Keeping Yourself Safe on Shift

Community healthcare workers are very important members of the healthcare industry. Keeping safe whilst on the road is vital to ensure a happy employee! This blog includes ways in which you can keep yourself safe when you are working out in the community.

Before you even leave for the day, ensure that somebody else other than yourself knows where you should be and at what time you should be arriving at each destination. Keeping equipment on you for personal protection such as gloves are helpful as they are likely to be needed and may not be available in a client’s home.

As winter is approaching, it is becoming more likely that you’ll have to work in icy/snowy conditions. Be proactive and ensure that you are prepared should these situations arise. Why not equip your vehicle with snow tyres, and make sure you have some de-icer on hand! Try to minimize distractions whilst you are in the car, ensure driving is the priority and get to the next client as safely as you can.

Working in the healthcare industry is one of the most rewarding professions due to the relationships that you can build with clients. Despite the positives, being removed from a controlled environment in a community-based setting does pose its risks. Many homecare workers will often work alone, so exercising common sense is one of the biggest tips we could suggest.

Whether you are visiting a new client, or if you’ve been there lots of times before, it’s good to always keep an eye on what is going on around you. Make sure you have been given clear direction and you aren’t wandering in a possibly unfamiliar environment.

Make sure you protect your valuables by locking the car and hiding anything that may be on show. Keep your phone within reach at all times in case of an emergency.

One of the joys of working in homecare is the time you get to spend with others in their home. You will get to know the family members, and this could include any pets they may have. Pets are often friendly and open to new people, but this isn’t always the case. Make sure not to touch a pet without first consulting the client, or if the client knows that they may be unhappy with a visitor, ask that they are put in another room!

You should also listen to your instinct when you are working within the community, your safety always comes first.

At Kare Plus, we are extremely proud of our selfless staff who work hard on a daily basis to care for those who are in need. If you’re interested in a position with us, visit our jobs page.