We asked Josephine, Care Coordinator at Enablement Care for an insight into her role and what a day as a Care Coordinator looks like. We hope you enjoy the read!
Introduction to Your Role
I would describe myself as a caring, industrious and standards-driven Care Coordinator who is passionate about her job and ensures the highest standards of care are provided.
Over the years, I have experienced various situations that have given me the skills and experience to become a competent Care Coordinator.
I have been able to transition from a healthcare worker to this position through hard work, a proactive approach, effective communication and listening skills. I can easily deal with challenging situations, liaising with service users and their families, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcome for our service users, among other functions.
Finally, I always demonstrate the company’s value in my work and focus intently on providing first-class treatment and care without compromise.
What inspired you to pursue a career in care, and what motivates you in your daily work?
My driving force is primarily because I want a job where I can see the difference my work is having on the people I am serving. I am a people person who has genuine empathy towards others, and the role of a Care Coordinator is having to collaborate with other people.
Being a Care Coordinator is a job that comes with tremendous responsibility, which I enjoy, and you get the opportunity to have a say in how the treatment and care of the residents develops and improves in the healthcare organisation you are a part of.
Daily Routine
Could you describe a typical day for you as a Care Coordinator? What are the main tasks you focus on?
No two days are ever the same, hence our routines are tailored towards how the day has presented. Our daily focus includes, amongst others: assigning tasks to members of staff in supporting residents’ aspect of daily living, medication administration, medication administration, organising GP and hospital appointments and documenting same, liaising with families and other health care professionals about the needs of residents, dealing with concerns, complaints and compliments.
How do you start your day? Is there a specific routine or set of priorities you establish each morning?
Every day has its unique characteristics, and as a Care Coordinator, I go through what we have for the day in the diary, allocate the shift each day and hold caregivers accountable for the safe, person-centred and timely manner in completing allocated tasks.
Working with Residents/Service Users:
What is your process for coordinating care for residents? How do you ensure their needs are met daily?
We assess residents’ needs by checking their medical history in their care plan and current situation, prioritise tasks by starting with the most urgent or important, ensure their needs are met by regularly reviewing nutritional and hydration needs and responding to any changes in people’s needs, as well as communicating with other healthcare professionals to gain their inputs on healthcare plans and keeping accurate records.
Could you share an example of challenging situation you’ve encountered and how you resolved it?
There was a time when a service user and their family had different ideas of the right treatment; I began by making sure everyone understood the case to avoid any possible confusion or misunderstanding. I ensured the resident was fully involved in the discussions because I strongly believe they should have control over their health, well-being, and their plan. Then, I queried this misunderstanding with the GP and asked if there were any alternative options. This helped all parties weigh all the pros and cons of treatment and make the final decision.
Team Collaboration
How do you work with other staff members at Enablement Care? What does team work look like in your role?
I work well with others and value their presence and contributions, communicating effectively with my team members, listening actively, being open to feedback and contributing constructively to the conversation. After all, we all need to be able to work together to succeed. I am also very approachable and always willing to help and support my colleagues when the need arises, without any hesitation.
How do you support and mentor the caregivers you coordinate? What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
My positive working relationships is one important aspect of how I coordinate other caregivers. Also, I support caregivers through effective communication to ensure residents feel comfortable. Being a Care Coordinator is a job that comes with lots of responsibilities, which I enjoy, and you get the opportunity to have a say in how the care and treatment of residents develops and improves in the healthcare organisation I am part of.
Balancing Responsibilities:
As a Care Coordinator, you juggle many responsibilities. How do you manage and prioritise your tasks?
I have a note where I write down my daily to-do list. At the beginning of shift, I jot down the tasks that need to be done and time it needs to be accomplished. Not only does this help my workflow, but it also ensures that I am making progress on the most important tasks of the day.
How do you handle the emotional aspects of your job, especially when dealing with difficult cases?
I deal with stressful situations by remaining calm and composed, and by following my training and the organisations’ policies and procedures and by managing my workload, being acutely aware of the time I have available with each of the service users, and building and maintaining good working relationships with other healthcare professionals.
Personal Growth and Development:
What skills or qualities are essential for someone in your role? How have you developed this overtime.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact well with different kinds of people, excellent verbal and written communication skills, passion for helping people and providing personalised care, strong leadership and management skills and the ability to motivate others, ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and respect for the service users, strong analytical skills and the ability to multi-task, proficiency with the computer and applications.
Can you describe a moment or experience that has significantly impacted your career in care?
The most significant experience in care was when I took up voluntary care for my mother who was diagnosed with stroke. I assisted her with all aspects of daily living, feeding and nutrition, and attending hospital appointments. We later lost her two years into the sickness. However, I found fulfilment in the fact that I was privileged to care for her till she took her last breath.
Looking Ahead:
How do you see your role evolving in the future? Are there any particular goals or ambitions you have for your career in care?
My role as a Care Coordinator is evolving by helping people become more active in their health and care, and assessing people’s changing needs. Currently, I am focused on improving my leadership and time-management skills to manage my team more effectively and meet deadlines.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in care or aspiring to be a Care Coordinator?
My advice to them is to have the skill set for the job. The skills required for this role include, amongst others, communication skills, time management, teamwork, patience, empathy, a positive attitude, gaining relevant work experience, etc.
What do you enjoy most about working at Enablement Care, and what keeps you motivated every day?
The residents’ and colleagues and management team are all fantastic! My motivation each day is seeing how my care makes a difference to people’s lives and makes them happy too. You feel valued when caring for other people and I do get great satisfaction from my job, when I hear positive feedback from residents and families.
Thank you so much for your time Josephine!