Care Workers

What is a care worker?

A care worker provides support to individuals living with a disability, functional limitation, chronic illness, or loss of autonomy as part of their employment.

Care workers can be employed in a variety of settings across Nunavik, including Elders' Homes, community organizations, and local health centres. Through the Home Autonomy Allowance Program, care workers may also be hired directly by a person who requires support in their home.

Like caregivers, care workers play an important role in helping people maintain their independence, quality of life, and connection to their community.

What’s the difference between a caregiver and a care worker?

Many of the qualities that make a good caregiver also make a good care worker: compassion, patience, reliability, and a desire to help others.

Some care workers in Nunavik have formal training, while others bring valuable life experience and practical skills to their role. In both cases, their work often reflects a genuine commitment to supporting others.

The main difference is that a caregiver provides support because of a personal relationship with the individual, while a care worker provides support as part of paid employment. In Nunavik, however, these roles may sometimes overlap. A care worker may already know the person they support through family ties, friendship, or community connections.

The contributions of both caregivers and care workers are essential to Nunavik families, communities, and the health and social services system.

The various types of Care Work available in Nunavik:

1. Care workers employed by community organizations

Some community organizations offer paid care workers positions. Examples include Ayagutaq Elders Home in Inukjuak and Qilangnguanaaq Centre in Kangiqsujuaq.

2. Care workers for the health centres

Northern attendants work in Elders' Homes operated by the health centres and provide daily support to residents. Family Helpers (UTHC) and Family Social Aids (IHC) work alongside home care teams to support individuals living with a loss of autonomy in their homes.

Their responsibilities may include:

  • Personal hygiene and bathing assistance
  • Toileting assistance
  • Meal preparation and feeding support
  • Dressing and changing clothes
  • Mobility assistance
  • Housekeeping and laundry
3. Casual care workers for the home autonomy allowance program

Another opportunity to work as a care worker in Nunavik is through the Home Autonomy Allowance Program. Under this program, care workers are hired directly by the individual receiving services, or by a designated representative acting on their behalf.

Care workers may support a family member, a neighbour, a friend, or someone they did not previously know, provided both parties agree to the employment contract.

Interested in working as a care worker in your community?

If you are a reliable and caring person with skills in housekeeping, cooking, personal support or assisting others, your community needs you.

Through the Home Autonomy Allowance Program, care workers help Elders and individuals living with functional limitations remain safely at home and connected to their community.

Submit your interest through our online form.

Benefits of becoming a casual care worker:

  • Earn $30 per hour
  • Flexible schedules, including days, evenings and weekends
  • Variable work hours based on your availability
  • Meaningful work that directly supports community members
  • An opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the life of someone

Contact 

Email: Access.specialcareprograms.nunavik@ssss.gouv.qc.ca 
Facebook: Nunavik – Access Point for Special Care Programs