Medical facilities and care are no longer limited to hospitals alone; we have a dedicated and trained direct care workforce that provides the same services at home or in any respective centres. These professionals, from assisting individuals with daily tasks to providing critical emotional support, form the backbone of our long-term care system. Their unwavering dedication and commitment, often going above and beyond, are truly commendable. However, the demand for their services is rising rapidly, and the workforce itself is facing increasing stress, high turnover, and chronic understaffing. In this blog, we will discuss the four impactful strategies that can help support and strengthen the direct care workforce. We will also explore how EmpowerCare, your online employment agency, can help you implement these strategies.
Who is the Direct care workforce?
Before we dig deeper into the strategies, let’s understand who they are. What do they do? And they contribute to the healthcare industry? They are a group of professionals who provide essential, hands-on care and support to individuals, typically in their homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or community settings. These workers help people who are elderly, chronically ill, or living with disabilities carry out everyday activities that they may not be able to do independently. Key Roles in the Direct Care Workforce Include:
- Home Health Aides (HHAs)
- Personal Care Aides (PCAs)
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
These responsibilities are not just tasks; they are the building blocks of a dignified life for the individuals they care for.
Their contribution to the healthcare industry is not just as workers; they are the front liners, crucial in bridging the gap between clinical healthcare providers (such as nurses and doctors) and the daily needs of individuals. Their role is not just important, it’s indispensable, and their contribution is invaluable. Understanding and appreciating this bridge is essential for the effective functioning of the healthcare system. It’s this understanding that helps us truly understand their role and the challenges they face.
Having learned about the importance of the direct care workforce, the challenge remains the same. To counter this, we have developed four practical strategies that are not only beneficial but also crucial for supporting and strengthening the direct care workforce. These strategies, when implemented effectively, can empower the workforce and improve the quality of care provided. By understanding and implementing these strategies, you can make a significant impact on the lives of your staff and the quality of care they deliver.
Now, let’s explore four effective strategies to support and strengthen the direct care staffing.
Invest in Professional Development and Training
The roadmap to their career growth seems like a dead end, not much to learn or grow. However, if you, as a dedicated employee, demonstrate to them that they have courses and certifications available to help them improve their skills and advance in their roles, then it will keep them motivated and committed to staying with your organization. Here are the courses that you can include on your portal -
- CPR and first aid certification
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care
- Mental health and trauma-informed support
- Infection control and safety protocols
- Client-centred communication and de-escalation techniques
Improve Compensation and Job Stability
When anyone starts working for a company, they are looking for growth, a good package, and, of course, job stability. Their salaries are not particularly high; therefore, by offering them an attractive wage above the market rate, you can help them stay with your organization for a longer duration. Offer them long-term placement opportunities and promote reliable shift patterns that will enable them to work more effectively.
Prioritise Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
As they are the leading front liners, they are often experiencing the most grief, trauma, isolation, and sometimes even abuse. So, it takes a toll on their mental and emotional health as well. Therefore, if you examine the factors that can promote the mental and emotional well-being of your staff, it will ensure that their employer is also dedicated to looking after them. Here’s what that could look like:
- Regular check-ins and peer support groups
- Access to mental health services or counselling
- Decompression time after particularly intense shifts
- Recognition programs that celebrate emotional labour, not just productivity.
Streamline Hiring Through Smart Staffing Solutions
While hiring anyone new takes longer than expected, followed by the background checks, it further increases the delays. In today’s competitive and fast-paced world, everyone needs a more innovative solution for seamless, quick and reliable hiring. Empowercare’s staffing solutions stand out because [unique benefits]. Our streamlined process ensures that staff are deployed quickly to their requested destination, saving you time and resources.
How does Empowercare fit into your employment strategy?
If you are looking for a partner who is reliable and can help you find vetted, dependable staff to meet your requirements, then your search is over. As an employment agency, we will help you negotiate an attractive salary package and ensure that you receive sufficient training through our portal. Our staffing solutions will ensure that it’s quick and easy. Here’s how you can partner with us: [clear process of partnering]. We also offer direct access to mental health resources, including virtual counselling and peer-led support circles. Our staffing model also ensures rest cycles, giving professionals time to recharge between assignments, because a burnt-out caregiver can’t provide high-quality care. So, whether you are a healthcare institution or a direct care worker, we are your partners to help you prepare for the next opportunity and ensure that you connect with the right people. Log in to find the best chance.
Final Thought
We often overlook the fact that front-liners have been an integral part of our ecosystem, alongside doctors and nurses. The direct care workforce plays a vital role in our lives, whether we require home care, chronic care, or other types of care. They are there to help and support our families. Whether you are a passionate caregiver or an institution looking for a worker to work for people in need, EmpowerCare is here to help and support all your job requirements, whether it is negotiating salaries and packages, providing proper training and mental and emotional health support or more. We provide next-generation staffing solutions for both parties, ensuring a seamless, quick, and reliable experience. Please work with us on strategies, and your staff will stay with you for the long term.