TVET trainer.

The required number of hours for OJT varies from one institution to another.

Assessment and Certification

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the regulating body for all vocational courses in the Philippines and is in-charge of the assessment and certification of the competencies of technical-vocational workers through the Philippine TVET Qualification and Certification System (PTQCS). The assessment process aims to determine whether the graduate will be able to perform according to workplace standards based on a defined competency standard. Certification is given to those who meet the competency standards.

The Assessment and Certification process is not required among graduates of vocational courses. Graduate trainees have the option whether to undergo the process or not. However, a TESDA certification will give a graduate an advantage since local and foreign companies who hire skilled workers may require this credential.

Graduates of Caregiving NC II are advised to take the Assessment and Certification Exam, National Certificate – Level II (NCII).

The National Certificate is only valid for five years, which means that it has to be renewed. The requirements and steps in applying for assessment and certification as well as the methods used for assessment are found in the TESDA website.

Career Opportunities for Caregiving NC II graduates

• Caregiver for Elderly Persons – lives and works in a patient's home to administer necessary care.
• Caregiver of People with Special Needs – lives and works in a patient's home to administer necessary care.
• Caregiver for Children
• Nursing Home Caregiver – employed in nursing homes, home for the aged and other related institutions to take care of patients of specific age groups
• Hospital Caregiver – works in different hospital wards as assistants to nurses and doctors
• Caregiver in a Private Clinic – employed in private clinics and health care institutions who cater to people with different medical needs
• Hospital Patient Care Aide – work as health care assistants specifically in a hospital setting. They work under the supervision of and take direction from staff nurses and doctors.
• Nurse Assistants/Nursing Aides – help patients get in and out of bed, bathe them, help them get dressed, and wash and brush their hair; they serve meals and help patients with eating

Career Opportunities Abroad

Caregivers are one of the most in demand workers in foreign countries. According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), there is an increasing demand for Filipino Caregivers abroad due to the aging population in many foreign countries. Countries like Japan, Israel, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) offer many job opportunities for Caregivers.

Many foreign countries prefer to hire Filipino Caregivers because of their English language proficiency which makes communication easier.

Salary Levels

The monthly salary of a Caregiver with a certificate degree in the Philippines is between P 6,000 – 12,000.

Salaries abroad are much higher, between 2–10 times higher than in the Philippines. One of the highest salaries is in Israel, where a foreign caregiver’s salary is at least P 70,000 per month.