HOME HEALTH AIDE

Our Home Health Aides provide personal care to our
patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
or a Licensed Therapist.

 

 

Position Description

A home health aide cares for people who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, cognitive impairments, or age-related problems, who have the need or desire to still live in their own home.

The home health aide provides basic services that include administering medications, changing bandages, and checking vital signs like temperature, and pulse and respiration rates.

Although a home health aide works independently, he or she is supervised by a medical professional, usually a registered nurse. Be careful not to confuse home health aides with personal care aides who don’t provide medical services of any type.

Home Health Aide Duties & Responsibilities

Learn about the job duties you can expect if you choose this career:

  • Help clients get dressed and undressed and maintain proper clothing
  • Provide and assist with personal services such as bathing and grooming
  • Accompany clients to their doctor visits
    Oversee the administration of prescribed medications to clients
  • Assist clients who are unable to handle the day-to-day homemaking duties in their homes
  • Follow a specified care plan for the client and report on completed tasks after each visit

Home Health Aide Skills & Competencies

In addition to hands-on training, home health aides must have other “soft skills” that can help them excel in their jobs:

  • Interpersonal Skills: In addition to stellar listening and verbal communication skills, you must be able to connect with your patients and their families on a personal level. It is essential to gain their trust so you can make them feel safe and comfortable.
  • Time Management Skills: You will have many tasks to complete during your shift. The ability to prioritize them will help you get everything done.
  • Detail Oriented: Home health aides must keep track of a lot of things—medications, vital signs, and appointments, for example. The ability to pay attention to details is imperative.
  • Physical Stamina: You will have to lift clients and perform other tasks that require strength.

Work Environment

Home healthcare agencies employ most individuals, usually deploying them to patients’ homes. About 20 percent of individuals work in continuing care facilities, skilled nursing, and developmental disability facilities.

Work Schedule

Jobs are typically full time, although some aides have part-time schedules. Patient schedules often require work on weekends, evenings, and holidays. Overnight shifts and live-in shifts are not uncommon.

  • Assistance with bathing
  • Prepare, serve meals
  • Light housekeeping
  • Pick up of groceries and medications of patients at local grocery stores and pharmacies
  • Asist with ADL’s
  • Assit with ambulation, transfers
  • Assist with self administration of medicacions.