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SRC nursing assistant course - an opportunity for family caregivers

The Swiss Red Cross care assistant course passes on a wealth of knowledge from over 60 years of experience to its participants. Family carers in particular can learn many tips and tricks for dealing with their sick loved ones. It can even lead to a career in care. Those who complete the course receive a certificate that is recognised throughout Switzerland. In addition, the prospects on the labour market are enormous - there is a shortage of care assistants everywhere.

Referent steht vor einer Klasse bestehend aus unterschiedlich alten Menschen

Added value for family caregivers

Family caregivers have chosen to support their partners, children or parents with care and support during exceptionally difficult times. This requires a great deal of empathy, as they are together with their elderly, disabled or chronically ill relatives around the clock. Critical situations often arise gradually and without being aware of their consequences, you are involved in 24-hour care. This can quickly push you to your limits, as caring relatives usually do not have the appropriate qualifications. When a patient's condition deteriorates, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of making the right decisions. The SRC care assistant course helps them to be more confident in dealing with patients and to better assess in which situations they can still act themselves and when family carers are dependent on the help of others.
Additional cooperation with a Spitex organization also has advantages and helps to combat the feeling of increasing loneliness. The qualified nursing staff can clarify the state of health of the person concerned and coordinate all measures. This gives you more confidence in your own work, you don't feel left alone and you also create a window for relaxation.

Course structure

The course is divided into 2 modules and a practical assignment and consists of a theoretical part of 120 hours and an accompanied practical assignment of 12-15 days.

Module 1

Deals with the activities of daily living and imparts practical knowledge in relation to the organization of cooperation and communication. The basics of care and support are learned. At the same time, you develop your own role as an SRC care assistant.

Module 2

In this module, you will apply the basics you have learned and deal intensively with the phase of life of old age and corresponding clinical pictures, such as confusion and dementia.

Practical application

In order to apply what they have learned, participants spend 12 to 15 days in the field. This is where the skills they have learned are applied and deepened and experience is gained in day-to-day care.

Prerequisites

  1. Minimum age 18 years

  2. Understanding of texts and language of the respective region

  3. For foreign speakers: language certificate level B1

  4. Ability to work in a team

  5. Physical and mental health

Costs

The costs are between CHF 2000 and 3000, depending on the SRC cantonal association.

Areas of work

SRC care assistants usually work in long-term care. They work in retirement and care centers, institutions for people with disabilities and retirement homes. They can also work in private households and in the Spitex sector. Family caregivers can apply the knowledge they have acquired on a daily basis in their own environment.

Opportunities for the future

If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that more and more people will need care in the future and the need for staff will increase steadily. SRC care assistants are indispensable for the care of people in need.
In future, it may also be even more worthwhile for family caregivers to complete the SRC course. They can then be employed by Spitex to care for their relatives and thus receive a carer's wage . Spitex will also contribute to the costs of training to become an SRC care assistant.