What you Need to know About Becoming a Disability Support Worker

Taking up a career in the disability support sector could be challenging but nevertheless rewarding. That said, many individuals are drawn into the idea of becoming a disability support worker because of how fulfilling this job can be. 

If you are one of the many who are planning to enter this industry, then you’re in the right place. We will be talking about some of the most important things you need to know about becoming a professional caregiver so stick around until the end of this article.

1. You need patience 

As we’ve said earlier, working in the disability support sector can be challenging at times. Your role and responsibility depend on the situation of your client and will require you to think on your feet.

Some may only require assistance in meal preparation or in moving around the house whilst others may need help from getting themselves dressed to using the bathroom.

That said, a personal care assistant must have patience and above all genuine care for the client they are working with.

Should you pursue a career in disability support, you must show your client empathy and resilience over the course of your service, until they learn to become entirely independent or as stated on their NDIS plan.

1. Be prepared for long shifts (and working on weekends)

Your client decided to ask for your professional help for a reason. That reason might go beyond the regular eight-hour shift and may require you to start your days earlier than usual or finish work later than normal.

This is the situation faced by most disability support workers who have dedicated their time to helping the clients they are working with.

In some cases, their clients may have special needs that require them to work even during weekends. Their dedication to their work leads them to build rapport and have a good working relationship with the people they care for that they no longer mind helping them out past their shifts.

On that note...

1. It can be hard to say goodbye to a longstanding client

When you come to a point that you begin to treat your client as a friend — or a part of your family — it could be hard to say goodbye.

Some clients may choose to stop asking for your services for various reasons. Some might be relocating to a new city or state while others might have grown independently that they can now confidently live on their own. 

In the event that you part ways with a long standing client, it could be difficult to bid them adieu.

1. Every day will be different

Unlike a regular office job where you know exactly what needs to be done (and how to do it) even before your shift begins, the day-to-day scenario of being a care worker is different.

Because you are working with an actual human being with different needs and varying demands, your daily work pattern or routine may not actually be consistent.

These are just some of the things that the team of professional disability workers shared when we asked them for some of the things that you need to know if you are interested in becoming a part of the disability support sector. 

In addition, they helped us with what they believe are traits that make a great caregiver. Here they are:

Compassion and empathy — A care person must be able to put himself or herself in their client’s shoes to build a genuine connection with them.

Perseverance — Professional caregivers should have the patience to deal with the changing needs of their clients. With perseverance, they can accommodate not only their changing needs but also their varying moods.

Passion — Arguably the most important trait, a professional disability support provider must be passionate about helping their clients. 

Takeaways

The goal of a care support worker is to provide individuals with the best service possible. Although this role can be most rewarding, there can be challenging aspects as well so please consider the above when applying for the position.