The smart new way to improve patient care
NEW technology is starting to transform social care careers. Paula Bulgarelli, a former catering manager and now a professional home carer with Cera Care in London, says: ‘Being a carer is rewarding and gives meaning and purpose to your life, but it is also hard work and challenging.
‘many of the people i care for will not get better, but it can be lovely to be with someone who lets you help them. i have heard many amazing stories from clients.’
Paula says technology makes her job easier and clients safer.
‘in the past, care reports were written up on paper and left in clients’ homes, but now we use a smartphone app to log visits, update care plans and add care reports. it leaves more time for better quality care.
‘the information is available to everyone involved in the care plan, including the client’s family and their GP. Concerns can be flagged up and the technology helps to monitor and improve care quality.’
Sarah Mcewan, head of recruitment and training at Cera Care, says: ‘our carers have at least one year’s experience and a vocational qualification in health and social care. the technology streamlines operations, so we can pay them £11.50 an hour — 50 pc above the industry average.’ VISIT ceracare.co.uk/careers
THE Government has launched a new campaign to recruit thousands more adult social carers. in social care, you could support people in residential care or the community, with mental health conditions, physical or learning disabilities, the elderly or those recovering from accidents.
and roles are not limited to direct care — the growth of the sector means more jobs in management, administration, finance, marketing, project management and kitchen and domestic work.
the sector organisation Skills For Care offers details of routes into the career, including its graduate programme.