Health Care Assistant Summary
*Sponsorship available (In Country Candidates)*
Job description:
We are looking for reliable Domiciliary health Care assistant workers who are professional and dedicated to delivering high quality care to work in the Bath Area.
The requirements for the position are:
Previous experience as a health care assistant worker for 2 years
English language proficiency
Valid driving licence
Currently living in UK
Passion for delivering patient centered care
What We Offer:
Sponsorship available (In Country Candidates)
No accommodation available
Full Time Contract
Opportunities for career progression
Competitive salary
Immigration services & visa assistance
Applicants must be located in the UK.
We strive to provide a highly skilled recruitment service to our clients, whilst offering constructive career guidance to all our candidates.
Closing Date: 20 September 2025
FAQs on Dom Health Care Assistant
General Role and Responsibilities
Q1: What is a domiciliary health care assistant?
A domiciliary health care assistant provides personal care, support, and medical assistance to individuals in their own homes, rather than in a hospital or care facility. This includes helping with daily activities, administering medication (under supervision), monitoring health, and promoting independence. The role emphasizes compassion, reliability, and respect for privacy.
A domiciliary health care assistant provides personal care, support, and medical assistance to individuals in their own homes, rather than in a hospital or care facility. This includes helping with daily activities, administering medication (under supervision), monitoring health, and promoting independence. The role emphasizes compassion, reliability, and respect for privacy.
Q2: What are the main duties of a domiciliary health care assistant?
Key duties include assisting with personal hygiene (e.g., bathing, dressing), meal preparation and feeding, mobility support (e.g., using walkers), light housekeeping, medication reminders, vital sign checks, and emotional support. Duties vary by client needs and must comply with care plans set by qualified nurses or doctors.
Key duties include assisting with personal hygiene (e.g., bathing, dressing), meal preparation and feeding, mobility support (e.g., using walkers), light housekeeping, medication reminders, vital sign checks, and emotional support. Duties vary by client needs and must comply with care plans set by qualified nurses or doctors.
Q3: How does domiciliary care differ from residential or hospital care?
Domiciliary care allows clients to stay in their familiar home environment, promoting comfort and reducing stress. Unlike residential care (in group homes) or hospital care (institutional and medical-focused), it’s more flexible and personalized but requires caregivers to travel between clients’ homes, often working independently.Qualifications and Training.
Domiciliary care allows clients to stay in their familiar home environment, promoting comfort and reducing stress. Unlike residential care (in group homes) or hospital care (institutional and medical-focused), it’s more flexible and personalized but requires caregivers to travel between clients’ homes, often working independently.Qualifications and Training.
Q4: What qualifications do I need to become a domiciliary health care assistant?
Requirements vary by country: In the UK, a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care is common, plus a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. In the US, a high school diploma and certification from a state-approved program (e.g., via the National Association for Home Care & Hospice) are typical. Basic first aid/CPR certification is often mandatory. No degree is usually required, but experience in caregiving helps.
Requirements vary by country: In the UK, a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care is common, plus a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. In the US, a high school diploma and certification from a state-approved program (e.g., via the National Association for Home Care & Hospice) are typical. Basic first aid/CPR certification is often mandatory. No degree is usually required, but experience in caregiving helps.
Q5: Is formal training required, and how long does it take?
Yes, most employers require training in areas like infection control, safeguarding, and dementia care. Programs can take 4-12 weeks, often combining classroom learning with on-the-job shadowing. Ongoing training (e.g., annual refreshers) is essential to maintain skills and comply with regulations like HIPAA (US) or GDPR (UK) for data privacy.
Yes, most employers require training in areas like infection control, safeguarding, and dementia care. Programs can take 4-12 weeks, often combining classroom learning with on-the-job shadowing. Ongoing training (e.g., annual refreshers) is essential to maintain skills and comply with regulations like HIPAA (US) or GDPR (UK) for data privacy.
Q6: Can I work as a domiciliary health care assistant without experience?
Many agencies hire entry-level candidates and provide training. However, prior experience in childcare, eldercare, or hospitality can be advantageous. Starting as a volunteer or in a related role (e.g., retail customer service) can build relevant skills like communication and empathy.Daily Work and Challenges
Many agencies hire entry-level candidates and provide training. However, prior experience in childcare, eldercare, or hospitality can be advantageous. Starting as a volunteer or in a related role (e.g., retail customer service) can build relevant skills like communication and empathy.Daily Work and Challenges
Q7: What does a typical day look like for a domiciliary health care assistant?
A day might involve 4-8 hour shifts, visiting 2-6 clients. You’d start with travel to the first home, perform tasks like assisting with breakfast and medication, monitor health changes, and document everything in a care log. Breaks are short, and evenings/weekends may be needed for shift work. Flexibility is key due to traffic or client emergencies.
A day might involve 4-8 hour shifts, visiting 2-6 clients. You’d start with travel to the first home, perform tasks like assisting with breakfast and medication, monitor health changes, and document everything in a care log. Breaks are short, and evenings/weekends may be needed for shift work. Flexibility is key due to traffic or client emergencies.
Q8: How do I handle difficult situations, like a client refusing care?
Use person-centered approaches: Communicate calmly, explain benefits, and involve family or supervisors if needed. De-escalation techniques from training (e.g., active listening) are vital. Always prioritize safety—report incidents to your agency and follow protocols to avoid abuse or neglect claims. If a client has dementia, patience and redirection strategies help.
Use person-centered approaches: Communicate calmly, explain benefits, and involve family or supervisors if needed. De-escalation techniques from training (e.g., active listening) are vital. Always prioritize safety—report incidents to your agency and follow protocols to avoid abuse or neglect claims. If a client has dementia, patience and redirection strategies help.
Q9: What are common challenges in domiciliary care, and how can I overcome them?
Challenges include isolation (working alone), physical demands (lifting clients), emotional burnout, and unpredictable schedules. Overcome them by maintaining work-life balance, seeking peer support, using ergonomic tools for lifting, and accessing agency counseling. Time management apps can help with travel between visits.Legal and Ethical Considerations
Challenges include isolation (working alone), physical demands (lifting clients), emotional burnout, and unpredictable schedules. Overcome them by maintaining work-life balance, seeking peer support, using ergonomic tools for lifting, and accessing agency counseling. Time management apps can help with travel between visits.Legal and Ethical Considerations
Q10: What legal responsibilities do domiciliary health care assistants have?
You must adhere to laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act (UK) or OSHA standards (US) for safe practices. This includes proper hand hygiene to prevent infections, accurate record-keeping, and reporting abuse or neglect. Confidentiality is crucial—never share client details without consent. Liability insurance is often provided by employers.
You must adhere to laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act (UK) or OSHA standards (US) for safe practices. This includes proper hand hygiene to prevent infections, accurate record-keeping, and reporting abuse or neglect. Confidentiality is crucial—never share client details without consent. Liability insurance is often provided by employers.
Q11: How do I ensure client privacy and dignity in a home setting?
Always knock before entering, obtain consent for tasks, and respect cultural/religious preferences. Use gloves for hygiene tasks, close doors for private activities, and avoid personal items. Ethical codes (e.g., from the International Federation of Home Care Organizations) emphasize empowerment, not dependency.
Always knock before entering, obtain consent for tasks, and respect cultural/religious preferences. Use gloves for hygiene tasks, close doors for private activities, and avoid personal items. Ethical codes (e.g., from the International Federation of Home Care Organizations) emphasize empowerment, not dependency.
Q12: What should I do if I suspect abuse or neglect?
Immediately report to your supervisor, agency, or authorities (e.g., Adult Protective Services in the US or local safeguarding teams in the UK). Document facts without speculation. Training covers recognizing signs like unexplained injuries or poor hygiene—never investigate alone to avoid compromising evidence.Employment and Career Development
Immediately report to your supervisor, agency, or authorities (e.g., Adult Protective Services in the US or local safeguarding teams in the UK). Document facts without speculation. Training covers recognizing signs like unexplained injuries or poor hygiene—never investigate alone to avoid compromising evidence.Employment and Career Development
Q13: How do I find a job as a domiciliary health care assistant?
Apply through agencies like Home Instead (US/UK) or local councils. Job sites like Indeed or Care.com list openings. Prepare a CV highlighting soft skills (e.g., empathy) and any certifications. Interviews often include scenario-based questions to assess suitability.
Apply through agencies like Home Instead (US/UK) or local councils. Job sites like Indeed or Care.com list openings. Prepare a CV highlighting soft skills (e.g., empathy) and any certifications. Interviews often include scenario-based questions to assess suitability.
Q14: What is the typical salary and work hours?
Salaries vary: In the US, $12-18/hour (median ~$15); in the UK, £9-12/hour (median ~£10.50). Full-time roles are 35-40 hours/week, but part-time/flexible shifts are common. Overtime pay applies for extra hours, and benefits may include pensions or mileage reimbursement for travel.
Salaries vary: In the US, $12-18/hour (median ~$15); in the UK, £9-12/hour (median ~£10.50). Full-time roles are 35-40 hours/week, but part-time/flexible shifts are common. Overtime pay applies for extra hours, and benefits may include pensions or mileage reimbursement for travel.
Q15: How can I advance my career in domiciliary care?
Gain experience, then pursue higher qualifications like a nursing assistant certification or specialized training in palliative care. Roles can progress to senior caregiver, care coordinator, or registered nurse with further education. Networking through professional bodies (e.g., Home Care Association of America) opens doors.
Gain experience, then pursue higher qualifications like a nursing assistant certification or specialized training in palliative care. Roles can progress to senior caregiver, care coordinator, or registered nurse with further education. Networking through professional bodies (e.g., Home Care Association of America) opens doors.
To apply for this job please visit findajob.dwp.gov.uk.