BEST TYPES OF CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK: EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT SPECIALIZATIONS AND WORK SETTINGS
Discover the various types of caregiver jobs in the UK healthcare system. From live-in caregivers to hospice workers, there are many different roles and responsibilities within the caregiving profession. Learn about the qualifications, skills, and duties required for each type of caregiver job in the UK in this informative article.
A caregiver, also known as a caretaker, is an individual who helps people with activities of daily living (ADL) for the client of this individual to live a more independent life socially and health-wise, which is free from harm or injury. A caregiver could be a family member or a professional.
Caregivers are essential in the UK healthcare system because they advocate for patients, provide emotional support, help with household tasks, and provide personal and medical care.
Some of the various health caregivers’ jobs include but are not limited to; agency career, senior living caregiver, home caregiver, skilled nursing home caregiver, independent caregiver, virtual online caregiver, family caregiver, etcetera.
READ ALSO!!!
THE FUTURE OF CAREGIVING IN THE UK: NEW TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE CAREGIVING INDUSTRY
5 BEST WAYS ON HOW TO FIND CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK: TIPS AND RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS
6 STEPS IN PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR CAREGIVERS IN THE UK
SPECIALIZATIONS OF CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK
Like every profession, caregiving also has some fields, such as;
Personal care assistants
A personal care assistant aids the patient in carrying out daily tasks and activities in their home or a care facility. Some of the responsibilities include; assisting with activities of daily living, tidying, sanitizing, and cleaning up the environment, monitoring the clients’ health condition and giving medications, delivering updates and reports on the client’s health status to other health professionals, etc.
Home care assistants
A home care assistant or a home care aide assists the elderly, sick, or disabled clients to live safely in their homes. They help administer medications, run errands for the clients, take them to their medical appointments, supervise their feeding and drinking, give reports on the client’s health status and progress to the Home Care Manager, etc.
Domiciliary care workers
They are also known as private or home carers. They aid individuals to live independently in their homes by providing daily visits or live-in care. They can assist in the client’s mobilization, medication management, continence and personal care, clinical care, and the like.
Health care assistants
Are also known as nursing assistants or auxiliary nurses because they assist other medical professionals in caring for patients in their homes, hospitals, or nursing homes. Some of their responsibilities include but are not limited to; measuring and recording vital signs, making beds for the patients, and making sure that medical equipment is repaired. Supplies replenished and helping the health care professionals to set up medical equipment.
Nursing assistants
They are also known as nursing aides or orderlies. They help provide primary care to patients and assist with daily tasks that might be troublesome to the patient. They assist in lifting and moving patients from one place to another, taking vital signs, making patient care easier, and communicating with family members and healthcare team members.
Senior care assistants
This is a care worker that helps the elderly and senior citizens of a country in carrying out all daily tasks and activities. They act as part of the care team in hospitals, care homes, and assisted living facilities. Their duties and responsibilities include; preparation of feeds, daily cleaning, and hygiene, administering medication, acting as a source of companionship, etc.
Special needs assistants
A caregiver or caretaker assists young adults and children in an educational environment. They assist children with their various personal needs and disabilities. They help develop learning materials, offer care for the children based on their individual needs, keep records and documents on each child to track their progress and changing conditions, and facilitate a safe environment for the children that is stimulating and serene at the same time, etcetera.
WORK SETTINGS FOR CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK
Care homes
Caregivers can work in care homes caring for people with special needs or problems who cannot look after themselves.
Hospitals
Caregivers work in this healthcare institution that provides diagnosis, medical surgical treatment, and nursing care to sick or injured patients. They assist other healthcare professionals in caring for the patients.
Home care agencies
Caregivers can provide care to clients conveniently in their own homes. They assist the nurses in achieving personalized goals based on the client’s diagnosis.
Independent living facilities
Here, care is provided to older adults, the elderly, or people with disabilities in a housing facility who choose not to live alone or cannot live alone.
Hospices
Caregivers care for the terminally ill or people nearing the end of their lives in a hospice facility by maximizing comfort, reducing pain, and providing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual support.
Schools
Caregivers can also work in schools helping children with disabilities or special needs to achieve learning goals.
Day centers
Caregivers also provide care and recreation during the day to older people who need help.
Private residencies
Caregivers can work in private residences of people who are ill, providing care, support, and assistance.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK
To start working as a carer in the UK, you must undergo specialized training regardless of whether you possess a degree. You will also need to have the necessary certifications depending on the type of caregiver you want to be. For example, if you want to be a nursing assistant, you must possess a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate.
Apart from formal education, a caregiver without a degree may also need to learn additional skills like communication, observation, caregiving, physical therapy, and the like by studying technical courses that offer these skills.
However, even though opportunities in education are optional, most establishments that offer caregiving roles require on-the-job training approved by the state or government before a caregiver can be allowed to work unsupervised. Although, most caregivers are trained by shadowing the footsteps of present healthcare professionals while carrying out their duties under supervision until the trainee can comfortably complete specific tasks independently.
Continuing education and professional development for caretakers involves participating in online training classes, conferences, and seminars while using a developed curriculum that has been approved for continuing education to update the knowledge and skills of the carers to promote professionalism.
SALARY AND CAREER PROSPECTS FOR CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK
The UK estimates that by 2037, there will be a 40 percent rise in caregiver jobs in the UK, that is over 2.6 million caregivers bringing the caregivers population to over 9 million.
The average salary range for caregivers of all types is £20,963 to £30,323 per year or £11.79 per hour. However, some factors that might influence the salary levels of caregivers include; the experience level of the caregiver, area of residence, certifications, increasing demand for caregivers, academic documents and specializations, and level of care you’re willing to provide.
As a caregiver, you can progress in your career after certifications, training, and on-the-job experience to become a nurse, nursing assistant, care supervisor, care manager, social care assistant, or lead care worker. You have the opportunity to work in different healthcare settings, providing care to the patients/clients while being fulfilled and rewarded for your hard work at the same time.
CHALLENGES AND REWARDS OF WORKING IN CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK
Working in a caregiver job in the UK demands a lot physically and emotionally from the carer. There have been higher levels of depression, stress, and verbal abuse experienced by the caregivers. Caregiving can also result in a large amount of financial strain, increased risk for substance abuse, and compromise one’s immune system, which can worsen existing chronic health problems.
However, if, as a caregiver, you can make a difference in someone’s life, it can bring joy, contentment, and fulfillment to the individual while also strengthening the bond between two loved ones. Also, you get the chance to build your career, learn new skills, meet new people that are special, and also build your confidence as a caregiver.
Caregiving can be a satisfactory job because you can pay your bills and help someone in need. In addition, you must learn how to balance your work as a caregiver and your personal life properly to ensure you’re not sacrificing one part of your life for the other. This can be done by taking proactive measures to prevent burnout. Some of the more common signs of burnout include; exhaustion, depression, job dissatisfaction, increased blood pressure, drinking, doing drugs, and other similar distractions.
CONCLUSION(TYPES OF CAREGIVER JOBS IN THE UK)
There are different types of caregiver jobs in the UK. You must know the various classifications, salaries, work settings, and roles to make the right choice. Some of the specialties in the caregiving role include personal care assistant, home care assistant, domiciliary care workers, healthcare assistants, senior care assistants, and special needs assistants.
Caregivers in the UK can work in people’s homes, hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, long-term care facilities, or even acute care settings.
The UK consists of numerous people who are either vulnerable or elderly and need caregivers’ support to carry out daily tasks to attain their full potential as individuals to live happy and successful lives. Caregiver jobs are essential and valued in the UK healthcare system and society because they help ease the burden on healthcare providers, family members, and sick individuals.
