When thinking about care homes, the first professions that come to mind are caregivers and nurses. Südamekodud provide elderly people with a supportive and suitable living environment: in addition to daily care, everyone is guaranteed opportunities for exercise and physical activities, cultural events and entertainment, books and newspapers, and, if necessary, additional health services and medical care. A professional team is needed to make all this work. The teams at Südamekodud across Estonia include caregivers, assistant caregivers, a care manager, an administrator, a cook, a cook's assistant, an administrative manager, and each Südamekodu also has a director.
In order to ensure a comfortable home for the elderly and appropriate, adequate, and necessary care services, we welcome anyone who has previously worked in the care sector or is looking to change careers to join our team. We also welcome those who have not previously worked in the care sector but would like to work with people and do meaningful and emotional work.
Caregiver is a support person and partner for the residents of Südamekodud in all daily and vital activities: they are the primary contact person, helping residents on a daily basis and, if necessary, also assisting with hygiene activities.
Caregivers base their work on the principles of customer-focused service and take into account the individuality, characteristics, needs, and abilities of each elderly person. Sometimes, the person being cared for needs alternative treatment—in other words, to be moved or lifted. This part of the job should not be feared, as it does not actually require strength: all Südamekodud homes are equipped with modern aids for performing such activities.
The most important thing in this job is personal qualities: we are looking for empathetic people who enjoy working with the elderly and are suited to it. Caregivers should enjoy communicating – listening and understanding are the most important parts of our work.
To work as a caregiver, you need one of three things:
Caregivers must be able to communicate in Estonian. An independent language proficiency level of B1 is required, but if a person is a good communicator, they will quickly learn the language, and Südamekodud also contributes to its employees' participation in language courses.
Anyone with a kind heart and a desire to work with and for people can become an Assistant Care Worker. They never work alone — they are always the right hand of the main caregiver, supporting them in all activities with residents.
Previous experience working with the elderly or caring for a loved one is definitely an advantage when applying. Most importantly, those who work with older people should be caring and empathetic — seniors deeply appreciate kindness and the joy of quality life.
The Care Support Assistant creates a clean, safe, and cozy environment for residents and supports caregivers in their daily work. They help ensure that older people enjoy a pleasant and dignified life.
Under their care, living spaces are tidy, bed linen fresh, and all common areas clean and welcoming. When needed, they lend a hand in residents’ daily routines — helping with meals, eating, small everyday tasks, and companionship.
This job suits someone who enjoys being active and caring for others. The Care Support Assistant is like the invisible heart of the home — their work helps everyone feel safe and cared for.
The Care Manager’s main role is to coordinate the work of caregivers and assistant caregivers, ensuring their work and its quality.
The Care Manager also communicates with residents’ families and welcomes new residents. They act as a personnel coordinator, managing caregiver training and development. One of their most important responsibilities is overseeing residents’ individual care plans — making them an active part of each care and treatment process, and often the heart of the home.
Teamwork and leadership experience are an advantage for this position. Strong communication skills are essential, as the Care Manager serves as a bridge between team members, residents, and their families.
About half of Südamekodud homes have an Administrator. They are the first person visitors meet when entering the home. They know where everything is, who lives in which room, and often coordinate all communication, answering questions from residents and their relatives.
If the home has a café, the Administrator is also responsible for coordinating its activities and serving customers.
The cook at a care home is responsible for preparing delicious meals — from ordering ingredients to fine-tuning flavors. Together with the catering manager, they ensure that residents’ meals are balanced and suitable for their needs. It is essential that all residents receive meals appropriate to their preferences and, when necessary, to their special diets.
The cook ensures compliance with hygiene standards and is responsible for food safety and quality. Previous experience in a large kitchen and knowledge of food safety and hygiene are valuable advantages.
The cook’s assistant is the cook’s right hand — helping with food preparation, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and dining area, washing dishes, and ensuring compliance with hygiene, food safety, and quality standards.
Experience in a large kitchen is an advantage, but with a strong will and desire to work as a cook’s assistant in a care home, it is always possible to learn on the job.
Each Südamekodu has an Activities Coordinator whose role is to offer engaging and development-supporting activities for residents, making their days varied and meaningful. They plan daily programs, special events, and celebrations based on residents’ needs and interests, ensuring both regularity and variety.
Daytime and recreational activities are tailored to residents’ needs and abilities. Many Südamekodu homes regularly organize exercise classes, crafts, concerts, bingo days, and more — not everyone joins every event, but there is always something for everyone.
The Special Care Instructor is a specialist with specific skills and knowledge who works with people with severe and profound disabilities, supporting and assisting them in their daily routines.
To work in this field, a professional qualification as a Special Care Instructor is required. In Südamekodud, such positions are located in Lihula. Applicants must have at least secondary education and have completed basic training in special care.
Maintenance Managers at Südamekodud are responsible for the management and upkeep of buildings and grounds — including repairs, maintenance, and overall order. Since the homes must meet specific fire safety and health regulations, knowledge of property management is important.
Candidates should be familiar with relevant regulations, hold a category B driving license, and have basic computer skills.
The Maintenance Manager has a “can-do” attitude — unafraid of small repairs, enjoys assembling furniture, and takes pride in maintaining the grounds. They have strong communication, planning, and budgeting skills.
The nurse is responsible for monitoring residents’ health, identifying health issues, organizing healthcare services, and providing nursing care in the home.
At Südamekodud, the nurse prepares the nursing plan and contributes to the development of each resident’s care plan. They are responsible for the entire nursing service in the home and work closely with family doctors, specialists when needed, and residents’ relatives.
To work as a nurse, appropriate education, Estonian language skills, responsibility, and empathy are required.
Every Südamekodu has a Manager who oversees the entire operation of the care home: financial management, accounting, HR matters, contracts, and communication with residents and their families. As the title suggests, they are the leader of the team.
Applicants for the Manager position are expected to have strong communication skills, higher education, management experience, and financial knowledge.
Hooldaja tööülesanneteks on eakate hooldamine ja abistamine igapäeva toimingutes. Hooldusplaani täitmine ja abistamine ravimite manustamisel. Elanike kaasamine igapäevasesse tegevusse arvestades tema soove, tervislikku seisundit, meeleolu ja võimeid.
Abihooldusteenindaja ametikoha põhieesmärgiks on koristusplaanist lähtudes osakonna ruumide puhta ja tervisliku elu- ja töökeskkonna tagamine. Lisaks hooldajate abistamine tööandja klientide turvalise ja klientide vajadustega kooskõlas oleva elukeskkonna tagamisel.
Hooldaja tööülesanneteks on eakate hooldamine ja abistamine igapäeva toimingutes. Hooldusplaani täitmine ja abistamine ravimite manustamisel. Elanike kaasamine igapäevasesse tegevusse arvestades tema soove, tervislikku seisundit, meeleolu ja võimeid.
Hooldaja tööülesanneteks on eakate hooldamine ja abistamine igapäeva toimingutes. Hooldusplaani täitmine ja abistamine ravimite manustamisel. Elanike kaasamine igapäevasesse tegevusse arvestades tema soove, tervislikku seisundit, meeleolu ja võimeid.
Õe tööülesanneteks on kliendi tervisliku seisundi jälgimine ja muutuste märkamine. Ravimite õigeaegne tagamine ja manustamise jälgimine. Õendusdokumentatsiooni järjepidev ja täpne täitmine. Vajadusel suhtlemine kliendi lähedaste ja raviarstidega.
Valkla Südamekodu otsib oma meeskonda kokka, kelle tööülesandeks on klientidele kvaliteetse toidu valmistamine ja serveerimine. Vajadusel varustajale toorainete tellimuste esitamine, suhtlus varustajaga. Toorainete vastuvõtmine, kontrollimine, nõuetekohane ladustamine ja ettevalmistamine. Vajadusel söögisaali laudade katmine ja toidunõude pesemine.
Koka abi tööülesanneteks on koka abistamine tööandja klientidele kvaliteetse ja tasakaalustatud toidu valmistamisel, vastavalt menüüle. Toidu jagamine ja väljastamine, söögisaali laudade katmine, söögisaali puhtuse tagamine ja toidunõude pesemine.
Tegevuste koordinaatori tööülesandeks on korraldada tööandja klientide jaoks arengut toetavaid tegevusi, mis toetavad klientide parimat võimalikku toimetulekut päeva toimetustes ja aktiveerivad igapäevaelu. Näiteks klientidele suunatud võimlemiste, ürituste, huvitegevuste jms organiseerimine.
The teams at Südamekodud are always on the move – in a positive way. People who join our team and enjoy working with the elderly stay with us for a long time and always find new opportunities to develop themselves and make their working life more interesting.
It is very common for an assistant caregiver who comes to work for us to become a caregiver – this requires training or special education, which is affordable for everyone and supported by the employer.
Caregivers who are suited to engaging in active activities with the elderly have become activity coordinators, and those who are suited to team management are developing themselves as care managers.
The social sector offers great opportunities for professional and personal development – the gratitude, happy eyes, and feedback of elderly people and their loved ones are guaranteed. Long-term employment is definitely guaranteed in this field. Südamekodud is Estonia's largest chain of nursing homes, and our facilities already offer our colleagues great opportunities for learning and development. We always encourage and support further training for our team members. Südamekodud offers everyone a professional and supportive team, opportunities for further training, and sports and health benefits.
We also offer accommodation for some of our employees – for example, if you come to work for several shifts in a row, you can stay overnight at Valkla, Käru, and Värska Südamekodu.
Yes, professional education is required for care workers, special care instructors, and nurses. For other positions, previous experience and suitable personal qualities are very helpful. Starting as an assistant care worker, you can train to become a full caregiver — come, try it, and see if this work suits you.
Not necessarily. If you’d like to work with us, get in touch — we’ll find a position that fits you. The most important qualities are humanity and the right attitude.
To work at Südamekodud, a minimum of B1 level Estonian is required. However, if your level is A2 and you are a good communicator, contact us — we’ll find ways to help you improve your language skills.
You don’t need to be a gym regular — all Südamekodu homes are equipped with modern assistive tools such as slide sheets, lifts, and more to help with physically demanding tasks.
Yes, people with partial work ability can also work at Südamekodud. Get in touch — we’ll find a suitable arrangement!
Yes, absolutely! We especially welcome teachers or school cooks looking for summer work. During holiday periods, we often need substitute staff for those on vacation or sick leave. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re interested in short-term “care work opportunities”!
Yes, part-time work is possible for almost all positions at Südamekodud. It’s more difficult for managers, care managers, and cooks, but on most other roles it’s common and easily arranged.
Of course. Contact the Südamekodu home in your region, tell us what you’d like to do, and know that you’re very welcome!
Care work usually involves 12–24-hour shifts. However, we are flexible with scheduling and always try to accommodate employees’ needs. Let us know your preferences when applying, and we’ll find a solution.
Südamekodud AS
Register code 14168513
Karjavälja st 4, Tallinn 12918
info@sudamekodud.ee