Everybody’s good with technology nowadays, aren’t they? We use digital devices and systems so frequently now, it’s easy to assume that we’re all using them effectively.
But with technology now so vital in care provision, it’s an assumption that managers can’t afford to make – and one that could affect career development and the experience of the individuals you care for.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at:
- Which digital skills care home workers need (and why)
- How to identify the digital learning needs of your care team
- And how online learning helps care home workers upskill.
But first…
How important are digital skills for care home workers?
In a word, fundamental. What may have sounded like a scene from science fiction just 20 years ago is now commonplace in the average care home worker’s day. From bed and movement monitors to fall prevention systems and medication management software – a huge range of technology became vital to the care sector at astonishing speed.
And it’s only going to keep arriving.
But if these devices and systems are vital (and they are), it’s because they’re used by human beings who deploy them with skill, experience, patience, empathy – and more.
And that’s why it is essential that care home staff are digitally capable and confident. A lack of either quality can limit both their career and care-providing potential.
So, what are the essential digital skills for care home workers?
The digital skills care home workers need (and why)
Broadly speaking, having high levels of digital skill and confidence allows your care home employees to do two essential things:
- Perform the fundamental tasks of their day-to-day roles
- Identify ways technology could improve residents’ lives
Let’s consider the huge number of tasks and scenarios these two points could cover. In any given shift, for example, a care home worker might use a digital device to:
- Check and update residents’ social care records
- Communicate with colleagues or residents’ families
- Search online for answers to common questions
- Find internal policy and procedure information
- Connect a resident with family members online
- Help a resident find online communities around a special interest.
In these situations and others, the effective use of technology opens up opportunities to provide better and more impactful care. But ‘effective’ is the key word here.
If your care home staff find their digital assistants more frustrating than friendly, the home and its residents won’t enjoy the benefit of that technology’s full potential.
To get a basic understanding of your team’s digital abilities, for example, you might start by finding out whether employees know how to:
- adjust device and account settings to their usability preferences
- troubleshoot IT problems, or who to contact for help
- stay safe and compliant with internal and data protection policies.
Are you unsure of your team’s digital confidence levels?
It’s time to run a digital skills gap analysis.
How to find digital skills gaps in your care home
With new digital devices and systems entering the care sector all the time, keeping your team tech-savvy will be an ongoing job.
But start by identifying and filling your urgent skill gaps, before making a longer-term plan that addresses the future needs of your care home, team and residents.
1. Define the digital skills each role needs (or might need)
Make a list of the technology currently in use in each role – from CPD-certified care workers to cooks, housekeepers, activity workers, maintenance teams and finance officers.
Aim to answer the following questions:
- What devices and systems are being used in this role today?
- Which tasks or activities involve the use of something digital?
- What new technologies are we planning to introduce?
- What new hires, role changes or promotions are we planning?
This will help you understand the digital skills each person needs to be successful in their role today, and the training they’ll need to pursue their future career development.
2. Identify the skills you have within the team
Assessing our own strengths and weaknesses can be tricky, but self-appraisal is a good place to start. You could ask your employee to take a digital skills survey or quiz, or use a regular 1-2-1 session to talk exclusively about job-related tech.
Other common ways to assess someone’s digital competency might include asking their peers for their feedback, or setting a real-world challenge and observing as they solve it.
3. Schedule training and learning opportunities
Once you’ve identified your digital skills gaps, the next step is to try to close them. This could mean enrolling employees on formal digital skills training, either in-person or online.
Equally, it could involve informal methods such as self study or peer-to-peer demonstrations. The right approach will be tailored to both the individual and the skill being learned.
FuturU’s online training for care home workers
The FuturU online learning platform is designed to bring all the benefits of e-learning to care organisations like yours – from cost savings to greater employee engagement.
Our story-led training courses equip healthcare workers with the practical skills they need in real-world scenarios – all from the convenience of their own laptop or mobile phone.
Looking to deliver more engaging healthcare training that saves you money, lets you assign courses and track progress?
