A company dedicated to in-home seniors care needs more staff to meet increased demand for its services.
Home Instead Seniors Care, which opened its location at 327 Wellington Street last June, is looking to hire a minimum of 15 more caregivers in Sarnia.
Owner Victoria Chalmers said the pandemic has increased the desire to age at home where seniors feel safe and comfortable.
"If there are individuals who are looking to make a difference in someone's life and have a rewarding career, ultimately this hiring drive is to find those individuals so they can join our team," said Chalmers. "We also recognize that there are a lot of people who may be looking for work right now and so we are just wanting to get the word out that if you are the right fit, then we would love to hear from you."
Chalmers said the positions range from part-time, to casual, to on-call.
"We have so many positions available and client needs are constantly increasing, so our need for caregivers is increasing as well. If we could hire a minimum of 15 more caregivers with the special characteristics that we're looking for, that would be a really great success for us."
She said their services are individualized to each client's needs, so they can assist with laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping or they can step in to help give family members, already providing 24-hour care to a loved one, a break.
"We have caregivers that work overnight shifts, we have caregivers that work morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, so it really is a position that you can work if you have another part-time job."
Chalmers said the assumption is that you have to be a personal support worker (PSW) to work for them as a caregiver, but that's not the case.
"There may be people that have worked in the restaurant or the retail industry and have lost their jobs due to the restrictions, and ultimately, there are a lot of transferable skills from those industries. We are a service industry as well. Individuals that have a heart to serve others and a desire to learn and a passion for seniors, those are the strong characteristics for a great caregiver."
Chalmers said initial personal care training is provided, and ongoing training is offered for those looking to work with Alzheimer's and dementia clients.
"Many people are concerned about aspects of the job, such as providing personal care or assistance bathing, because they might not have any experience with that if they're coming from a different industry, and that's okay. Some caregivers start with us and they aren't comfortable with that, and that is okay, because we strive to make the best matches with our caregivers and clients."
She said some caregivers have even received their PSW certificate after their confidence grew.
Chalmers said anyone interested is encouraged to visit the careers section on their website.