Why work in senior care
Romania has over 3.5 million people aged 65 and over, with the number growing every year. Demand for qualified staff in care homes, home care services and medical facilities is rising steadily.
Benefits:
- Job security — a sector with consistent and growing demand
- Personal fulfilment — direct support with a genuine impact on people's lives
- Variety — from hands-on care to management, from residential settings to home visits
- Opportunities for advancement — from care assistant to senior nurse, coordinator, manager
- International opportunities — qualifications are recognised across the EU
Types of roles available
Direct care
- Care assistant — basic care: personal hygiene, nutrition, mobilisation. No degree required, but a qualification course is necessary.
- Nursing assistant — medical care: medication administration, monitoring, procedures. Requires post-secondary nursing college.
- Home care worker — support at the senior's home: companionship, personal hygiene, shopping, medication.
Therapy and rehabilitation
- Physiotherapist — physical rehabilitation, exercises, mobilisation. Degree in physiotherapy required.
- Occupational therapist — functional rehabilitation activities.
- Psychologist — emotional support, therapy, cognitive assessment.
Management and administration
- Social worker — needs assessment, mediation, documentation.
- Care coordinator — coordinating the care team, developing personalised care plans.
- Care home manager — overall management of the care home.
Required qualifications and certifications
It depends on the role:
- Care assistant: 720-hour qualification course (3–6 months), ANC certificate. Cost: 1,500–3,000 RON.
- Nursing assistant: post-secondary nursing college (2–3 years), OAMGMAMR practice licence.
- Home care worker: elderly care qualification course (360–720 hours).
- Physiotherapist: degree in physiotherapy (4-year university programme).
Where to complete courses: ANC-accredited centres, post-secondary nursing colleges, universities. See training courses on SeniorHelp.
Salaries and benefits 2026
Indicative gross salaries in Romania:
- Care assistant: 2,800 – 3,800 RON/month
- Nursing assistant: 4,000 – 6,500 RON/month (including allowances)
- Home care worker: 2,500 – 3,500 RON/month
- Physiotherapist: 4,500 – 7,000 RON/month
- Coordinator / Manager: 5,000 – 9,000 RON/month
Common benefits: meals included, transport, night and weekend allowances, free ongoing training, accommodation (at care homes in remote areas).
Where and how to look for a job
- SeniorHelp.ro — the Jobs section, featuring verified vacancies in care homes and care services
- ANOFM and county employment agencies
- Direct applications to care homes — SeniorHelp lists over 795 care homes with contact details
- Professional networks (LinkedIn, Facebook groups)
How to prepare for your interview
Common interview questions in this field:
- Why do you want to work with older people?
- How would you handle a medical emergency?
- How do you respond when a resident becomes agitated or aggressive?
- Do you have experience working with people living with dementia?
- How do you manage stress and fatigue?
Tips:
- Demonstrate empathy and patience — these are the most important qualities
- Mention any relevant experience (including caring for a family member)
- Be honest about your limitations — it is better than promising what you cannot deliver
- Ask about the staff-to-resident ratio, working hours and ongoing training
Your rights as an employee
- Permanent employment contract (a right, not a favour)
- Maximum 12-hour shifts with a meal break
- Mandatory pay supplements: nights (+25%), weekends (+50%), public holidays (+100%)
- Annual leave: minimum 20 working days per year
- Protective equipment provided by the employer
- Continuing professional development (a legal right)
- Health insurance and social contributions paid by the employer
If your rights are being breached, contact: ITM (Territorial Labour Inspectorate), your trade union, or a solicitor specialising in employment law.
Professional development and career prospects
Senior care offers clear career pathways:
- Care assistant → Nursing assistant (via post-secondary college)
- Nursing assistant → Senior nurse (with 3–5 years of experience)
- Coordinator → Care home manager (with management training)
- Specialisation: Alzheimer's, palliative care, rehabilitation — additional qualifications mean higher pay
- International: EU qualifications are mutually recognised — you can work in Germany, Austria and the UK