Ocean Healthcare is a recruitment agency which specialises in providing Healthcare Assistants, Nurses and Support Staff to nursing homes, residential care homes, hospices, private hospitals and supported care environments across Devon and West Somerset.

We also have a specialist Complex Care division providing care to vulnerable adults and children in their own homes.

As well as working primarily with the servicer users own homes, the role of a Complex Care HCA can include providing enhanced clinical or mental health support. This can include medication management, peg feeding, epilepsy, tracheostomies, ventilators, oxygen management.

Agency shifts are in care home settings nursing homes, residential care homes, hospices, private hospitals and supported living environments.

Yes, we ask that all applicants have a minimum of 12 months experience as a healthcare worker or care worker in a formal setting. In some special circumstances we will take less but only once the person has also undertaken some shadowing shifts.

For Complex Care we require a minimum of 2 years care experience.

As many of our care settings are remotely located having your own transport is fairly essential as public transport to these areas is often limited or non-existent.

However, for some areas such as Torbay and Exeter we can accommodate some non-drivers so please do get in touch and we can discuss it in some detail.

For those who live in large towns travel is generally within the scope of the town however, for more remote areas we expect you to travel up to 15 miles for HCAs. We pay mileage after these miles at a set rate. This will be discussed with you during the recruitment process.

Previous employer references will be taken and if you are not a UK citizen we will need to see your proof of the right to work in the UK. Successful applicants are also subject to a DBS check.

Successful candidates will be required to undertake mandatory online training and our in-house Health and Safety training. We also run a number of other non-mandatory training and courses at our local branches.

Yes, we offer ongoing CDP and Revalidation support as well as supervision support to our Nurses.

You decide when you work.

Once registered with us we ask for you to provide us with your availability via our BookMeIn app. This availability is important and is your commitment to being able to work shifts.

We will then schedule work based on your stated availability.

This could be full time, part time, nights, days, weekends or just top-up hours to give you extra income around your existing work commitments.

Agency shift patterns are generally between 8-8 although there can be some variances.

You are in complete control of when you work all we ask is that you communicate effectively with us about your availability and honour whatever you tell us you’re willing to do.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of our clients’ requirements it is highly unlikely that we can we can accommodate working around school hours.

Relationships are at the heart of our business and within all parts of the business, we take time during the recruitment process and once you star list-unstyledt working with us to get to know you. For agency shifts, your designated booking co-ordinator will use that understanding, along with your availability to match you to shift requests.

In Complex Care it’s a little more complicated. The complex care recruiters, team leaders and care managers spend time during the recruitment process evaluating your skills, experience and personality so you can be carefully matched with specific service users. Generally, once matched you will remain with that service user for the duration.

If you don’t want to work at a particular location or setting please let us know and we will ensure our bookings teams are aware of this.

Our rates are competitive but do vary depending upon what shifts you are working. Please contact the office for our latest pay rates. For Nurses it is higher please contact the office.

We are happy to offer guaranteed hours for good workers. However, we regularly have lots of work available, so everyone gets the hours they want if they work with us and do their bit with availability. It is rather dependent upon you and this will be discussed with you prior to joining to make sure we are able to meet your needs.

You will be paid weekly direct into your bank account.

Once you make initial contact with us one of our recruitment team will be in touch. They will run through some simple questions to make sure you have the experience that we need and what we offer suits your requirements. They will also answer any questions that you have.

The next stage would be to arrange an interview in one of our branches where we will discuss your experience, collate your ID documents and let you know more about the role. We’ll also take a picture of you for your ID badge.

On successful completion of the interview, you will be asked to complete some online training and if needed, apply for an up to date DBS certificate.

The final stage of the process is for you to attend a registration session where we will sort out your contract, sort out your pay details and get you set up on our BookMeIn system. You will also complete your Moving & Handling refresher training.

Once this is all completed, you should be able to start work.

It’s up to you, if you bring the correct documents and complete the training quickly, you can start working with us within a few days.

If you have not already supplied one, a complete application form.

Proof of address x 2 (this can be your driving licence, council tax bill for the current year or utility or bank statement dated within the last 3 months)

Proof of Identity this will be either Your Passport, Driving License (or Provisional) your UK Birth certificate AND National Insurance Number

Training certificates

Right to work (if required)