5 Skills That’ll Get You Hired Fast as a Caretaker

Whether you’re an aspiring caretaker or already working as one, you’ll need to possess certain skills to ensure you’re able to truly make a positive difference in your charged one’s life.

To start your career as a carer, it’s vital to know what duties and responsibilities such a role entails. A caretaker works in their client’s residence and looks after daily life tasks such as bathing, doing laundry, administering and monitoring medicine, cooking, feeding, cleaning and such. Usually partnered with a nurse or a doctor, caretakers tend to be hired by the patient’s family and can be either part-time or live-in.

Here are five broad skills required to be a champion caretaker:

Empathy

Often the individuals you’ll work with as a carer may suffer from a physical or mental ailment. Showing your client compassion and true kindness will go a long way in making your customer happy and content with your services. This quality will not only make you a successful caretaker but will shape your own personal outlook on the world as well – you’ll be grateful for your health and what you have.

Observation

Sometimes, your patient may not be able to express their sentiments about their health or about daily activities such as food. After you’ve spent some time with them, you’ll come to recognise and understand their non-verbal cues. Keep a vigilant eye open during your working hours and see if there is any change in their conditions.

Communication

It is essential that you be a master of verbal and written communication. This will help you in your discussions with your charge’s family and loved ones. Part of your job will mean giving them updates and conferring about care treatments and such – they will want to be kept in the loop. Also, depending on your client’s condition, you may have to interact with medical professionals such as doctors, physicians, nurses and such.

Time Management

You’ll have to be a superhero in maintaining your own and your patient’s schedule. Ensuring that they eat properly, take their medicine regularly and make it to appointments on time will be part of your responsibility. Make a list of your tasks and plan your week in advance. Set up reminders on your mobile to ensure that nothing is missed – or better yet, set up your calendar digitally to receive automatic notifications – hence, nothing will ever be missed nor out of place!

Physical Strength

As a caretaker, you’ll give your client a bath and may have to lift them on your own to take them to the bathroom or washing room. Of course, this is dependent on their condition. Not only that, you’ll be doing their cleaning, vacuuming, going grocery shopping and spending lots of time on your feet! Remember to wear a comfy pair of shoes!

You’ll love being a carer! If you’re excited to hunt for your next caretaker job, download the JOB TODAY app now and sign up!