Career guide
Patient attendant (préposé aux bénéficiaires)
Préposés aux bénéficiaires (PABs, Quebec's name for health care aides) help patients and residents with daily living, comfort and mobility as part of the care team.
- StatusNot regulated
- TrainingVocational diploma, about a year
- Pay scaleNot stated in current postings
- Openings now1
A day in the job
In a CHSLD or hospital unit you help residents get up and dressed, assist at meals, help with toileting and moving safely, and tell the nurse about any change you notice. It is physical work and often the closest relationship anyone on the team has with a resident.
Where you could work: CHSLDs, hospitals, home care
How to get there
- Complete the vocational diploma (DEP) for personal assistance in facilities and at home
- The health network has run paid training programs for new préposés; check current openings
Quebec schools: Inforoute FPT: every college and vocational program in Quebec (opens in a new tab)
Licence and registration
- No licence is needed: préposés aux bénéficiaires are not a regulated profession
- Employers usually ask for the DEP or equivalent training, a background check and first-aid training
Official starting point: Avenir en santé: préposé aux bénéficiaires (opens in a new tab)
Trained outside Canada?
Préposé work does not need a professional licence, so it is a common first job for newcomers; most employers work in French.
Important: Requirements can change and may differ for internationally educated professionals. CareZelo links to official bodies but does not determine eligibility.