Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Care Assistant interview

43 replies

bibbidybob · 24/03/2019 11:55

I have an interview this week for a job as a care assistant in a local residential home. I have been a sahm for 15 years and have never worked in care work or with the elderly.

Anyone have any idea what they might ask?

OP posts:

Hairyfairy01 · 13/04/2019 15:21

I hope it went well for you. And if it didn't you'll be less nervous for another interview and more experienced in the type of things they will ask you.

Original poster

bibbidybob · 14/04/2019 21:03

Thanks Hairy - starting in a couple of weeks. Shadowing 2 shifts to see if its for me.

OP posts:

Hairyfairy01 · 26/04/2019 20:09

Hope the shifts have gone / do go well for you.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Care homes Jobs

ButtercupGirI · 29/07/2019 05:34

bibbidybob,

I know this is an old thread, not sure you will even see my post! How has it been? I am interested in working with elderly as my next career move.

Greedycushionhoarder2 · 29/07/2019 07:35

I recently started working in care (as a support worker for adults with disabilities) after 17 years as a sahm and no experience, the first question I was asked was what made you choose care work? I was also asked what rights does a person with disabilities have? The answer being exactly the same rights as someone without disabilities. Oh and in my job the term set by cqc is service users although I didn't know that and kept saying clients ( which I actually think sounds nicer anyway).
They also asked if I was prepared to undertake personal care. Good luck, it's the best move I ever made, I love my job.

Greedycushionhoarder2 · 29/07/2019 07:36

Just realised I'm way too late, hope it turned out to be what you wanted.

ButtercupGirI · 29/07/2019 14:05

Hi Greedycushionhoarder2, you are not late at all! I thought I was! I am so happy to see your reply :)

Do you have a lot of transferable skills to put on your CV? I have no experience in care at all apart from looking after my own 3 children! I am struggling to find something relevant to HCA to put on my CV :(

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 29/07/2019 14:20

If you've been a sahm, make much of your "excellent time management and organisational skills" and how you got X number of people, all needing different kit,to be in X number of places all on time.
Also multitasking, when they all want something at once.
Those are invaluable skills for care work.
Also, if you can work it in to the conversation, being unphased by bodily fluids and mess is a good one.
For anything you aren't sure of, say so, and say something like looking forward to training, and/or following workplace policy and procedures.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 29/07/2019 14:23

Also I did a (free) course to get a level II certificate in adult health and social care before I started applying.
There might be something like that near you. Have a Google or look on FB. Lots of agencies run the courses.

Original poster

bibbidybob · 29/07/2019 14:57

Buttercupgirl - I did get the job. At the moment I'm doing 1x12 hour shift a week, but got a few extra over the summer. I'm loving it. I was nervous about the personal care, but it's fine. I'm still nervous each shift, but once I've arrived and started I feel ok. It's a small, friendly care home.
My cv was basically empty and they knew that. I emphasised my willingness to learn.

There are a few residents I'm not so confident with as they have extra needs, but I'm learning!

OP posts:

Original poster

bibbidybob · 29/07/2019 14:59

Oh yes I was thrown when interviewer mentioned service user! Apart from during the interview and other official situations, we call them residents.

OP posts:

ButtercupGirI · 29/07/2019 18:38

PomBearWithAnOFRS, thanks for the excellent advice, few more things to put on my CV!

I saw some free courses online too, not quite sure how they work, I guess multiple choice questions in the end of the course to determine whether you passed or not? I will search to see if there's free courses near me too!

ButtercupGirI · 29/07/2019 18:51

bibbidybob, 12 hours shift seems tough, is it day or night? How do you work around children or are they all grow up now?

Is it easy to find mon-fri 8-6pm kind of shifts as I have no childcare outside of these hours :(

YouJustDoYou · 29/07/2019 19:09

I would love to do this job, but can't get the childcare as they ask for weekends, shiftwork etc, in every care job I've looked at. Good luck op, some great advice on here.

YouJustDoYou · 29/07/2019 19:10

xpost, just seen page 2! Well done on getting the job!

ButtercupGirI · 29/07/2019 20:45

Thanks YouJustDoYou, I don't think I can start shift work for another 5 years, I will be almost 50 then :(

Frequency · 29/07/2019 21:01

Buttercup, most care homes have a variety of shifts. Where I work the shifts are 7am-12am, 7am-2pm, 7am-6pm, 3pm-9:30pm, 8pm-7am, 9pm-7:30am, 10pm-7am or a mix thereof if you're willing to work double shifts.

Original poster

bibbidybob · 29/07/2019 21:11

Buttercup - my youngest is now 13 so it's easier as they can get themselves sorted. I do the same day every week and I find it knackering, but I'll get used to it! 8am-8pm

Think I'm lucky as it's a small home - 2 care assistants per shift and we have set shifts. Extra shifts available when others on holiday.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2