Nursing Home jobs

Nursing home jobs: frequently asked questions

Welcome to our nursing home jobs page, featuring all the latest roles throughout the UK, as well as frequently asked questions below.

What does a nursing home job entail?

Nursing home jobs are all about helping vulnerable people to live comfortably and independently.

The majority of nursing homes are now privately operated, and the people you support could be older people, or people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities or mental health conditions. Some nursing homes are still operated by the NHS too.

At entry level, the most common role is a care worker or care assistant. Other roles include nursing home managers and nursing home nurses.

What daily duties do you have in a nursing home?

Duties will vary based on the role you take on, your seniority and the type of home you work in. However, at a very broad level your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting people with washing, dressing and eating

• Getting to know the needs of every resident and making tailored plans

• Monitoring health regularly

• Monitoring and administering medication

• Helping to run internal and external activities

As a nursing home nurse your duties will be largely similar to your role within any other setting. However, the key difference is that you may be the only qualified healthcare professional on-site at certain times.

Meanwhile, as a nursing home manager your role is all-encompassing, with everything from recruitment to health and safety coming under your remit. It’s also a round-the-clock job that could include evenings, weekends and unsociable hours.

What skills and qualifications do you need to work in a nursing home?

What you need to work in a nursing home depends on the kind of roles you’re interested in.

Entry level positions don’t normally require any qualifications – you’ll just need a good work ethic, good communication skills and a caring and compassionate nature.

Management positions are achievable through a combination of experience and qualifications. Nursing home managers often have nursing qualifications combined with management qualifications – but this isn’t the only route. With enough experience you might be able to get the provider you work for to support you in gaining a Level 4 NVQ in Health and Social Care.

Nursing home nurses normally train and qualify within the NHS, undertaking a 3-year degree. After qualifying and beginning work as a registered nurse, it’s possible to apply for nursing home nursing roles fairly quickly. However, specialist homes that provide care to residents with very specific healthcare needs might require you to have dedicated experience within that area.

How much do nursing home jobs pay?

Nursing home salaries vary widely because the vast majority of homes are operated privately.

According to industry statistics, the national average hourly rate for entry level care workers is around £8.30 per hour, and average annual salaries are somewhere between £15,000 and £17,000.

Meanwhile, the average salary for a nursing home manager is somewhere around £30,000 and £32,000 a year.

Nursing home nursing salaries are broadly on a par with nursing salaries within other care settings, so typically between £25,000 and. £30,000 – or beyond £35,000 for those with lots of experience.

Pay in this sector is under the microscope following the heroic efforts of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Politicians and lobbyists are pressuring the government to introduce pay rises across the board, and it’s possible that some demands will be met in the near future. Vacancy rates are still high too – and a higher rate of pay would certainly help to plug the gap.

Find your next nursing home job today

Whether you’re an experienced nursing home worker or just starting your career, view our latest nursing home jobs above, or if you can’t find what you’re looking for, register your CV and we’ll send you the latest roles.