Our Hiring and On-boarding Process
Step 1: Start an application
You can apply online here. Complete as much of the application that you are able to. At a minimum we need your name and contact details so that one of our interviewers can follow up with you. We will contact you to set up a phone-interview and ask you to complete the detailed application before the interview.
Step 2: Phone interview
The phone interview gives both of us a chance to get to know each other’s needs and requirements at a high level. We can clarify whether our opening suits your interests and whether your skills and background fit our current needs. We will want to find out a bit more about you than can be captured on an application, such as:
- What first motivated you to become a caregiver?
- What kinds of skills, abilities, and caregiving certifications do you hold, if any?
- Why did you choose to apply at Right at Home Northwest?
- What would an ideal caregiving job look like from your perspective?
- How many hours per week are you looking for?
- What are your desired/required earnings per week?
Step 3: In-person interview
The in-person interview gives us a chance to see how you present yourself. A basic competency exam is given so that we can assess your basic care knowledge. Most in-person interviews are conducted at one of our three offices in Bellingham, Mount Vernon, or Oak Harbor. Of course, given the range of our service territories across five counties, we may arrange the in person interview at a mutually agreed location.
Step 4: Background and reference check
As required by the State of Washington, all professional Caregivers must undergo a fingerprint-based background check. We also ask for at least two professional references that will vouch for your character, work ethic, and reliability.
Step 5: Complete employment paperwork
The rest of the employment paperwork can be completed at the applicant’s convenience and submitted electronically. If the applicant needs additional assistance with these forms they may complete them in one of our offices.
Step 6: New employee orientation and safety training
Orientation and Safety Training sessions are held twice a month in one of our three offices and last 3-4hrs depending on the number of participants and their experience levels.
Step 7: Preparing your for your first client
One goal of our scheduling team is to find the right match between clients and our Care Associates. When staffing a new Care Associate the schedulers take into consideration the Care Associates’ skills, experience, temperament, personality, and availability as well as the client’s needs and preferences. Initially, we place priority on getting you working so that we can see what we both like and don’t like. Often, a new Care Associate will leave Orientation with their first weeks’ schedule in hand. The matching fit takes higher priority once we have gotten to know you better.
Step 8: Following up to fine tune the relationship
We want to find out how those first client assignments are working out, both for you and our clients. To support that, we gather and exchange feedback and fine-tune the matching to find better fits as they become available.