CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Home healthcare aides work under the direction of nurses or other healthcare professionals and provide basic medical care to patients.
Career Level
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Salary
National average, per year
$23,130
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
33,090
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Home Healthcare Aide Job Description
Home healthcare aides (HHA) provide basic medical and health-related care and support to people who can no longer take care of themselves. This may be due to illness, advanced age or disability. They work under the supervision of nurses and other healthcare professionals.
HHAs assist people with personal care needs such as bathing, toileting and eating. They provide emotional support and companionship. They also can administer oral prescription medications. They can change bandages and do simple wound care. They check vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure). They document and maintain patient records.
Being a HHA is often a great beginning step to a career in the healthcare field. They have an excellent job outlook and can begin working with very little advanced education or training.
Home Healthcare Aide Job Responsibilities
Home healthcare aides may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Administer oral prescription medications
- Change bandages
- Document and maintain patient records
- Discuss observations and concerns with professional healthcare providers such as nurses
- Assist with personal care
- Check vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure)
- Provide companionship and emotional support
- Housekeeping and meal preparation
Home Healthcare Aide Salary
The actual salary of the home healthcare aide can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $23,130*
National average per hour: $11.12*
- $25,646 per year, $12.33 per hour**
- $23,397 per year, $11.25 per hour***
- $22,784 to $27,542 per year****
- 25,452 per year, $12.24 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Ziprecruiter.com
Home Healthcare Aide Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a home healthcare aide? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Excellent job outlook
- Start a job quickly with little training
- Build strong and meaningful relationships with patients
Cons
- Entry-level salary
- Can be emotionally stressful
- Can be physically demanding
- May have to deal with difficult or uncooperative patients and/or family members
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Home Healthcare Aide?
If you are considering a career as a home healthcare aide, these are the steps to take to get you started.
- Get your high school diploma or GED (not required for all positions, but highly recommended).
- If you are considering working for agencies that receive reimbursement from Medicare or Medicaid, you must complete a formal training program. These programs are available through community colleges and technical or vocational schools.
- Get certified in CPR (not required, but highly recommended)
Suggested Career Path
The position of the home healthcare aide is at the beginning of the medical career pathway. A sample career path could look like this:
Home Healthcare Aide > Medical Assistant > Registered Nurse (RN)
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma/GED not required for all positions, but highly recommended.
- Completion of a home healthcare aide certificate program, not required by all employers, but highly recommended.
Typical Work Experience Required
No work experience required to start.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by job and location.
- Good listening and communication skills
- Empathy and compassion
- Patience
- Positivity
- Keen observation skills
Home Healthcare Aide Certifications
Certification is not required in all states. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice website provides links to state associations where you can find specific state requirements.
Some employers look for home healthcare aides who are certified. This is the certification that they may require:
- HCC, Home Care Certified (NCCAP)
Certification in CPR is not required for all positions, but is highly recommended.
- CPR, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, First Aid, AED (AHA)
- CPR, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (American Red Cross)
Click on the certifications to find out more.
Home Healthcare Aide Licenses
None
Home Healthcare Aide Training and Preparation
Technically you do not always need a high school diploma/GED to become a home healthcare aide. Most aides do, however, hold a diploma and this is definitely something you should strongly consider.
Some employers do not require any formal education, training or certification. If you are considering working for an agency that receives funding from Medicare or Medicaid, however, you are required to complete a formal training program. These programs are available through community colleges and technical or vocational schools. Many of these training programs can be completed in several months. Some even offer online training as well.
HCC certification might also be required by individual states or by some employers. The NCCAP website offers a study guide that you can download. There are practice exams and questions available online as well. Review and test prep books also make great study tools.
CPR certification is not required for all positions, but some employers do prefer caregivers who are certified. There are many ways to obtain CPR certification. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association both offer options for certification. They offer online courses, blended courses and traditional classroom setting training.
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