Caring is a Career: Why Now is the Best Time to Become a Direct Care Worker
Caring for others is a rewarding career option for individuals interested in supporting others’ growth and development. Direct care workers provide hands-on support to individuals who have vulnerable needs due to disabilities or chronic illnesses. More direct care workers are needed as the population ages and the current workforce retires or leaves the industry. According to the PHI, more than 8.9 million direct care jobs will need to be filled between 2022 and 2032.
Flatrock is actively hiring compassionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. An example, the team once worked with a woman who was selectively mute and had not spoken in some time due to traumatic events in her life. Through the work of Flatrock’s staff, she began to feel comfortable slowly speaking over time. Eventually, she joined our annual talent show and sang a song in front of the entire organization.
The adult foster care industry is evolving quickly, and we’re experiencing touching moments like this one on a daily basis. Read on to learn more about direct care work, the growing demand for skilled caregivers like yourself, and how Flatrock supports our employees with training, career development and a mission-driven work environment.
Growing Demand for Direct Care Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for direct care workers. Now is the best time to become a direct care worker and support vulnerable communities. In 2020, there were 2.28 million adults in the United States with an intellectual or developmental disability and by 2030, an estimated 73 million people in the U.S. will be 65 or older.
Families with loved ones who need daily support seek safe and supportive environments. Due to this increasing need for care and caregivers, organizations are working to attract and retain direct care workers who can help individuals develop life skills, pursue passions, and achieve new milestones. A career as a direct care worker provides an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
Organizations like Flatrock have built supportive work environments for direct care workers, offering hands-on training and higher quality pay. Flatrock helps each resident feel a part of our family where our staff and residents have a lot of fun while learning each day. Whether decorating for an upcoming holiday, visiting a water park, enjoying a summer barbeque, participating in our annual talent show or resident prom events, there is never a dull moment at Flatrock.
How Flatrock Supports its Direct Care Workers
At the heart of Flatrock is the caring and compassionate staff. Each day, our staff creates a sanctuary where our residents feel special and supported through genuine care for their growth and well-being. Flatrock creates a family-like, home environment where each person feels valued, can live fully and achieve their dreams and this wouldn’t be possible without direct care workers.
At Flatrock, we strive to create a positive work environment that reduces stress and improves overall job satisfaction. The behavioral health field can present unique or challenging situations that may require physical intervention. Each member of our team is fully immersed in a comprehensive curriculum to support professional growth in this field and holistic support from leadership. As our CEO Nicholas Burnett spoke to in his interview on Authority Magazine, Flatrock wants to make sure each resident and care worker are able to engage in meaningful activities. A higher number of staff care workers on each shift allow for more positive interactions with our residents. Flatrock training is interactive, engaging and tailored to what will be most impactful for the residents we serve. We understand a classroom setting might not work for this type of environment - instead, we role play potential situations and discuss how things should or should not be handled. Mentorship programs provide on-the-job training so our employees can receive real-time feedback and guidance.
By prioritizing our staff’s physical and emotional well-being, Flatrock maintains a healthy work-life balance and an engaged workforce that provides incredible care to our residents. We create fun, memorable moments with our residents that create bonds for a lifetime. If you’re interested in learning more about a career in direct care work, check out our careers page here to apply.