As a caregiver, there are a number of options when it comes to employment. You can choose to work for a company, working in a nursing home or retirement home or you can look for private caregiver jobs, where you work one on one with a patient, getting to know them and caring for their needs.
Many caregivers choose the private route, which enables them to build up a strong relationship with their patient, offering them a rewarding career moving forward. Due to the increased costs of assisted living, many families have chosen the in-home care route, which means that with the right credentials, finding a job in this sector of care may be easier than anticipated.
The best way to find private caregiver jobs is through word of mouth. Let other caregivers know that you are looking, get the word out. Often this is the most useful and successful way to find a position without delay, reaching the family before they start advertising.
You will also want to venture online and search for jobs being advertised. There are also a number of resource sites dedicated to private caregiver jobs, giving you the ability to upload your resume, update your credentials, build your portfolio and appeal to health care agencies looking for the right people to work with their clients moving forward.
It’s very important that you determine before you start your search whether you’re looking for a full time, part time or live in position. Bear in mind that some families will only need someone to care for their loved one for a couple of hours a day, some will require your services on a daily basis, keeping their loved one company while they are at work and then there are those that require round the clock supervision.
Whether you choose to live in or live out, flexibility is very important when it comes to private caregiver jobs. While you may be recruited to provide this service from first thing in the morning until late in the afternoon, there may be times when the family decides to go out and needs someone to stay overnight to care for the patient. Being willing and flexible can make a huge difference, ensuring that you remain in the position for the long term and help keep your patient under the best care for the future.
Experience will play a vital role when it comes to the types of private caregiver jobs you can apply for. Some patients will require basic care, such as cooking, cleaning, ensuring they take their medication and keeping them company, while others will require more detailed care which may include bathing, medical supervision, therapy and more. Ensure any private caregiver jobs you look at meet your area of expertise and that you have the qualifications to provide the patient with the highest level of care at all times.
There are a number of patients with various needs that are cared for at home by their families. This means that you need to decide what type of patient you want to work with, whether you’re looking for a full time or part time private caregiver job. Do you want to work with the elderly, do you want to work with younger patients with learning and physical disabilities or are you looking for a job where you can add value to a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s, for example.
There are so many reasons why families search for the perfect person to bring into their home, remember it’s as much your decision as it is theirs. Ensure you meet the patient and see how you get on with them and their family before making any final decisions. caregiver jobs toronto