Thinking about re-entering the care industry? We know that care work isn’t for everybody and not everybody who leaves the field will return.
But if you’re the kind of person who needs to feel that they’re making a difference every day, few careers will scratch that itch the way that being a Care Worker does.
Wondering if it’s still for you? Here is a checklist of common traits that most successful carers have and the top benefits of working in care.
Personal Qualities Needed to be a Carer
If you’re on the fence about whether or not being a Carer is still right for you, here is a list of the most common traits that lead to a long and satisfying career as a Care Worker.
If this sounds like you, getting back into the care industry might just be the satisfying career move you’re looking for!
If you haven’t fully decided just yet, here’s a refresher on what makes being a Carer special, and why it’s the right job for you.
1. Job Security
Most Care Workers get into the industry for the love of it and not the money. However, getting back into the care industry is also a very pragmatic career option where there will always be a demand for the right person.
The UK is facing an ageing population as well as healthcare skill shortages across the board. If you already have years of industry experience under your belt, getting back into the care industry means having a stable career where your skillset will always be needed.
2. Job Flexibility
This will depend on where you specialise, but many jobs in the care industry allow for flexible working options where workers are able to choose their hours based on their availability and preferences.
If you’re working in a residential care home, for example, care workers are often needed 24/7. With the right recruitment advice, you may be able to negotiate a role where you can choose your hours and even work part-time if that is your preference.
3. Meaningful Work
Care work is challenging, but for the right person, this is also what makes it a deeply meaningful and truly fulfilling profession. While it is possible to find purpose in almost any job, it’s often not the same as the vocation of care work.
If you’re somebody who needs to know that they’re making a difference in the world, big or small, then no career path will satisfy you in the same way that being a care worker can. Seeing the difference you make in a patient’s life (not to mention their family’s) is immediate and incredibly rewarding.
4. Improved Technology
With the NHS’s rollout of new technologies to support healthcare workers, there has never been a better time to get back into the care industry. Over the coming years, technology will be replacing some of the more frustrating tasks that have made healthcare jobs difficult in the past, allowing Healthcare Assistants and other care professionals to give better care to patients and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
This includes:
HCAs are now being trained in these technologies, which are already having an impact on reducing burnout rates and increasing the quality of care in environments where they’re being used. For instance, advancements in telehealth allow HCAs to cut down on inpatient visits and give care to most patients remotely, allowing them to give more of their time to patients who need it most.
Not great with technology? We get it. You’re a Care Worker, not an IT worker, but these technologies have been shown to improve Carer’s work conditions as well as patient care. A study on Social Care Workers who use these technologies revealed that 90% receive adequate training to do the job properly and 84% said that the technology allowed them to provide better care for their patients.
So, if you’re imagining having to figure out complicated new gizmos or have a dozen new passwords to remember instead of actually doing your job, remember that these technologies are designed to be simple to use and most Carers find them very useful.
5. Job Satisfaction
Given all of the above factors, it’s unsurprising that job satisfaction for care workers is much higher than the national average. A study found that the majority of care staff report that they are satisfied in their roles.
Here are some key findings:
Of course, this will vary depending on your specialisation, but it’s important to remember that things have been improving across the board with the implementation of new technologies. With more improvements being made all the time, we can expect job satisfaction for Care Workers in the UK to rise as the years go on.
Summary
If you’re the kind of person who can’t work in a job where they’re not making a difference, getting back into care work is the best way that you can find meaningful work that satisfies you. With improvements being made that will reduce your workload and allow you to give the best possible care, there’s never been a better time to get back into a career where you can truly make the world a better place.
What’s next? Why not reach out and get in touch with the friendly team at QS Care. As a leading healthcare recruitment agency, we can answer all of your questions on how to get back into the industry, as well as help you find a job placement to suits your needs.
