It takes an incredibly dedicated person to become a care worker. Working in this industry is not for the faint-hearted. But those who work in this sector thrive on the challenges that they face.
They find fulfilment in helping people. And they take great pride in supporting their patients overcome their own challenges.
But to work in this sector, employers look for key personality traits. And some of these traits can't be learned.
And to help you identify these characteristics, the following list shows 10 key personality traits that every care worker should have:
1. Patience
This is absolutely crucial. To work as a care worker, you need to have patience. Whether you're working with either the elderly, individuals who have special needs or young people, you need to demonstrate patience.
You have to remember that the people that you're looking after may be a bit slower to move or will need more time to explain certain things. And these things need to be respected.
2. Cheerful
The people that you're looking after are relying you on a daily basis. But to help them feel at ease with the care that you provide, you need to build trust. The best way to do that is to be pleasant, caring and friendly.
You have to remember your patients are going through a difficult time and they're constantly facing their own challenges. So even if you share a smile with them, it can lift the mood of the people that you're caring for.
3. Multi-Task
Often as a carer, you will have to multi-task. Carers are expected to work alone or as part of a team. And sometimes, they will come across a situation where they will be over-stretched and overwhelmed by the multiple tasks that they'll have to do.
Brilliant carers rise to these scenarios and they put their multi-tasking skills to the test.
4. Thinking on Your Feet
The nature of care work involves encountering scenarios where things can change quickly, especially when you're caring for someone who has severe care needs.
So to be an excellent care worker, you need to be able to think on your feet. Because you will come across unexpected difficult situations, and you will need to be able to deal with them appropriately, and effectively.
And it is crucial that you do, because it can make a difference in saving someone's life.
5. Punctuality
The people that you care for will be planning their day around your care provisions. So if they expect you to arrive at a certain time, you need to turn up on time.
If you fail to turn up on time, then the person that you're caring for will be disappointed. And it will also disrupt the level of care that you provide.
6. Kindness and Empathy
Great carers enjoy building empathy with their patients. They fully appreciate the great difficulty their patients are going through. Building empathy requires you to be attentive and to show a good level of kindness.
Showing empathy is highly appreciated by patients and allows you to build trust with them.
7. Being a Good Listener
The people that you're caring for will most likely have stories to tell — especially the elderly. So taking the time to listen to what they have to say will be much appreciated.
Also, taking the time to listen to your patients is excellent opportunity for you to get a better understanding of their care needs. And this will help you deliver an improved level of care for them.
8. Being Able to Take Responsibility
Carers do have to take on a great deal of responsibility. But brilliant carers are never afraid to take on this responsibility. They take it in their stride and acknowledge the importance of work they do.
The same goes for making mistakes. As a carer, you will make mistakes — nobody is perfect. But it is crucial that you take responsibility for your actions and that you learn from your errors.
9. Going the Extra Mile
A good carer often stays beyond the end of his or her shift. And it is out of pure choice. They want to make sure their patients have been fully attended to before they leave them. Sometimes, this involves waiting for a family member to arrive or getting their favourite snack.
The extra time that you spend with your patients will make a huge difference.
10. Wanting To Learn
A great carer is always wanting to learn new skills. And enrolling on to any training that will help them deliver a better level of care will always be welcomed.
How to Become A Care Worker
There is a great deal of demand for care workers in the Haringey area. You can initially gain experience through volunteering and then apply for any opportunities that arise.
But in order for you to progress in this sector, you need to have the necessary skills and qualifications. With
The Learning Station, we offer comprehensive and flexible health and social care courses that are taught through online distance learning.
All of
our health and social care courses are assessed through work-based assignments. To find out about our health and social courses and to enrol, please visit our courses page.
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