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For the people cared for and supported by HealthCare NZ, support workers have an incredibly important part to play allowing them to live well in their own homes and communities. Below you can find essential information about what takes to be a support worker, why so many people choose this fulfilling profession, and what kind of career opportunities are available today for those considering taking on support work with HealthCare NZ.

What Does a Support Worker Do?

Support workers provide people with the care and support they need to live as well and independently as possible. The specifics will look a little different for each of the people we support, but it’s always in service of upholding their wellbeing and overall quality of life. This might take the form of helping with daily tasks, assisting individuals with personal care, or supporting them to attend various activities or social events.

Types of Support Worker Jobs

There are several key aspects to support work, which lends itself to different support worker roles and focuses:

Personal Care Assistants: Usually working one-on-one, support workers with this focus provide tailored assistance with personal care and hygiene.

Residential Support Workers: This type of support worker role takes place in a residential care setting, caring for multiple people we support, enabling them to be as independent as possible with their daily routines and activities.

Community Support Workers: This type of support worker job is focused on working within a community setting, caring for those we support in their own homes and enabling them to remain a vital part of their wider community.

Support work is varied, with each day bringing different joys and challenges – but typical day for a New Zealand support worker could include:

  • Preparing simple meals
  • Helping with medication management
  • Enabling social engagements and activities
  • Going to appointments with those we support
  • Assisting with morning and evening routines

Support Worker Requirements

It’s not difficult to become a support worker, but there are a few things that make a real difference for those looking to pursue this kind of career:

Qualifications

HealthCare NZ makes it easy to prepare yourself for becoming a Support Worker. Our partner organisation MySkill offers a free training and job placement programme which will give you all the training and qualifications you need for the job.

Personal Characteristics

Compassionate and empathetic: Having the ability to understand and accept the feelings of those we support is key to building personal rapport and trust.

Physically capable: Depending on type of work you’re doing, a support worker role can be physically demanding so a decent level of physical fitness and capability is recommended.

Patient: Patience and understanding are key attributes for a successful support worker, allowing them to handle challenging situations with grace and composure.

Soft Skills

Good time management: Being able to manage multiple appointments and duties efficiently allows us to give timely care to the people we support.

Strong communication abilities: Having the ability to communicate sensitively, clearly, and effectively with our fellow kaimahi and the people we support is key to success in this type of role.

An effective problem-solver: Resourcefully and efficiently troubleshooting problems as they arise will give you an important edge in a role that presents fresh joys and challenges every day.

Benefits of Being a Support Worker

Jumping into the world of being a support worker comes with a whole variety of benefits. With a steady demand for support worker roles in New Zealand, job security is one of the most obvious big benefits, but that’s not the only reason to pivot to this career. This is a job that makes a genuine daily difference to individuals and local communities – you can finish each shift with the satisfaction that you’ve made the world just that little bit better. There’s also the opportunity to upskill and specialise, with further training available to expand and deepen your support worker skillset.

Support Worker Employers in New Zealand

Who could you work for as a support worker? There are a few different kinds of organisations which regularly employ those looking for support worker jobs:

Private Individuals: Some support workers deliver tailored care to one person, allowing them to focus entirely on their particular needs and requirements.

Healthcare Providers: Organisations such as HealthCare NZ and Geneva Healthcare employ thousands of support workers, providing an employment environment where structured support is available for all employees.

Community Service Organisations: Working within these kind of establishments will have support workers offering a variety of services in a community setting.

Find Support Worker Jobs Now

If you’re ready to start looking for support worker roles right now, head to our Careers page to see regularly updated list of available support worker type jobs through HealthCare NZ and our partner health organisations in New Zealand.

Support Worker FAQs

How do I apply to become a support worker?

HealthCare NZ can guide you through the whole process, which usually includes:

  • Submitting a resume
  • Attending an interview
  • Undergoing background checks

Is a support worker role right for me?

To get a better idea of what the job involves, you could look into volunteering in a care setting or finding a support worker who you could shadow – but if the following attributes sound like you, a career in support work could be perfect for you:

  • Passionate about helping others
  • Physically and emotionally resilient
  • A great communicator

What career progression opportunities exist for support workers?

There are plenty of chances for career progression within the varied world of support work. You could do additional training to specialise, or move into a supervisory position.


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