Considering A Career In The Care Industry? Here’s What You Need To Know…
With a wealth of experience recruiting for this sector, Jon Mason, Recruitment Manager at Maria Mallaband Care Home Group fills us in on what you need to know when considering a role in the care home industry.
WHAT ROLES ARE ON OFFER IN THE CARE HOMES SECTOR?
Whilst direct care is the key purpose of course, care homes are also mini communities where there really is something for everyone. There are plenty of creative, practical and management roles in the team too, with positions in catering, wellbeing and social activities, administration, housekeeping, management, maintenance, quality control, and even transport.
DO YOU NEED SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS?
Whilst there are some roles that do need specific qualifications there are many that don’t. In fact, in many cases getting hands on experience whilst studying can be a much more effective way to learn – plus some employers actually value the opportunity to align your learning to their own methods and practices.
For example, Maria Mallaband currently has a number of Trainee Nurse Associates studying with universities across the UK alongside their current roles. Being able to earn and learn like this gives them the opportunity to become fully qualified nurses without having to worry about funding.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR SECTORS THAT ARE WELL SUITED TO A CAREER IN A CARE HOME?
With the pressures of the ongoing pandemic on certain industries, many are needing to look else- where for reliable employment. We’ve seen more applications for those who want to completely change their career path and are now looking to build a long-term future in the care sector. Many of our most recent hires have come from completely different sectors, including project management, children’s activities, hotels, and even personal training.
Those within retail, customer service and hospitality have developed great interpersonal skills and are able to work as part of a team. In sectors that are struggling, people are now considering where those skills could be applied elsewhere, and care homes have a lot to offer.
WHICH ARE THE RELEVANT SKILLS THAT YOU WOULD LOOK FOR?
One of the most important skills you can bring to this field is passion! After all, it might be your place of work, but it is home for those who live there. It’s also important that people who choose this career are confident communicators and empathetic, whether they engage directly with those living there or not. Those within retail, customer service and hospitality often cultivate great communication skills and have learnt to work well as part of a team.
As well as customer facing roles I have already mentioned, there are plenty of other roles that could provide relevant skills. Experience in the food indus- try could lead to a career in the catering team, or perhaps a role co-ordinating hobbies and activities for those with creative or artistic inclinations. More practically minded individuals may be well-suited to general maintenance, cleaning or transport positions.
A passion for people and companionship as well as the work you do can make such an impact on your role and those around you. With each home operating as its own community accommodating every need for those who live there – the possibilities really are endless.
