Profession companion

Companions perform housekeeping duties and meal preparation for the people they assist on their own premises such as elderly people or people with special needs or who suffer from an illness. They also provide entertainment activities such as playing cards or reading stories. They may do shopping activities as well as punctual transportation to doctor's appointments, etc.

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Personality Type

• Social / Realistic

Related professions personal care

• Aged care services manager
• First line supervisor of personal care workers
• Handicapped care services manager
• Personal carer in an institution for psychiatric patients
• Personal carer in an institution for the elderly
• Personal carer in an institution for the handicapped
• Personal carer in private homes
• Pharmacy assistant (semi-skilled)
• Psychiatric care services manager

Skills

• Prepare sandwiches

  Make filled and open sandwiches, paninis and kebabs.

• Make the beds

  Clean sheets, turn mattresses, plump pillows and change cushions.

• Use food preparation techniques

  Apply food preparation techniques including the selecting, washing, cooling, peeling, marinating, preparing of dressings and cutting of ingredients.

• Keep company

  Be with people to do stuff together, such as talking, playing games or having a drink.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Use cooking techniques

  Apply cooking techniques including grilling, frying, boiling, braising, poaching, baking or roasting.

• Clean rooms

  Clean rooms by cleaning glasswork and windows, polishing furniture, vacuuming carpets, scrubing hard floors, and removing garbage.

• Relate empathetically

  Recognise, understand and share emotions and insights experienced by another.

• Clean surfaces

  Disinfect surfaces in accordance with sanitary standards.

• Accompany people

  Chaperon individuals on trips, to events or appointments or to go shopping.

• Iron textiles

  Press and iron in order to shape or flatten textiles giving them their final finishing appearance. Iron by hand or with steam pressers.

• Prepare ready-made dishes

  Get ready for serving snacks and sandwiches or heat up ready-made bar products if requested.

• Wash the laundry

  Wash or clean clothes by hand or by use of a washing machine.

• Empathise with the healthcare user

  Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.

• Show social competences

  Ability to interact effectively with other people.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB