The following is a guest blog post from The Good Care Group in London, England.
5 Skills You Need To Get Hired As A Live-In Carer
There is no better option than a career in Live-In Care if you have a natural passion for helping others. As a Live-In Carer, you can experience an unmatched level of professional fulfillment and job satisfaction, providing support at a personalised and sustained level – a quality of care which is sometimes difficult to deliver in a care home or hourly care setting. By choosing a Live-In Care job, you will be making a difference in the lives of a person at a time when they need companionship and support the most.
Live-In Care does present its own unique challenges and requires a select set of characteristics to prepare a person for the responsibility of around-the-clock care in a home environment. Find out whether you possess these top qualities needed to become a successful Live-In Carer.
- Professional Or Personal Care Experience
Having previous experience in Live-In Care is extremely valuable. Unlike other care provisions, carers will typically work alone during a placement. This means there is often little opportunity for shadow learning. Although all Live-In Carers will receive extensive training before being placed with a client, a good understanding of the fundamentals, such as manual handling, medication management, and current care delivery techniques, will provide a great platform from which further knowledge and Live-In Care specific skills can be built.
Your knowledge of care can be acquired from both professional experiences developed through a work environment or from personal experience caring for a loved one or friend. In a job interview, be sure to highlight any specialist training and qualifications you may have had with complex conditions such as dementia, as these skills demonstrate that you are proficient dealing with clients with more complex needs and can be given greater responsibility.
- Availability & Flexibility
A Live-In Carer’s reliability and dependability are a major factor for potential employers. On the whole, care professionals typically work unusual hours, as a client’s needs do not stop when business hours end. This is especially true for Live-In Carers. A predetermined rotation pattern will be worked out before your placement begins. A typical pattern will often have you working consistently for, say, 2 weeks on before taking a 2-week break, but sometimes the rotation can be longer, such as 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off. They vary and there are many options to suit your lifestyle. When you are on duty you will work an average number of hours each day, with a 2 hour break during your shift.
During your off periods, you will also be asked to vacate the property. In order to provide consistent and familiar care, a great deal of availability and flexibility is required, including arranging accommodation during your days off. Before entering a Live-In Care job you should consider whether your lifestyle is suitable and if you are able to commit to the rotation patterns.
- Listening & Communication
A unique aspect of Live-In Care is the ability to provide companionship alongside needs-related support. The combination of these two factors can have amazing effects on a person’s well-being and happiness. Listening to and acknowledging your client’s opinions and wishes as well as respecting the client’s choices are key for building a trusting and enjoyable relationship. A good Live-In Carer will understand how to engage and respond to the person receiving care, showing interest and understanding whilst also maintaining a productive care routine throughout the day.
Carers may also be asked to accompany a client to doctor and hospital appointments. Having the ability to listen carefully and clearly communicate instructions from appointments will be a large part of your job as a carer; therefore, you are often required to have excellent English speaking and writing skills.
- Organisation & Planning
A Live-In Carer will become responsible for certain aspects of their client’s home. This can include anything from the preparation of nutritional meals to completing household chores. Ensuring the home environment is clean, safe and comfortable is as equally part of a Live-In Carer’s role as delivering the care plan.
Live-In Care gives clients the ability to remain independent in their homes. Therefore, you may be asked for assistance with simple administrative tasks such as paying bills, posting letters, or helping your client attend classes and activities in the community. In order to keep the household running smoothly, tasks will need to be overseen with prior preparation, scheduling, and planning.
- A Caring Nature
There’s no denying that care in any form is difficult, as it requires you to put another’s needs and considerations before your own. There are particular personality traits believed to indicate whether a person will adapt well to the responsibility and challenges of working as a Live-In Carer.
These characteristics include:
- Patience – Having the ability to calmly and coolly handle situations that arise during care without becoming frustrated
- Empathy and understanding – Recognising and demonstrating compassion for your client and their loved ones, always putting yourself in their shoes
- Sensitivity – As a Live-In Carer, you must be in tune with your client’s wellbeing, and have the ability to provide care with dignity in all situations.
- Supportiveness – A Live-In Carer’s role is to aid the client in continuing his or her independence at home, assisting with your client’s wishes and choices.
- Responsibility and Resilience – A good Live-In Carer will be able to deliver the care plan in a professional manner and show resilience and creativity when the care doesn’t always go to plan!
As a growing number of people choose to stay at home whilst receiving care, the need for fantastic Live-In Carers is at an all-time high. As a Live-In Carer, you will be offered many opportunities to develop yourself as you improve the service you provide, as you continue to discover new aspects of your client’s personality and preferences. In addition, you will profit yourself as you build a bond which is valued by both you and the person you deliver care to. With excellent support, extensive training and generous benefits, a career in Live-In Care can greatly benefit both you and the person you care for.
The Good Care Group is a live-in care provider rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. We provide 24/7 support, attractive care employment packages and a full range of benefits. Find out more about Live-In Care jobs with The Good Care Group by visiting https://www.thegoodcaregroup.com/live-in-care-jobs/ or contact us at +44 3331 308 578.
