A Beginner’s Guide to Professional Caregiving

Interim HealthCare Blogs
Posted: 10/25/2021 8:00 AM by Interim HealthCare
We’re going to assume that if you’re reading this, you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a caregiver or are checking this out for someone else that you think might, or should, be interested in the profession. Either way – congratulations! You’re considering working in an exciting, growing, and personally fulfilling career field.

One of the main reasons so many caregivers see what they do as a calling, a career, but not a job, is that they become like family members to those they care for. You’ll spend enough time with some of your patients that you’ll become a friend and confidant to them, someone that they love to see walk through the door. You’ll see how they care for you too; very few careers offer this type of personal satisfaction.

Since this is a beginner’s guide, let’s start at square one and ask you an essential question,” Do you have the traits that every caregiver should have?” It’s a difficult question to answer if you aren’t sure what those traits are. Here are ten of the traits you need to succeed long-term as a professional caregiver:

 
  1. Patient
  2. Compassionate
  3. Attentive
  4. Dependable
  5. Trustworthy
  6. Personable
  7. Good communication
  8. Teachable
  9. Flexible
  10. Enthusiastic

If these traits describe who you are as a person, you’re an excellent candidate for a career in caregiving.
 

What Happens Next?


The next step is to find an agency that offers their caregivers everything they need to be successful. This agency should provide you with these non-negotiables:

 
  • A flexible schedule
  • Steady hours
  • Training and growth
  • Competitive pay

The agency you select should provide you with a complete job description, so you’ll know what’s going to be expected of you. Common tasks would include:

 
  • Personal care assistance (dressing, grooming, bathing)
  • General assistance
  • Meal prep and planning
  • Light housekeeping
  • Holding conversations
  • Companionship

Why Interim HealthCare?

 
Now that you know that you have the traits needed to succeed in the career, what the benefits an agency should offer you are, what you’ll be doing for a client, and have reached the conclusion that this may just be the career you’ve been looking for, it’s time to talk with the right agency.

There are a lot of agencies out there that are looking for someone just like you. You’re unique, and so are the people at Interim HealthCare of Grants Pass. We’re a locally owned business, not a detached branch of a faceless corporation, and we have a family culture where you’ll be valued and supported. 

Interim HealthCare is a leader in home care in Grants Pass. We’ll offer you rewarding work where you’ll make a difference in people’s lives every day, and you’ll be an important part of a booming, recession-proof industry.

Were you made for this? We think you were, and we want to visit with you about starting or continuing your professional caregiving career with us. Give us a call today at (541) 787-3140 and we’ll set up a time to visit with you, tell you more about us and the career, and talk with you about assignments that are available right now.

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