Skills To Develop For A Successful Caregiving Career

As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the need for professional caregivers continues to grow. Within the next five years, the opportunities for caregivers will feel endless. Still, if you want to make the transition and stand out from the competition, there are a few skills you’ll want to develop for a successful caregiving career now. 

What Is Professional Caregiving?

Your primary responsibility as a professional caregiver is ensuring your client is safe and comfortable at home by assisting with daily nonmedical tasks like light housekeeping, meal preparations, medication reminders, transportation, mobility, and personal grooming.

Each client you work with will have different physical, mental, and emotional needs. While daily living tasks are essential to their well-being, sometimes the most important part of your job is providing companionship. That may mean walking with your client around the neighborhood, enjoying a meal at their favorite cafe, or playing a card game. It may seem small at the moment, but those interactions and the relationships you build with your clients often mean the most to them. 

What Skills Do I Need As A Caregiver?

Many skills can help you as a professional caregiver, including technical skills specific to caregiving. However, if you’re comfortable with communication, time management, and critical thinking before you start your caregiving career, you may have an easier time finding success in your work. 

Communication

Communication is about how well you can receive and exchange information. It’s straightforward why you need communication skills in caregiving. You must be able to receive information from the client, the client’s family, and the Visiting Angels care team, understand what it means, and apply the information to your client’s care. 

Communication also plays an essential role in relationship-building. Communication allows for trust and friendship. The better you are at sharing and exchanging information, the easier it’ll be for you to build a relationship with your client and their families. 

Time Management

Time management is about organizing and making the most of your time. Yes, good time management includes showing up to work on time and keeping to a schedule, but it’s also about knowing the best use of your time while working with a client. 

Every time you show up at a client’s home, ask yourself what the best use of your time is. Would your client have a better quality of life if you spend most of the shift cleaning their home and cooking them meals, or do they need someone to sit and chat with them that day? The best use of time will change daily, and you must understand how to manage that time effectively. 

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a broad term that incorporates many different skills. In a nutshell, critical thinking is your ability to problem-solve, analyze information, and make decisions. There is no typical day for a caregiver. Each day will come with unique obstacles, and it’s up to you to think critically and develop the best solutions. 

Strong critical thinking skills require curiosity, logic, and creativity. Be curious enough to want to learn more. Use logic to come to a decision that makes sense. Get creative to find new and fun approaches to challenges.

How Can I Improve My Skills?

It’s okay if your communication, time management, and critical thinking skills aren’t where you want them to be as a professional caregiver. Even if you feel confident in your caregiving skills, continuing to refine and develop them never hurts, and there are plenty of ways to become a stronger communicator, time manager, and critical thinker. 

• Books: Most bookstores have business sections with books on leadership, critical thinking, and other skills that can help you as a caregiver. 
• Online courses: Sign up for free or one-time fee online courses on platforms like Linked Learning or Harvard University. 
• Mentorships: Sometimes, the best way to develop caregiving skills is by connecting with another caregiver. Consider asking a professional caregiver to be a mentor so you’ll have someone to answer questions and provide guidance during your new career. 

Starting Your Career With Visiting Angels 

Deciding to work as a professional caregiver is a big decision, but if you think you’re ready to make the career move, the team at Visiting Angels Flagstaff would love to connect. We’re a locally owned and operated home care agency dedicated to assisting seniors and families throughout Flagstaff, Payson, ShowLow, and the surrounding communities. 

We’re filling part-time and full-time positions, offering competitive pay, bonus opportunities, paid training, and flexible scheduling. If you’re ready to take the first step in your career as a professional caregiver, send us your application or message us with any questions.