Do I need to complete my profile?
Yes, if you want to be hired by a Careseeker, you need to complete your profile. Once that is done, you will be matched with Careseekers looking for Caregivers. No more reply to job postings. Look for emails indicating a Careseeker or their Administrator wants to connect with you. That is the first step in getting a job.
What should I charge for my services?
Depending on your experience and the demands of the Careseeker, you should charge between $12/hr and $15/hr for companion care. In some instances, an experienced CNA (Certified Nurse’s Assistant) can make upwards of $20/hr to perform certain duties. Rates also vary depending on what part of the country you live.
What if I do not have a checking account?
This is not a problem as we have links to two free online checking accounts: Bluebird and Ally Bank. Visit either of these for more information on line on how to create a FREE checking account which you will need to be hired in our system.
Whom do I work for?
When a Careseeker hires you, you work for them directly. They are your employer and will give you a W-2. You work for the Careseeker NOT Keep Safe Care Direct.
Who do I call if I become sick or am unable to come to work?
The person you are giving care to is your employer and you should call them or a family member who is managing their care immediately if you are unable to come to work. It is important for the safety of your care recipient so they can get another Caregiver in your absence. In addition, you should contact your Careseeker (employer) and advise them on handling your absence and anything you can do to help the person you are giving care to in order to help find another Caregiver to fill in for you during your absence.
How do I search for a job?
You do not! We do not post jobs, but instead use a sophisticated matching algorithm to match you with Careseekers in your area. If a Careseeker, or a Careseeker Administrator, likes you, they will first want to connect with you. This begins the hiring process. Not all Careseekers will offer you a job, but connecting in the first step.
How can I contact a Careseeker?
You can only contact a Careseeker who has contacted you through the Keep Safe Care Direct system. You will get an email indicating a Careseeker or their Administrator wants to connect with you. You can click on the email link, or go to your account and look under Careseekers and “Accept Connections” for any pending connection requests.
How can a Careseeker contact me?
Only connected Careseekers or their Admins can contact you. If a Careseeker contacts you, you will get an email indicating that a Careseeker or their Administrator has messaged you via email. It is recommended that you respond to all Careseeker messages through the Keep Safe Care Direct messaging system. A record of all your messages will be stored for your protection.
How do I respond to an interview request?
Interview requests will be emailed to you. Upon receiving one, click on the link in the email. You will need to be logged into your Keep Safe Care Direct account to accept or modify the interview request. Upon doing so, you will be taken directly to the interview request dialog on your account. Any interview requests you have pending will be under your “Connected Careseekers” when you navigate to ‘Careseekers” on the navigation menu.
Will I need a background check?
You must be able to pass a criminal background check. Every Careseeker who hires you through our system will require you to submit to a background screening prior to working for them. Remember, they are your potential employer, and have the right to review your background, credit history, references, and request a drug screen. The Careseeker will pay for this, but you must first consent to the check. Do not bother creating an account if you feel you cannot pass a criminal background check easily.
Who orders a background check?
The Careseeker will order and pay for the background check once your consent is given to perform one as part of the job offer.
How does a Careseeker hire me?
First a Careseeker or their Admin must initiate contact and you and you need to accept the connection via our network to start the hiring process. You will get an email when a connection request is initiated. Next, you might get some messages back and for prior to getting a request for an interview via our network. If a Careseeker wants to hire you, you will receive an email with instructions on how to accept, decline or modify the job offer. All responses will need to be done on line, and you will need to agree to the wage and weekly hours.
How do I respond to a job offer?
If Careseeker wants to hire you, you both will have to agree upon the hourly wage, and the weekly schedule of work. Once that is done, a Careseeker Administrator will make a job offer and you will get an email. To response to the job offer, click on the link in the email (you will have to log into your account). If you accept the offer, you will need to confirm you work schedule with your Careseeker who is now your employer. If you decline, please enclose a message as to why you declined the offer as a courtesy. Of course, if something is missing or needs correcting on the offer, you can ask for a modification. All pending Job Offers will be under you “Connected Careseekers” tab.
Can I work for more than one Careseeker?
Yes, you can work for as many Careseekers as you wish, and ask for a different hourly rate (which would be dependent on the services and care required, the day(s) of the week, and if it is a holiday or not). Of course, you cannot work for two Careseekers at the same time unless their accounts are “joined.” Note: You will have a background check requested by every Careseeker that hires you.
Can I charge more for working weekends and holidays for the same Careseeker?
Yes you can. You can actually charge different rates at different times of the week, say for early hours or late nights. These rates of course will need to be approved by your Careseeker or their Administrator.
When do I get paid?
You get paid on a weekly basis if you submit your work hours by 11:59:59 on Sunday night. You will get an automatic electronic transfer into your bank account 1 to 3 days after the Careseeker has approved your work hours (time sheet). Careseekers are given a 48-hour review period to resolve any possible disputes on hours worked. At the latest, you will get a deposit no later than the Friday after the end of the work week upon submission and approval of the weekly time sheet. Time cards submitted after 11:59:59 on the Sunday of the workweek could be delayed into the next payroll cycle.
What if I do not get paid?
To minimize this from ever happening, we pre-authorize Careseeker’s credit cards prior to payment. Still, if a Careseeker fails to pay us, we cannot pay you. Because the Careseeker is your employer, if they fail to pay you, please contact your State’s Employment Commission. Most states offer free services to secure payment for unpaid wages. Keep Safe Care Direct will contact you and your employer upon a failure to pay, and we will do everything in our power to ensure payment. As a precaution, you should stop working for that Careseeker immediately. If you have any questions concerning payment, you can contact Keep Safe Care Direct.
What if there is a dispute?
Disputes are rare, but when they do happen and it is not resolved by midnight Tuesday, you will not receive a payment for that workweek. To avoid disputes, check and confirm the hours you worked every day. It is up to you to manage your work hours with your employer prior to this and only you have the power to rectify the dispute. Once a dispute is resolved, the payment will be processed the same as a workweek payment. Any dispute has to be resolved between you and your Careseeker.
What are unresolved work hours?
Unresolved work hours are either Disputed or Overdue. Disputed work hours are where the Caregiver and Careseeker cannot agree on the hours worked within a 1-week billing cycle. Overdue work hours are where a Careseeker has failed to approve the weekly hours worked which were submitted by a Caregiver within the normal approval cycle.
What are overdue work hours?
Overdue work hours are where a Careseeker has failed to approve the weekly hours worked which were submitted by a Caregiver within the normal approval cycle, the cutoff is 11:59:59 Tuesday night for a Careseeker to approve hours that were submitted by 11:59:59 Sunday night. Otherwise, if hours submitted late are allowed a 48-hour window of approval before becoming overdue.