Hire Carers
Carers are crucial in assisting patients on their recovery journey. Not only do they help patients in their daily activities, but they also provide much-needed emotional support.
Hiring a carer starts with a job description. It is the first point of communication between candidates and the hiring medical facility or institution. Create a job description that is clear, concise, and detailed. Are you looking for candidates who live in a specific area? What is the schedule? Is prior experience required? Outline the responsibilities and requirements clearly. Keep in mind, though, that the job description should be more than just a list of expectations. Highlight what you can offer the candidate which may include: a positive workplace culture, opportunities for growth, and other perks.
Additionally, be clear about the schedule, the number of hours, and location. Depending on the need, carers may work in hospitals, clinics, community centers, or in patients’ homes on a part-time or full-time basis.
Once you have written a compelling job description, posting your job announcement is the next step. Aside from general job boards, it is best for hiring managers to post job announcements on healthcare-specific job boards, online groups, and in community groups as well.
Carer Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a carer are guided by the patient’s care and treatment plans which are developed and approved by the patient’s healthcare team.
A carer is responsible for assisting a patient in their day-to-day activities such as: grooming, bathing, dressing, and mobility assistance from bed to chair or wheelchair. Also included are checking vital signs (respiration, pulse, temperature, and blood pressure) and administering prescribed medication as directed or advised by a nurse or healthcare professional. A carer can teach and assist a patient in proper self-care techniques and other general health independence guidance.
For the carer assigned to patients in a home setting, they also do general light housekeeping or cooking, as well as making transportation arrangements for patients when going to the doctor’s office or clinic for consultations. These responsibilities depend upon the needs of the patient.
Proper documentation and record maintenance are also essential so that the patient’s daily care plan, progress, and reactions are recorded. The information in the progress notes should be reported to a doctor or nurse. A carer is responsible for observing the patient and immediately reporting any concerning reaction or emergency.
Carer Skills and Qualifications
The ideal candidate for a carer position is a person who is compassionate, trustworthy, and professional with excellent personal and communication skills. Candidates must have a high school diploma or a GED. Ideally, they must also possess updated CPR and First Aid Training certificates.
Moreover, other qualifications include attention to detail, ability to follow instructions and standard protocols regarding patient care, and the ability to lift fifty pounds. As the schedule may vary from patient to patient, flexibility to work on evenings, weekends, and even holidays is a plus.
Each patient has unique, individual needs in the entire patient care process. Finding the right carer who will meet the needs of a patient will have a tremendous impact on the road to recovery and quality of life.
