It’s important to find someone that can get along with older adults and also provide exceptional services. But the hiring process can be very challenging, especially for people who have never hired anyone before. That’s why we have come up with this guide containing 7 easy steps to hire a caregiver personally. So, without any further ado, let’s jump into it.
1. Clarify Everything in the JD (Job Description)
Writing everything that you want from a caregiver is imperative. In order to come up with a perfect job description, consider thinking about all the needs of the older adult and all the tasks that the caregiver is supposed to perform. This way, only those people that are willing to perform all the required tasks will apply for the job, which will save both parties a lot of time and effort.
2. Fair Pay and Flexibility
People who want to hire a caregiver from an agency will have to pay a fixed salary. On the other hand, if you’re planning to hire a caregiver independently, it’s important to offer a fair salary and expect to increase it a little. It will increase the chances that the candidates with more experience and expertise will apply. Consider surveying your area to find out the average pay rate to make sure what you’re offering is not too less or too high.
3. Pay Legally
Many people pay their hired caregiver by cash that undoubtedly allows them to save some money. That’s because they don’t have to pay employment taxes this way. But the fact of the matter is that it’s not a good practice, and we won’t recommend you to do the same. That’s because if the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) audits your caregiver, it can cost you a whole lot of money. The best way is to consult with an accountant to pay the caregiver legally.
4. Interview Multiple People Multiple Times
Interviewing only one candidate for once is not enough. We recommend you to interview multiple candidates multiple times to make the right decision. Consider following the steps below to make sure that you hire the best caregiver.
- Conduct a brief telephonic interview to ensure that a certain caregiver meets all the basic requirements.
- Call all the candidates who pass the telephonic interview for an in-person interview.
- After the in-person interview, let each candidate meet your older adult to see if they have any natural chemistry.
5. Ask Everything During Interview
It’s better to ask candidates as many questions as you can during the interview, such as their previous work experience, education, interests, etc. It will allow you to understand if they are compassionate, trustworthy, and responsible, or not.
6. Check References
It’s important to call all the references for each candidate to check their reliability and background. It’s also advisable to check their criminal records to see if they’re clean or not. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that your older adult is with someone trustworthy.
7. Sign the Employment Contract
Never hire a caregiver without a proper and comprehensive employment contract. It doesn’t have to be complex, but it must contain all the terms and conditions of employment on which both you and the caregiver must agree.
Final Word
These are the 7 steps for hiring a caregiver personal for your older adult. If you’re someone who’s looking for a caregiver job, make sure that you get yourself ready for the criteria mentioned above. Most probably, anyone hiring a caregiver will go through the same steps.
