Care Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Care Assistant jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where large providers like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and Hy-Vee's senior living division maintain consistent demand. Openings range from entry-level home health aides to experienced memory care and rehabilitation support roles, with the strongest need in elder care, developmental disability services, and post-acute settings. Iowa's aging rural population keeps hiring active well beyond the major metros, adding openings in community health and assisted living facilities statewide. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Grow your teaching career with Bright Horizons, where you can make a meaningful impact on children’s lives every day. Learn from early education experts while having the opportunity to pursue a CDA or college degree at no cost. Experience this and more as a Bright Horizons Assistant Teacher.
Grow your teaching career with Bright Horizons, where you can make a meaningful impact on children’s lives every day. Learn from early education experts while having the opportunity to pursue a CDA or college degree at no cost. Experience this and more as a Bright Horizons Assistant Teacher.
Part-time positions are available with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Hours are: Monday- Friday 4pm-6pm
Responsibilities:
Assist with hands-on activities to meet the needs and interests of the children
Maintain open communication with parents, sharing their child's daily milestones
Ensure a safe and clean classroom by following essential procedures and guidelines
Qualifications:
Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required
1 year of experience working in child care, daycare, or preschool settings is preferred
CDA, Associate, or bachelor’s degree in early education or related field is preferred
Be part of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways. We’re changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you. At Bright Horizons, you’re the difference.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training.
If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide supervision, care, curriculum delivery and services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.
Frequently lift, carry, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds; occasionally lift, carry, or hold weight more than 40 pounds
Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities
Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies
Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements
The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodation for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.
This position requires in-person work in the Iowa City, IA area.
Compensation:
The hourly rate for this position is between $13.85-$17.25. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.
Benefits:
Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental bonding leave
401(k) retirement plan
Long-term and short-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Money-saving discounts and financial planning tools
Career development opportunities and free college degrees through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program
Caregiving support and resources for the children and adults in your family
Learn more at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/health-and-wellness
Life at Bright Horizons:
At Bright Horizons, you’re more than your job title — you’re the difference. Whether you’re nurturing a child’s first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We’re a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future — for yourself and for others.
Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
See All 38 Care Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Care Assistant JobsCare Assistant Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Care Assistant Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in care assistant jobs across Iowa.
- Current or reciprocal Iowa Direct Care Worker certification preferred by most licensed facilities
- High school diploma or GED required for most care assistant positions in Iowa
- Valid CPR and first aid certification required before or shortly after hire
- Prior experience in home health, long-term care, or assisted living settings strongly preferred
- Ability to pass an Iowa criminal background check through the HCBS Health and Safety Registry
- Reliable transportation required for community-based and home health care assistant roles
Care Assistant Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a care assistant in Iowa?
Most care assistant roles in Iowa do not require a state-issued license, but facilities licensed under Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing standards typically require completion of an Iowa-approved direct care worker training program. Candidates pursuing nursing assistant duties must pass a state competency evaluation to appear on the Iowa Nurse Aide Registry. A high school diploma, CPR certification, and a clean Iowa criminal background check are standard across most employers.
Which companies hire care assistants in Iowa?
Iowa care assistant roles are posted by The University of Iowa, MercyOne, and Visiting Angels and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's network of faith-based health systems, county-operated care facilities, and regional assisted living chains generates steady openings across both urban and rural areas.
Which Iowa cities have the most care assistant jobs?
Iowa City, Bettendorf, and Davenport have the most care assistant openings in Iowa right now. Des Moines drives volume through its concentration of large hospital systems and corporate senior living operators, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport support strong demand through regional medical centers, skilled nursing facilities, and a growing population of adults needing in-home and community-based support.
Are there remote care assistant jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Care assistant work is fundamentally hands-on, so the large majority of Iowa openings require in-person presence at a facility, client home, or community site. About 0% of care assistant openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles are typically limited to care coordination, scheduling support, or telehealth-adjacent positions rather than direct personal care.
How can I get hired as a care assistant in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying for a home health aide or personal care attendant role, which typically requires only a background check and a willingness to complete paid on-the-job training. UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and Iowa's county-operated care facilities run new-hire orientation programs that train candidates without prior experience. Completing an Iowa-approved direct care worker training course through a community college like Des Moines Area Community College also gives candidates a measurable edge over applicants with no credentials.
Where can I find and apply to care assistant jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to care assistant jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the listings to find roles that fit your experience, location, and availability, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 38 Care Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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