Article: 5 minute read
If you’re looking for a job that is both rewarding and meaningful, consider making the switch and become a community home care worker in 2023. This type of work allows you to make a difference in the lives of those who need support to remain living at home and independently with dignity, respect, and compassion.
As a community home care worker, you will provide vital services such as personal care, domestic assistance, transport, as well as social support to people with disability and elderly community members. You’ll be able to observe the positive impact of your work firsthand!
Not only can you make a real difference in the lives of others, but you can also benefit from the many rewards that come with this type of career. From financial certainty to flexible hours and more, there are plenty of benefits to becoming a community home care worker in 2023.
What is community home care work?
Community home care workers provide a number of in-home services to assist those who may need support around the home and in the local community. Home Care workers support clients with- Helping around the home (light cleaning and laundry duties)
- Providing personal care
- Assisting with shopping and meal preparation
- Transporting clients to appointments and running errands
- Providing general social support and spending quality time with clients.
Advantages of becoming a community home care worker
There are many benefits associated with becoming a community home care worker. Some of the most significant include financial certainty, flexible hours, personal rewards, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. These factors make this a rewarding career for those who want to do meaningful work and make a difference in the lives of others.a. Financial certainty
Here at SAI, one of the most significant benefits of this career is the financial certainty that comes with working with a local home care organisation.Here at SAI, we pay our team as per the industry award Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services. Your hourly rate may vary depending on your qualifications, experience level, and other factors. We pay above the award, including paying our home care workers, travel between home visits, as well as paying for training and when you need to do incident reports.
Unlike contract work, we support our you with the administration around your pay, including taking care of your taxes and superannuation and Long Service Leave entitlements.
Our team’s part-time members also enjoy the added benefits of both personal and annual leave entitlements.
b. Flexible hours
Another significant advantage of a career in-home care is the ability to work flexible hours and make a home visit schedule that works for you. Most community home care workers choose to work casually as this helps them earn casual loading while also having the schedule flexibility that fits into their lifestyle.Here at SAI, you can also choose to work part-time with guaranteed hours every fortnight. Part-time workers generally work at least 20 hours per week.
c. Work that makes a difference
Another advantage of a career in care is the personal rewards you will experience. Community home care workers often help those who need assistance with daily living or social and emotional support. While many of your clients will be elderly, you may also work with people with disability and other individuals who need assistance with daily tasks. Working with local people in their own homes, supporting them to live independently at home for as long as possible, really does make a difference!d. Build your career in home care
Another significant advantage of a career in home care is the opportunity for professional growth. Here at SAI, community home care workers have the opportunity to advance their careers and gain more responsibility as they gain experience. For example, you can take on roles in rostering, care management or administrative roles within our organisation following training or the attainment of qualifications.We also offer you the opportunity to participate in ongoing training which you are paid to attend or continue your education, with support for those seeking to gain a Certificate III.
Qualifications and certifications for community home care workers
While most home-care service roles will require a qualification, qualifications are not necessarily needed for some domestic assistance roles. To become a community home care worker, you will need to have a current right to work in Australia.Domestic Assistance workers: Other than a great attitude and dedication to supporting elderly members of the community, you will need a National Police Check, CPR and First Aid Certificate, up-to-date Covid and Flu vaccinations, a current driver’s license and access to an insured, reliable vehicle.
Home Care and Support Workers: This role requires a Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Disability of Aged Care. You will also need a National Police Check, CPR and First Aid Certificate, up-to-date Covid and Flu vaccinations, a current driver’s license and access to an insured, reliable vehicle.
For those planning to also support NDIS clients, you will also need to attain a NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Skills needed for a successful career in care
If you want to become a community home care worker, it’s important to possess the necessary skills for success. The most important skills include strong communication skills, empathy, patience, compassion, organisation, and creative problem-solving skills.Communication skills are vital because you will likely work with many clients who have unique and diverse needs. You may work with individuals who are elderly, have disability-related concerns, and/or have mental health conditions. Communication skills are also important because you may need to communicate with clients, their families, co-workers, and supervisors.
How to become a community home care worker with SAI
There has never been a better time to become a community home care worker with SAI. We are growing our team in 2023 as we continue to support an increasing number of local people with their home care needs.
If you are interested in making a career switch in 2023, working in a job that makes a difference in people’s lives, get in touch with our talent team on (03) 8785 0999 or consider applying via our fast-track application form below.
Application Form:
