Certified home health aides provide personal care for the elderly, disabled, or recovering patients in their homes. They assist with daily activities, light housework, and basic medical support. Certification is voluntary in the US, but some states require licensing. The job is physical and may involve heavy lifting and dealing with irritable behavior. Advancement opportunities are limited, but some workers seek additional training to become nurses or physician assistants.
A certified home health aide works in people’s homes to provide personal care for the elderly, people with disabilities, or patients who are recovering from an illness or injury. The services of home health aides are often called upon when family members and friends are unable to adequately care for a person. A certified home health aide can help people stay in their own homes rather than in a residential care center such as a nursing home.
Certified home health aides help their clients with daily activities, including meal preparation, dressing, bathing, and grooming. Light housework such as laundry and changing linens are also part of the job. Under the supervision of medical and nursing staff, home health aides help patients with medications, mobility and exercise regimens. They can provide basic medical support, such as pulse and temperature monitoring, changing bandages, and assistance with ventilators, prosthetics, and other medical devices.
Many certified home health aides work for home health agencies and receive on-the-job training by registered nurses and other professionals experienced in home care. In general, a high school diploma is not required. In the United States, home health aides must pass a competency assessment for their employers to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement.
Certification in the US is voluntary and offered by the National Hospice and Home Care Association. A certified home health aide must have completed a 75-hour course, demonstrated competency skills, and passed a written test. Some states require all home health aides to be licensed.
The work of the certified home health aide is physical in nature, involving standing and walking for many hours and often heavy lifting. Aspects of the job that might be considered unpleasant include emptying beds and dealing with irritable behavior. Aides working for agencies may handle several patients in one day. To stay healthy and injury-free, a certified home health aide needs to know proper procedures for lifting patients and the principles of infection control. A physical exam and criminal background check are usually required for employment.
Certified home health aides may also be self-employed, setting their own work hours and fees, and often caring for the same patient for months or years. As many patients need round-the-clock care, aides may also find night and weekend work. While advancement opportunities for home health aides are limited, some workers seek additional training and education to become practical nurses, physician assistants, or registered nurses.
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