The following are seven characteristics to look for when you’re hiring caregivers:
Passion for the Job
Caregiving can be a very stressful and demanding job with many challenges, but with some dividends also, like the overwhelming feeling that you have made someone happy. Those who excel at it view the job as a calling to care for people rather than just a way to get a pay cheque. Hiring caregivers who want to help the clients and make their lives easier by looking for better ways to perform their jobs will improve and expand the name of your company.
Empathy
A quality caregiver has a connection with clients, that feeling of trust and restfulness surrounds them. They can understand what the client’s needs are and are flexible with their interaction with them. Empathizing while not patronizing with the client will make a good caregiver and allow the client to feel relaxed and give way for them to provide help and ease their concerns, fears, or discomfort.
Honesty and Reliability
Caregivers love their work and would show up on time and be able to be trusted in clients’ homes and with their well-being. They should never accept gifts from clients and should be beyond reproach since they have access to patients’ homes, resources, and belongings. Both the client and their family should be able to have complete faith in the reliability and trustworthiness of the support staff.
Patience
Sometimes the clients may have trouble communicating or have physical or mental ailments that can sometimes make providing care more challenging. Hiring caregivers and support workers who are patient while communicating with the clients and their families is important. They should also remain calm and cheerful in the face of angry, frustrated clients or stressful situations such as an unexpected change in the routine.
Good Social Skills
Communication is an important part of a caregiver’s job and part of general social skills. They should be able to establish a good rapport with clients and their families, making them feel at ease by interacting and informing constantly of what is going on. Clients and families should also be able to communicate freely any concerns and receive clear answers that is not hostile or defensive. Support workers should be especially careful while working with clients who may be somewhat isolated from others and receive little or no visit from others, a kind word and conversation can be very important.
Initiative
Caregivers must be able to follow instructions from doctors, nurses, family and other health care providers but they should also be capable of taking their own initiative in response to different situations. Without direct on-site supervision from other medical professionals, they’ll need to be proactive and know what to do if a patient shows unexpected symptoms, like calling the emergency services and reassuring the client.
Physical Strength and Endurance
Caregivers need to be fit and able to assist their clients with manual handling tasks using the right equipment and perform other physical tasks, such as carrying groceries or vacuuming. They’ll need to have the physical strength as well as the endurance to handle the physical demands of the job.
Employing caregivers and support workers who possess these seven qualities will help your business grow and increase the level of care provided. They’re more likely to remain on the job for a good period and excel at what they do. As a result, they’ll be able to deliver superior patient care that reflects well on your company. However, be sure to highlight these qualities in in training, supervision and day – to – day consultations with your staff, and keep your company growing.