From Healthcare Professional to Healthcare Recruiter

I am perhaps in an unusual – and fortuitous – position within my recruitment career. I have done the job I am recruiting for. So, I understand the pressures of being on your feet all day, spending time with clients or residents and juggling the challenges of shift work. It also means that when my clients are looking for a specific attribute or skill set, I understand the nuances of the role they are trying to hire.

This helps me have meaningful conversations with my candidates and clients alike. Healthcare has faced more than its fair share of challenges – the pandemic and a staffing crisis to name but a few – but one thing has prevailed. The people that work in this sector are some of the most dedicated, patient and positive I have ever come across.

Early career

I began my care career in a home for residents with dementia. I was very nervous as I had never done personal care before. However, I was told that “You have to think of it as caring for your grandma.” This is advice that has stayed with me throughout my entire career. Reassuring families was a big part of my job – you’re doing all you can to ensure that your residents feel loved, supported and dignified. How their family feels is an extension of this care. One thing that became very clear, very quickly, was that you have to learn to strike the balance between being caring and not allowing your emotions to rule. Learning how to be personable yet professional is key.

Different types of care

From the care home, I moved on to both respite care and then support work with vulnerable adults. Both these roles really taught me how to cherish joy in the small moments. You have to build a rapport with your service users quite quickly, learning how to stimulate them whilst always remaining respectful of their needs. Your resilience in these kinds of care roles grows quickly, as some days can be very challenging. You’ll meet people from all walks of life and it can be quite eye opening, too.

COVID

The pandemic was a real challenge. Some service users simply couldn’t understand the fact that their families weren’t allowed to visit. This was very upsetting for both residents and carers alike – family visit time is often a joyous occasion. This meant that, as a carer, I had to provide lots of additional support, ensuring that the rapport (and, perhaps, most importantly, the structure) was in place to ensure every resident still felt respected and appreciated.

If you would like to speak to me about a career in care, I’d be delighted to discuss the options we currently have on the market. Equally, if you need to make a hire for your home or service, I’d be keen to understand your recruitment needs.

Get in touch with me – agurnett@hrcrecruitment.co.uk