Why You Should Consider a Caregiving Career
With the Baby Boomer generation continuing to age into retirement, the world of caregiving, especially at-home services, is on the rise. There are many reasons to consider a career in caregiving, but some of the top benefits include meaningful work, schedule flexibility, connecting with others, and growth opportunities.
If you’re looking for meaningful work
Many people turn to caregiving as a career choice because of how rewarding the job is for caring for others. Unlike many jobs where you don’t see how your work impacts the company or clients, caregiving gives you instant gratification. You see how your assistance affects the life of your clients. Indeed, helping others can significantly impact your mood, so you’ll likely feel good about what you spent your workday completing even after a challenging shift. And seeing how much you’re appreciated makes going to work that much easier.
If you want flexibility in your schedule
Aside from work involved with caregiving, having the ability to manage your schedule is one of the highlights of your career. At Visiting Angels, we want our careers working shifts that fit best into their lifestyle. You give us your available times, and we’ll assign you clients who need assistance during that shift. If you need to be home during the day to care for your children or have college classes at night, we make sure you have the flexibility you need to balance your personal and work life.
If you enjoy connecting with others
Caregiving requires one-on-one interactions with clients and their families. You’re responsible for helping them live safely at home, and part of providing quality care is ensuring your client feels comfortable. If you’re a caregiver, you have to feel comfortable making small talk and communicating complex or sensitive information. You also need to show compassion, kindness, and respect to build trust among your clients.
Building connections with clients is lovely, but you also want to build relationships with clients’ families. It’s essential for families and friends to feel secure in their decision to hire at-home care. Often when a family starts at-home care, there are apprehensions and fears about leaving their loved ones home with a stranger. You need to present yourself professionally and show that you have the qualifications necessary to provide the highest quality of care.
If you’re seeking professional growth opportunities
Caregiving is a position that you enter without prior caregiving experience. It’s perfect for people transitioning into healthcare careers, students seeking a part-time job, or adults who enjoy working with others. For some people, providing companionship and personal care services is fulfilling as a job, and they choose to remain a caregiver in that capacity. However, caregiving is an excellent stepping stone for professional advancement.
Even if you choose to grow as a caregiver, there are many training opportunities to grow or specialize your skills. Some caregivers specialize in dementia care or chronic pain. Others attend workshops to learn more vital communication skills or tips for working more effectively. Some caregivers choose to pivot and earn certifications as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) to provide additional services to clients under the supervision of a registered nurse. Some individuals use caregiving to introduce healthcare as they attend school to work as nurses or other medical professionals.
Are you ready to start your journey as a professional caregiver? Visiting Angels Prescott hires part-time and full-time caregivers to join our team and serve clients in Prescott and Verde Valley. If you’d like to learn more about career opportunities with Visiting Angels, you can complete an online application or call us at 928.220.4100.