Applying for Caregiver Jobs in New Zealand would be the first thought that will come to your mind if you want to work in New Zealand as a Caregiver. Caregivers are in high demand, and getting a job as a caregiver in New Zealand may sound untrue, but it is true and very possible.
Who is a Caregiver?
A Caregiver is an individual who provides physical, emotional, medical, and other forms of support to those who need it. Examples of people who need caregivers include Children, the elderly, patients with severe illnesses, or patients who are disabled. Caregivers are needed mostly in Hospitals and homes and you can get a job if you qualify.
The caregiver is expected to provide companionship for their clients, shop and run errands for them, and assist them with hygiene and bathing. They are also responsible for reminding clients of their medications and in some cases preparing and administering the drugs.
A caregiver may also be required to cook and carry out light housekeeping functions. Though the responsibilities of a caregiver may be burdensome, people with a passion for helping others find it very exciting.
Requirements for Getting a Caregiver Job in New Zealand for Foreigners
Just like every other career, the caregiving job has its own requirements. Before you even think of applying for a caregiver job in New Zealand, you need to meet up with the standards that New Zealand employees are looking for. So, what are the requirements for a caregiver job? They include:
- A High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. This is because you need knowledge of emergency response and first aid.
- At least a year of Work experience.
- A driver’s license with a good driving record.
- Physical strength and stamina.
- Health promotion and maintenance.
- You should also be at least 21 years of age.
- The ability to read, speak, and write in English fluently.
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These are the general requirements you need to get a Caregiver job in New Zealand. If there are more, you will be asked by the employer to provide them.
Skills Required for a Caregiver Job
Beyond the educational qualifications, there are certain skills that employers are looking for. A caregiver is expected to have a good relationship with their clients hence, they must possess some skills. The skills include:
- Patience
- Compassion
- Kindness
- Friendly attitude and companionship.
- Observation skills (The ability to pay attention to details).
- Pain management.
- Clinical knowledge.
- Medical teamwork.
- Communication skills.
- Time management.
- Organization
- Problem-solving skills.
- Planning and development.
- Stress Management.
- Flexibility
These are some of the skills you must possess to get a caregiving job in New Zealand. You also need financial management skills and the ability to work in a safe and effective environment.
Type of Caregiver Jobs
Below are the types of caregiving jobs you can engage in:
- Independent Caregiver
Independent caregivers are individuals who don’t work under any company. They work alone and are not paid by any agency. Thus, they can be employed directly by any family to carry out a particular duty. They earn an average salary of about $32,342 per year.
- Agency Caregiver
An agency caregiver is a Certified Nursing Assistant or a personal care aide who is responsible for light housekeeping, transportation, cooking, and other non-medical services. An agency caregiver is simply paid $49,843 to $48,112 yearly and $20.08 per hour. Note, that this amount could change due to company differences.
Home Health Care Caregiver
A home health care caregiver is a caregiver who offers not just care but also gives prescriptions by a physician for a short-term medical need. They also help individuals prepare for their home health care appointments and other assigned duties. They are paid an average salary of $50,872 and more per year.
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Independent Caregiver
An independent caregiver is employed directly by the family to carry out caregiving assignments. They are open to an average salary of $41,025 and more per year. And also paid $19.72 per hour. This amount however could be changed as there are differences in company policy.
Senior Living Caregiver
The role of a senior living caregiver is to take care of elderly people. In other to attend to such people, you need to have an attribute of patience. This is because most of these elderly people are having mental issues, hence, their form of communication will be difficult. However, as a senior living caregiver, you can work under an agency or work independently. As a senior living caregiver, you are accessible to an average pay of about $34,234 per year.
How to Apply for a Caregiver Job in New Zealand
Working in New Zealand is a great idea and what you need to do is to get a job offer first. Below are steps that will help you in your job application.
- Determine the location in New Zealand where you want to work.
- Begin your job search by visiting foreign media, social media, online job boards, company career pages, and websites with job databases.
- When you have found job positions, prepare your resume.
- Apply for as many caregiver jobs as you can find. Upload the necessary documents and submit a good cover letter every employer will love to see.
These are the general procedures for applying for the job. If you are qualified, the employer will contact you and the visa sponsorship process can begin.
Caregiver Interview Questions
Most employers are looking for individuals who can fit well into the role of a caregiver. This is because of the sensitive duties that are required to carry out. With this, their medical emotional, and organizational skills will be tested during the interview.
If you are looking forward to working as a caregiver, here are some questions you should expect during your interview.
- Why Do You Want to Be a Caregiver?
This is generally the first question most caregivers are asked. Do you want to work because of the pay or do you have a passion for helping people? You should put the reason why you want to work as a caregiver in Canada into consideration.
If you have the personality to assist people, it won’t be difficult for you to answer this question. You can also share past incidents that inspired you to join the caregiving career.
What are the Important Skills that a Caregiver Needs to Possess?
There is a long list of skills caregivers need to possess but there are some skills that top the list. They include Patience, compassion, problem-solving, communication, and medical skills.
If you are asked this question, you can list the skills mentioned above and make references to where you have used these skills to assist people.
How Do You Deal with a Difficult Client?
This is another question you will definitely be asked during your interview. The employer will want to know what your response will be when your client refuses to eat their meals, take their medications, etc.
It would help if you answered this question with respect and sincerity. You can start by sharing an experience of what you did when a client proved stubborn and you can also share how you used your problem-solving skills to respectfully resolve a stubborn patient.
These are some of the questions you will be asked during the Interview for a caregiver job. Answer all questions calmly and respectfully as this will improve your chances of getting the job. you should also appear neat, and friendly and show genuine concern for the client who needs care.
What are the Responsibilities of a Caregiver?
If you want to work as a caregiver, you should be ready to assist your client with daily living activities such as bathing, toileting, grooming, etc. You are also responsible for cooking, providing companionship, assisting with medications, maintaining clean and safe environments, and lots more.