Caregiving course in Kenya: A full career guide

In this guide, we shall be talking about the caregiving course in Kenya…

We shall see what the course entails, its requirements, its marketability, expected salary, and ultimately, if you should do it.

Caregiving course in Kenya

Before we proceed, let me mention that this course is also known as the certified nursing assistant, patient attendant, or healthcare assistant – it depends on the institution.

So, what is caregiving all about?

The title says it all…

Caregiving is all about making life bearable (giving care) for people who are no longer independent – they cannot do things on their own.

Some of these people include:

• Aged people: They will require you to give them medicine, wash their rooms, bath them, help them get into bed, and so on.
• Sick people – mostly those with terminal illnesses or serious injuries.
• People living with disabilities.
• Younger people who have diseases that make them a bit limited in terms of things they can do on their own.

When studying a caregiving course, you’ll be taught how to take care of such people including how to administer first aid (in case they get an emergency).

How marketable is the caregiving course?

The marketability of the caregiving course depends on where you intend to work.

For instance, if you’re taking this course and you want to work in Kenya, it’s possible to land a job as a caregiver.

However, you might not make a lot of money.

Reason?

The opportunities for caregivers are not many in Kenya.

You see, Kenya is not yet a developed economy.

Subsequently, when we have people who need care in our homes, we tend to hire nannies to take care of them.

And when this is not possible, we share the responsibilities (of taking care of the sick person) amongst ourselves as relatives and friends.

Usually, the few caregiving opportunities come from the few hospices we have in the country.

As such, doing this course while targeting local jobs might not be a good choice.

If you ask me, the better option would be to study the course with the aim of going to work abroad.

This is because there are many opportunities in developed countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and Canada.

Actually, their market is so big that there have been concerns in some countries (such as the UK) where some government officials are worried that these countries are becoming overly dependent on foreign caregivers.

This is because these countries have many people who need care but the supply of caregivers does not meet their demand.

In short, the caregiving course is quite marketable but you’ll need to make arrangements to find work outside Kenya.

This brings us to our next question…

How easy is it to get a caregiving job outside Kenya?

When it comes to landing a caregiving job abroad, this is what I can tell you…

While it’s not impossible, getting a caregiving job outside Kenya is not that straightforward.

And here’s why:

1. The governments in these countries are very strict when it comes to immigration. As such, you cannot just wake up one day and decide since you have completed your course, you’re going to go work in the UK or US immediately.

No, it doesn’t work like that.

Instead, there are laws that govern how agencies in these countries can import labor. And, these laws are usually very strict.

The reason I say agencies is because the best (and easiest) way of getting these jobs is to apply to agencies that offer caregiving services in these countries.

2. To go through these agencies, you will need to pay facilitation fees… A few people who I know who have gone to some of these countries have ended coughing up 250,000-500,000 Kenyan shillings in facilitation fees.

Not forgetting that you need to cater for your fare and a few other essential expenses along the way.

Furthermore, at times, when you apply for these jobs, it can take you as long as 1½ years to finally secure a work visa to go work in some of these countries.

The good thing is that it’s possible and some people have actually gone to work abroad and they are making good money.

The best way to approach the caregiving course if you want to work abroad

As I had said earlier on, the best way to get a caregiving job abroad is to go through agencies.

Thanks to the power of the internet, you don’t have to only rely on agencies with offices in Kenya… You to apply for caregiving jobs online.

Just do a Google search for agencies offering caregiving jobs in the country of your choice such as Canada, Australia, Germany, and so on – there are so many of these agencies.

Next, go to their jobs/careers page and submit your application for any open positions you qualify for.

When filling your information, be sure to give a reliable email address since most communications will be done through email.

If the agency is satisfied with your qualifications, one of its members will get in touch with you for a virtual interview.

And, if you pass, you will be given a letter to take to the embassy when applying for a work visa.

In addition, the agencies will guide you through all the steps until you arrive in their country and report to your job.

 

Bearing that in mind, who is the course best for?

The course is best for people who have no problem with handling sick people.

In addition, to be a good caregiver, you need to have compassion, be calm, and be very patient because at times the person you’re helping might become a bit stubborn.

If this feels like you, then here’s what you need to qualify for the caregiving course:

Caregiving course entry requirements in Kenya

Most institutions and hospitals offering this course require you to have a minimum of D plain in your KCSE.

If you intend to work abroad, you will need to pass internationally recognized language tests.

For instance, if you intend to work in English-speaking countries such as the US, you might need to pass English tests such as TOEFL or IELTS®.

Similarly, if you intend to work in non-English speaking countries, they might require you to demonstrate you are good at speaking, reading, and writing in their languages such as German if you intend to work in Germany.

Fortunately, we have centers that offer these tests here in Kenya and they are internationally recognized.

Where you can learn the caregiving course in Kenya

Here at Kenya Online College, we are currently in talks with one of the big agencies that hire caregivers in a few countries.

Once we conclude with the agency, we will start teaching the caregiving course too.

In other words, our caregiving course will be internationally recognized and accredited.

This will make it easier for our students to land caregiving-related jobs both locally and abroad.

Once we complete these talks, we will be sure to update you on how you can apply for the course.

However, if you want to start the course immediately, you can check Gocare Training Institute.

In addition, there are a few hospitals that also offer this course.

Nonetheless, you need to be very careful when choosing the institution where you will be studying this course.

This is because not all caregiving courses (remember that some institutions refer to it as the certified nursing assistant) are recognized by employers especially abroad.

In fact, some countries such as the USA require you to have gone through a minimum of at least 100 practical hours before they allow you to work as a caregiver within their borders.

As such, if the institution offers the course online, you will need to follow up on whether it arranges for you to go for practicals in a medical facility.

In addition, you should inquire whether they have accreditations with agencies in foreign countries as this makes it easier to get jobs abroad.

Caregiving course fees/cost and duration

Most institutions charge between ksh. 40,000 and 120,000 for the full caregiving course.

This will cater for everything from tuition fees to practicals.

Note: The fees do not cater for accommodation or food.

As for how long the course takes, you will take 3 to 6 months to complete it depending on where you’re studying.

How much can you expect to earn as a caregiver?

Ultimately, this will depend on whether you get a job locally or abroad.

Locally, you can expect to make around ksh. 30,000 per month (or more depending on where you work).

On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to get a job abroad, you can make upwards of ksh. 300,000 a month.

For instance, one of my friends who recently went to work as a caregiver in the UK tells me he makes between ksh. 300,000 and 500,000 depending on the number of clients he attends to in a month.

The amount varies since patients join and drop out of the institution he’s working for every month.

Nevertheless, the rates tend to be higher in busier institutions or in some countries such as Australia and Canada.

As you can see, it means that even if you were to get a loan to cater for the expenses you’ll incur as you prepare to fly out, the course will still be worth it.

Parting shots on caregiving course in Kenya

Before choosing a learning institution, remember to confirm that it offers practical sessions and that its course is internationally accredited and recognized.

Finally, to get an update on our caregiving course, get in touch with our admissions office by calling/WhatsApping us on 0797 532 345.

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