Compassion and Empathy
These are the primary and most basic attributes that you need to work with people in the Health and Social Care Sector. The ability to put yourself in another’s shoes and understand what they might be experiencing.
Communication
The ability to understand not just verbal communication but body language, gestures and expressions. People may communicate that they aren’t having the best day by skipping lunch, a good carer would be able to identify this.
Reliability
Possibly another of the most important attributes, is someone who is reliable and dependable. Some clients will experience lots of change in their living situation, illnesses and challenges, friends and families, so someone who is dependable will provide comfort and a feeling of control which supports the client to feel safe and secure.
Diversity
As the subject of our work is people, and those people are complex and unique in their lives and experiences, a care team should reflect this to meet and exceed their needs. Some clients might like to have a carer who understands their culture and background, but some may prefer a carer who the client can share their experiences and knowledge about it with.
Strong Moral Compass
I’m drawn to a quote from JK Rowling whenever I think of this attribute, “The choice between doing what is right, and what is easy”. In care there will be times where it would be easy to give the benefit of the doubt, to think someone else will do it or that someone more experienced will decide something. No matter how much or how little experience someone has in the sector, instinct derived from compassion and caring is so important in taking positive action.
A carer should champion the individual to ensure they get the care, support or treatment they need, that takes courage sometimes and is driven by a really clear understanding of what is right, and what is easy.
Transferable skills by Job Role
Providing a person has some of the basic skills and attributes that we look for, with the right training, mentoring and support almost any job role can have transferrable skills. A kind, caring and dependable person can learn how to take on the role of a carer, but kindness, care and reliability can’t be taught. Here are some examples:
|
Job Roles |
Application in Care |
|
Artist |
Creative solutions to problems the client might face. Could help a client who struggles to express their feelings by introducing other ways to do this. |
|
Shop Assistant |
Regularly working with people, answering their questions. May be good at maths after dealing with money – helpful when accounting medicines. Good at solving their customers’ problems. |
|
Postal Worker |
May favour being outdoors, may have used sorting equipment in their role – helpful for clients who need help moving with equipment. Friendly and personable, able to build a good rapport. |
|
Call Centre Staff |
Able to understand an individual’s needs through questions and discussion over the phone – useful when supporting colleagues who may have concerns about the client they are with or be able to help a client to access health care. |
|
Cleaner |
Good attention to detail and an understanding of infection control. Great time management skills, able to manage multiple tasks at once. |
In the end, what you get out of a role in care is not just financial benefit, but feeling the personal reward of having been able to help people get through their day and contribute to society in a really positive way, sometimes just one person at a time. The joy of hearing the stories of someone’s life for the first time, in helping someone overcome an anxiety or challenge, of building a string relationship with someone, it is these things that make me so passionate about care.
Do you have some of these attributes?
Get in touch today!
Its care, but not as you know it… City Care
