Are you thinking about starting a career in the care industry?
Then it’s important that you consider a few vital elements before you click apply.
The harsh reality is that caring for a patient isn’t always easy.
First, there are the long, unforgiving hours, and then there are all the pressures of looking after others on a daily basis.
Yet, despite these truths, care jobs are among the most important and valuable ones going in the UK today.
It’ll give you a sense of worth and real purpose knowing that you’re making a big difference to someone else’s life for the better.
So whether you like the sound of giving something back to the elderly, providing an integral service to children or supporting mental health patients, there are certain qualities and skills required to be considered for a role in this industry.
Here’s a quick list that may help may make your decision a little bit easier.
Strong minded
There’s no doubt that you need a certain kind of resilience in care jobs. Patients can be particularly difficult, impatient or sometimes ungrateful.
In fact, according to Carers UK, 72% of carers (both home and work) have said they had suffered mental ill health as a result of caring.
That’s why you need a strong mind to help you remain positive and focused on the job in-hand.
If you maintain these qualities, you’ll undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the industry.
Patience
As well as possessing thick skin, you must always remain patient in every situation.
Sometimes patients may not be able to do things as fast or will need longer to understand your instructions.
Just remember that they aren’t doing it on purpose, they simply need a calm presence to help them complete a task.
If you don’t offer this, then a patient may get upset or start to make your job even harder by refusing to do something.
This is a trait which is hard to teach.
A happy way
Smiling at someone is arguably one of the best remedies. It has the power to make any day that little bit nicer and help settle any anxieties.
Ideally, a carer needs to have a happy demeanour which radiates.
So if you’re friendly and personable, this could allow a patient to be more open, forward and manageable on a daily basis.
Multi-tasking abilities
If you can’t juggle more than one task, you may find yourself rather overwhelmed in some carer jobs.
Although you’ll probably work alongside a larger team, there’s still a high probability that you’ll have to fulfil various tasks all at once.
You need to manage your time effectively and remain patient even when you’re trying to do a million things.
With this in mind, it’s always worth wearing comfortable footwear to help you dash around with ease!
Think quickly
Similar to the last point, to be a carer, you must be able to think on your feet to effectively multi-task.
A lot of patients’ requirements differ by the hour, so you need to have the ability to not only think, but to act quickly as well.
Punctuality
Unlike other jobs, flexible hours isn’t an option.
Those who receive care usually plan their day around your visit, meaning if you’re late, you’ll upset them or cause further issues.
You should live by the clock and always be there to ensure you complete every task required for your patient.
Always listen
While providing a quality service is of paramount importance, you shouldn’t abandon your personable skills.
Think of it like a retail job where you’re required to sell the goods and make sure that your customer goes away completely satisfied with the service that you’ve given.
The same principle applies to the care industry too. Always listen to what they have to say and don’t be afraid to take a minute or two to converse.
Showing interest in their stories and general life will make a patient feel worthwhile.
Kindness and willingness
As a carer, no job should be too far for your abilities. Be kind and go the extra mile.
Whether that’s using some of your own time to find the patient’s favourite snacks or provide further services to make sure that they’re comfortable at all times, a kind action goes a long way in this industry.
Take responsibility
There’s a lot of pressure on carers, so having that strong mind and no-nonsense attitude should help you make executive decisions as well.
Be willing to accept any mistakes and never blame others when something goes wrong.
This quality will stand you in good stead for future roles as well.
Ultimately, you’re responsible for someone else’s life, therefore own it and make informed decisions based on logic.
Final thoughts
All-in-all, a good carer requires a resilient nature and kind soul.
It’s not always easy to complete every task, but having these particular qualities and skills will certainly make it both rewarding and achievable.
If you think you’ve got what it takes to work in the care industry, register your interest for temporary roles here.
Good luck!
