palliative care work

[hotfemail]

i worked in care management for 29 years but foolishly never took the opportunity to gain any qualifications. i left a few years ago to start a family business but i miss that kind of work. i am interested in palliative care and am going to make enquiries at college about evening courses in care which may be appropriate. anyone got any suggestions what else i could do to better my chances ? thankyou

[beryllium]

Hi Hotfemail :)
I used to work for a charity based care org. called Crossroads. We also worked alongside Macmillan.
I looked after very unwell kids and babies aswell as adults with various diseases and cancers.
Not all of them were palliative, but by god it was a wonderful job.
I had NO qualifications at all to work in this, I went to an interview and one of the questions was...

If one of you clients loses bladder control for the first time. What would be your reaction?

My answer got me the job.

My first client? an M.S patient whom was bedridden. This was a 2 careworker job as it required harnesses, slip sheets, bedbaths and cleaning up excretia. Emptying the catheter bag and generally getting them out of bed.
One of my favourite clients ever!!! but if I think about all of them that I cared for? they were all my favourites lol!!!

I lost one who had cancer of the face. He had no real face left. A hole where they had removed his nose and top part of the lips... that needed packing and cleaning.
I remeber being told of his death and I said to my boss I would go home and take a minute if that was alright. I cried. I still have fond memories of him.

I could write a thousand of these memories.

It is an incredible job and you are trained on the job at NVQ Level.

See if you have a Crossroads Caring For Carers in your area.

Good Luck.

B.

[hotfemail]

thanks hun

x

[cruella]

Apart from Nursing, you could lways call your local Social Work Department. They employ Social Care Workers who help people in their own homes with personal care.
This can range from young to the elderly.
Or, you can always apply for a job as a Care in a Nursing Home.
Good Luck.

[tryandhelp]

Why not try and look into 'fostering', that way you gain an income and receive training that is paid for by the agency or Council. You have many skills that would be ideal for this role.