The top 10 skills and qualities needed for a care manager

There are several responsibilities a care manager will undertake within their role. Here we go through the top 10 skills needed for care managers.

Top 10 skills and qualities a care manager needs:

1 – Resilience

2 – Problem solver

3 – Compassionate

4 – Responsible

5 – Leader

6 – Responsive

7 – A team player

8 – Understanding

9 – Communicator

10 – Listener 

Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover from difficulties and bounce back. When the tough gets going, you cannot getting going.

Problem solving

Sometimes as a care manager there can be problem after problem after problem. This is often because you are supporting and managing so many people with varying needs and abilities. Thinking on your feet is important and an ability to resolve issues is important.

Compassionate

Being compassionate is so important as you are supporting individuals lives. There will be times you may need to have difficult conversations and so compassion should shine through.

Responsible

As a care manager you have a lot of responsibility and therefore you need to be responsible. You are not only responsible for yourself, but for your service users and your staff.

Leader

This one goes without saying. There is a time to be a manager and a time to be a leader. When problems are arising or difficulties within the team, a care manager is the role model. They need to lead their team to success.

Responsive

Not only do you need to be a problem solver and resilient. You also need to be responsive. Responsive to your service users and staff.

Team player

Whether you support a small team or large team, you need to build team relationships. It’s also not just about the staff team, you should all be rooting to provide the best possible care and support to the service users you are supporting.

Understanding

Service users and staff may go through difficulties and so it’s important to be understanding. Work through the difficulties with the staff and ensure they do not feel alone. Very much so like our attitude should be with our service users.

Communicator

A care manager needs to have effective communication skills. They need to be able to provide clear and concise instructions. They also need to ensure their communication is person centred for each individual.

Listening

Similar to being understanding, there is an importance placed on listening skills. You want to have an open door policy or structure where service user, their families and staff can approach you.

If you’ve read this and feel down that you have areas to improve on. Do not worry. We all have strengths and areas to improve on.

And if you are feeling overwhelmed, J. Sidlow Baxter has some wise words: 

“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” 

It can be hard sometimes, but a PMA or positive mental attitude can be just the thing to give us a buzz and take action.

If you’re looking at becoming a care manager, here are some resources:

• Prospects – Care manager role profile – click here
• Skills for Care – Manager – click here 
• The Care Training Company – Our blog – click here

Do you have any other qualities or skills you feel a care manager should have? Comment them below!