A Personal Support Worker (PSW) carries tremendous amount of responsibility, both in regard to the clients to whom they provide care, and in regard to the tasks they are performing.

Following qualities will help any healthcare support worker in their professional career.

EMPATHY, HONESTY & FLEXIBILITY

A support worker must be able to demonstrate character traits such as empathy, honesty, flexibility and the ability to provide warm encouragement.

COMPASSION

A Personal Support Worker must showcase compassion, an essential characteristic of a good support worker. This trait goes a long way in helping to connect well with clients and handle their various needs with tenderness and warmth.

TRUST & HONESTY

Both of above mentioned qualities facilitate trust, which is another essential component in any healthcare profession.

The importance of honesty in this position cannot be underestimated.  It display’s that the support worker handled all delicate aspects of the job of caring for another human being in the security of their home with the highest integrity.

PROFESSIONAL & MOTIVATOR

A Personal Support Worker should have the ability to build clients’ self-esteem and self-confidence, and should be able to encourage his or her clients/residents/patients to be as active as possible, and to be as independent as they possibly can within the confines of their physical or mental limitations.

ADAPTABILITY

It is very important to strongly emphasis on flexibility and adaptability. The nature of personal support work is such that each day can present new challenges and obstacles which both the client and the caregiver must work together to overcome.

It should reflect that the worker is able to handle these challenging situations with the utmost discretion and confidence.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Personal support workers should also never develop the habit of making assumptions as to what each day will bring with each individual client. Thinking quickly on their feet in any situation is what makes an excellent PSW..

TEAM PLAYER & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

In addition to these significant qualities, the worker should also focus on the ability to work as part of a team, emphasizing the worker’s stellar communication skills (both interprofessional and intraprofessional) and the ability to shift a workload as needed as part of this team.

All of these qualities should be demonstrated in daily practice. They help develop professional work ethics and rapport, not only among co-workers but with clients as well.

This positive image could get you noticed and be a gateway to future opportunities and professional development.