care worker job description

Some of the typical tasks of a care worker include: assisting with personal care: as a care worker, you help patients manage their personal care. Some of your duties in personal care involve helping them shower, dress or eat. Assisting your patients with basic activities helps them become independent. managing illnesses: if your client has a chronic medical condition, you ensure they follow the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor. You also organise their appointments and ensure they take medicine on time. domestic duties: when you provide services in private homes, your duties may extend to household chores. For instance, your employer may expect you to cook and clean the premises to maintain a healthy environment. companionship and emotional support: as a care worker, you spend most of the time with your patients, so building rapport is important. Most patients with serious illnesses feel isolated, and you provide emotional support to help them feel safe. shopping and completing errands: when you provide care at home, you assist your clients with house chores. That includes writing shopping lists for groceries and household items. If the client has mobility challenges, you go shopping and assist with other errands, like picking up prescriptions or collecting their mail.

As a care home manager, you work in residential or nursing care homes. Sometimes, you work in mental health facilities or children's residential care. You can work for local council facilities or not-for-profit organisations offering care home facilities in mining communities. You are likely to spend many hours in the office completing your administrative duties. You also visit residents and staff in a care home setting. Some roles require live-in arrangements, especially if patients need 24/7 care. Your work environment is usually physically and emotionally demanding.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include nutritionists , occupational therapists and personal care assistants. You might also be working in close proximity to pharmacists and general nurses , as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, housekeepers , mental health nurses, and care home managers.

Although you work in shifts, your week equals the length of a full-time position. There is no average shift length because so many variables are at play. Some employers offer flexible hours, so working part-time is a sustainable solution if you're balancing study or another job. Sometimes, you work nights and weekends when engaged in one-to-one or at-home care. Family members' schedules also impact your work time, an example being childcare roles. Keep in mind that some at-home carers work 24-hour shifts so that they can adequately accommodate their client.

Becoming a care worker opens doors to many careers in social work and the healthcare industry. For instance, you can seek training or specialisation in specific aspects of care, like dementia or autism. You will find opportunities in specialist hospices after obtaining additional certifications. Alternatively, improve your qualifications and gain more work experience to progress in the same career path. You can become a lead care worker, join the managerial team, and become a care home manager. Some care workers become specialists in the sector and provide consultancy services.

advantages of finding a care worker job through randstad

Finding your care worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a care worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

how much do care workers get paid in Australia?

As a care worker, you make an average of $59,475 annually. The earnings fluctuate based on your experience and educational qualifications. For instance, in an entry-level role, you start with a salary of $53,625 per year since you have minimal experience and skills. The most experienced care workers make over $89,745 yearly.

what are the main duties of a care worker?

As a care worker, you provide client-centred care for clients in their homes or residential facilities. You assist clients with domestic tasks, like cleaning, preparing meals and administering medication. You also maintain good relationships with the patients and offer emotional support.

what are the qualifications for a care worker?

To work as a care worker, you require educational qualifications in individual or disability support. Your knowledge of administering medication may be useful in helping patients with chronic illnesses. Having first-aid training and understanding health and safety guidelines is also important to keep clients safe.

what do aged care workers do?

As an aged care worker, you help seniors with grooming and other basic tasks. You also help them maintain their treatment plans and run errands, like shopping or picking up their mail.

what skills does a care worker need?

As a care worker, you need compassion and empathy to help clients. Your communication skills are also handy for explaining complications to patients and their families.

how do I apply for a care worker vacancy?

Applying for a care worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here .

care worker

what is a care worker?

Care workers provide essential assistance across various contexts, from care facilities to personal and in-home settings. Their duties range from maintaining hygiene and monitoring health to managing daily affairs for clients, including those with disabilities, substance abuse recovery needs, and elderly individuals.

Their responsibilities may vary based on the setting. Some care workers support families caring for loved ones, while others focus on childcare, addressing emotional and practical needs. They also plan activities and offer guidance in coordination with healthcare professionals.

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average care worker salary

The average remuneration package of a care worker in Australia is $59,475 annually. When starting in the role, your remuneration package is $53,625 per year. With experience and additional qualifications, your earnings increase gradually, and you can take home over $89,745 yearly.

how to increase your earnings as a care worker

Various factors influence the remuneration package of care workers. For instance, your work hours determine your earnings. When you work full-time or night shifts, your remuneration package is higher than that of part-time care workers. Your expertise and qualifications also influence your remuneration package. When you have experience working with patients suffering from chronic illnesses or disabilities, you attract a higher salary.

The patients you care for also determine your earnings. For instance, working in a care home for older people attracts a different salary than working in people's homes. The complexity of your duties and your work hours in the facility determine your earning potential. Sick patients require care workers with additional qualifications to provide sufficient care. Hence, the remuneration package is higher compared to care workers who handle simple tasks when supporting patients.

Want to know what you will earn as a care worker? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.

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types of care workers

The types of care workers depend on the area of specialisation. You can provide personal care to patients in hospitals or their homes. Some care workers specialise in specific types of patients, like seniors, patients with terminal illnesses, or people with disabilities. As an aged care worker, you provide care to seniors. You work in residential care facilities or people's homes to provide personal care to aged adults. You help them with daily activities, like grooming and dressing, and ensure they take medication on time.

As a home care worker, you care for your patients in their homes by providing basic care. You ensure your clients eat and take medication on time. You also help them with mobility challenges, such as standing and exercising. Sometimes, you run errands for your clients and keep their records.

smiling female sitting on floor looking at male sitting on couch

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working as a care worker

Working as a care worker requires compassion since you work with people who require personalised care. Here are the duties, work environments and work schedules of care workers:

care worker job description
Some of the typical tasks of a care worker include:
- assisting with personal care: as a care worker, you help patients manage their personal care. Some of your duties in personal care involve helping them shower, dress or eat. Assisting your patients with basic activities helps them become independent.
- managing illnesses: if your client has a chronic medical condition, you ensure they follow the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor. You also organise their appointments and ensure they take medicine on time.
- domestic duties: when you provide services in private homes, your duties may extend to household chores. For instance, your employer may expect you to cook and clean the premises to maintain a healthy environment.
- companionship and emotional support: as a care worker, you spend most of the time with your patients, so building rapport is important. Most patients with serious illnesses feel isolated, and you provide emotional support to help them feel safe.
- shopping and completing errands: when you provide care at home, you assist your clients with house chores. That includes writing shopping lists for groceries and household items. If the client has mobility challenges, you go shopping and assist with other errands, like picking up prescriptions or collecting their mail.
work environment

As a care home manager, you work in residential or nursing care homes. Sometimes, you work in mental health facilities or children's residential care. You can work for local council facilities or not-for-profit organisations offering care home facilities in mining communities. You are likely to spend many hours in the office completing your administrative duties. You also visit residents and staff in a care home setting. Some roles require live-in arrangements, especially if patients need 24/7 care. Your work environment is usually physically and emotionally demanding.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include nutritionists, occupational therapists and personal care assistants. You might also be working in close proximity to pharmacists and general nurses, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, housekeepers, mental health nurses, and care home managers.
work schedule

Although you work in shifts, your week equals the length of a full-time position. There is no average shift length because so many variables are at play. Some employers offer flexible hours, so working part-time is a sustainable solution if you're balancing study or another job. Sometimes, you work nights and weekends when engaged in one-to-one or at-home care. Family members' schedules also impact your work time, an example being childcare roles. Keep in mind that some at-home carers work 24-hour shifts so that they can adequately accommodate their client.
job outlook

Becoming a care worker opens doors to many careers in social work and the healthcare industry. For instance, you can seek training or specialisation in specific aspects of care, like dementia or autism. You will find opportunities in specialist hospices after obtaining additional certifications. Alternatively, improve your qualifications and gain more work experience to progress in the same career path. You can become a lead care worker, join the managerial team, and become a care home manager. Some care workers become specialists in the sector and provide consultancy services.
advantages of finding a care worker job through randstad
Finding your care worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a care worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

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education and skills

While you can work as a care worker without educational qualifications, most employers require vocational qualifications. Complete a vocational qualification in technical and further education (TAFE) to gain skills and knowledge in disability or community service. Complete a Certificate III in individual support or Certificate IV in disability.

Aside from educational qualifications, you require experience. It is recommended to have a current police check and first aid certification. If your duties involve driving, ensure you have an unrestricted driver’s licence. Consider volunteering with Seniors and Aged Care or Disability Services to gain experience.

care worker skills and competencies

As a care worker, you require soft skills and personal attributes to excel in the role, including:

caring: as a care worker, you provide physical and medical assistance to adults, older people or children. If you genuinely care for your patients, you can help them deal with negative emotions. Since patients often feel isolated, being conscientious makes them comfortable.
respectful: as a care worker, you assist patients from different backgrounds. It is important to respect their religious or cultural beliefs to foster good relationships and provide the best care.
friendly: as a care worker, you should be open and approachable to enhance your working relationship with patients or co-workers. You also spend most of the day interacting with service users, and if you are withdrawn, your patients may feel uncomfortable in your presence. Friendliness creates a safe space for healing and hope for your clients.
flexibility: as a care worker, you need flexibility. Jobs vary depending on the patients you work with. For instance, providing services to a child is different from assisting an adult. Adaptability helps you adjust to new job requirements quickly and provide quality care.

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FAQs about working as a care worker

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a care worker.

how much do care workers get paid in Australia?

As a care worker, you make an average of $59,475 annually. The earnings fluctuate based on your experience and educational qualifications. For instance, in an entry-level role, you start with a salary of $53,625 per year since you have minimal experience and skills. The most experienced care workers make over $89,745 yearly.
what are the main duties of a care worker?

As a care worker, you provide client-centred care for clients in their homes or residential facilities. You assist clients with domestic tasks, like cleaning, preparing meals and administering medication. You also maintain good relationships with the patients and offer emotional support.
what are the qualifications for a care worker?

To work as a care worker, you require educational qualifications in individual or disability support. Your knowledge of administering medication may be useful in helping patients with chronic illnesses. Having first-aid training and understanding health and safety guidelines is also important to keep clients safe.
what do aged care workers do?

As an aged care worker, you help seniors with grooming and other basic tasks. You also help them maintain their treatment plans and run errands, like shopping or picking up their mail.
what skills does a care worker need?

As a care worker, you need compassion and empathy to help clients. Your communication skills are also handy for explaining complications to patients and their families.
how do I apply for a care worker vacancy?

Applying for a care worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

care worker.