The health and social care sector is a broad industry with many moving parts that make up an efficient and effective system. If you are someone who has a compassionate nature and loves to care for others, approaching the health and care sector may be something you’re considering. Seeing as there are many different types of jobs involved in this specific field of work, there are also different qualifications that are a requirement when committing to a job.
It may sound daunting at first, but researching the different directions you can follow can give you a clearer idea of what would suit your personality best as well as what you’ll need in order to make a success out of it. Each job also has entirely different responsibilities and has a certain level of care required from you, so be sure to gather as much information as possible before committing yourself to one particular job.
That said, here are three of the many jobs you can consider when deciding to dive into the health and social care sector.
Rehabilitation Worker
This is one of the jobs that don’t necessarily need a qualification, but it would only be to your advantage if you completed a level 3 diploma. Rehab workers help people who’ve been through an accident, drug abuse, or an illness and assists them in living a more independent life. A rehab worker has exceptional communication skills and has compassion as a key trait. Patience is also a necessity when approaching this job, seeing as you’ll be helping people learn to master basic feats all over again.
By assessing the patient’s needs, you’ll be helping them complete tasks and live less dependent on other people.
Registered Care Manager
A registered care manager is appointed by the provider whose responsibilities are to oversee the daily tasks set out and take charge of situations that may occur. Seeing as the provider will not be present each day to regulate the ongoing activities, the registered care manager needs to take over the duties on their behalf and act as a leader for the fellow co-workers. This is quite an advanced position and can be considered after a few years in the field.
A registered care manager needs to have a level 4 NVQ in health and social care, a degree associated with social care, qualifications related to social work, and a level 5 diploma in Care Leadership & Management For Health and Social Care.
Counselor
Counselors come in all shapes and sizes – school, marriage, family, business, rehab, grief, and on the list goes.This job position entails helping people through tough times or traumatic current and past experiences. Counselors teach their patients how to cope with past events and how to adapt to life in a positive and effective manner. A counselor should be able to listen to their patient and provide a calming and supportive environment.
Most counselors will need a degree but not all counseling careers require a degree. For non degree holders, the BACP suggests candidates complete a three-stage training course in order to have the required knowledge and basic skills when working with these patients. Your job would also be to promote a more positive mindset in patients and assist them in making positive choices concerning their lifestyle.
The health and social care sector may not be for everyone, but it is a rewarding labor of love that is driven by a passion for helping people in need.
*Photos by Karolina Grabowska
