Pros
You will never find a job more flexible. Staff is very understanding when I have a home issue I have to miss work for whether it has to do with a death in the family or having to stay home with my grandchild, when his parents cannot. In the past I wanted to volunteer in my child's classroom, my supervisor made my shifts work around the 3 hours I wanted at the school. When I have had issues with payroll or my benefits, I have always received the help to either understand it or fix it. I would say 98% of the time it has been my own misunderstanding as to how they label the paid portion or the deduction. . Their new phone system that was recently put in place to handle caregiver phone calls has made our job easier on the field. I hear from my clients that they're now answered more than ever before. There is now someone to talk to at any point in the day. Office staff do not sound irritated when I call, as they had a tendency to sound like before. They sound much more organized. If I need more hours, all I have to do is call, tell them my time of availability and they will fill my time. It helps if you are willing to work anywhere in Spokane and for those clients most in need of outside contact. If you want to only work in your area, it may take some time to get a permanent position. Fill ins are most always available if they know you are open.
Cons
Our clients often don't know who is covering a shift, if the aide is off, until evening before or day of the shift. We, as a caregiver, mark their calendars as to when we are off. The day prior, we are getting asked if they will have a fill in at which time, I have to call the office.