As a support worker establishing clear communication is important as it builds trust and rapport, enhances clear communication, and builds a good foundation between yourself and the care recipient. In this article, we will be establishing some key interpersonal skills that every support worker should develop.
Communication
Communication skills help support workers in interactions with their clients and understanding their needs. Communication with clients during services always must be a 2-way interaction, meaning you are listening to the care recipient’s concerns, needs, and wants and that the care recipient is also listening to you. Communication verbal and non-verbal is a vital skill for support workers and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people is essential.
Problem-solving
Problem-solving is a vital key to being an excellent support worker, as you will need to expect the unexpected and address the situation in a timely manner. Problem-solving is the process of achieving a goal by overcoming obstacles. This could be finding a solution for simple situations to complex incidents. Problem-solving also goes hand in hand with communication and may not always be on the physical side of things. It could mean addressing the care recipient's concerns or complaints.
Adaptability
Adaptability is an integral part of being a support worker. It helps support workers adjust to situations in a fast and timely manner. The support worker field is dynamic and forever evolving, so you must be able to adjust to situations quickly for reasons such as a new home care setting, a change in a care plan, or a health change to the care recipients. To be able to adapt you must stay informed and be open to new techniques, training, and regulations, and be open to change.
Patience
Patience is an important quality for support workers to have. A care recipient's quality of life can be a lot more enjoyable with support workers who are patient, kind, and understanding towards their situation. It is a useful skill to have for situations that arise in your day-to-day life as a support worker for reasons such as repetitive clients, clients who struggle to articulate their thoughts or non-verbal clients. This gives the care recipient the chance to feel more comfortable.
Compassion
Compassion helps support workers understand and share empathy with clients' living circumstances, health issues, or current situations that they are experiencing. It also means that you should be able to understand the client’s feelings and be non-judgemental about their situation. It provides support workers a good sense of direction to work cooperatively with the care recipient and gives the care recipient a sense of comfort that the support workers have done everything in their power to help them that day.
Time management
As a support worker having time management and organisational skills is essential to succeed in your role. As the schedule is never the same every day and you will be seeing different clients with different tasks daily, it is important to always show up punctually, and prioritize tasks as required. This will make the care recipient feel safe and secure and that their time is valued.
Active listening
Active listening is an excellent skill to have as a support worker, due to the need to understand and identify clients’ needs. Active listening is a skill that goes beyond only hearing, it entails interacting, speaking, body language, and being interested in what the care recipient is saying. When the care recipient feels heard and understood it creates a secure and supportive environment for them to truly express how they are feeling.
Professionalism
Professionalism is a must in the healthcare industry, as a support worker you will be in constant contact with different people. It is important to establish professional boundaries. Some elderly people are extremely vulnerable, particularly when their physical and mental health has substantially deteriorated. It’s always important to approach the care recipient politely and respectfully and stick to the correct company protocols.
Conclusion
By sticking to these skills, support workers can create meaningful connections with their clients. Making a significant difference in their overall lifestyle, experience, and well-being. Building rapport is not just about being friendly; it’s about fostering a safe and supportive environment that empowers clients to thrive and that’s all that should truly matter to a great support worker.
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