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Home Health Aides give routine health-related services under the supervision of medical staff to the elderly and disabled and recovering patients in their homes or residential care facilities. An Aide takes vital signs, helps with exercises and gives medication. Grooming, feeding and moving the patient are also common tasks for the Home Health Aide as well as transporting the patient to appointments or activities and performing routine cleaning duties. Experienced Aides may also help with medical equipment such as ventilators. All Aides keep records, observe their patients carefully and report to a nurse, physical therapist, social worker or other supervisor. On the look out for safety hazards and signs of physical and emotional abuse, Aides are a first line of defense for their patients.
An Aide's responsibilities can be demanding in several ways. Challenges include lifting and moving patients, dealing with infectious situations, changing bedpans and soiled linens, and helping patients who are sometimes irritable or disoriented. By properly helping someone in need, however, Aides can gain great satisfaction.
Training is usually on the job by a supervisor or experienced aides, and certificates are available. Aides usually work alone and may work with some patients for just a few hours whiles others for many years. Having reliable transportation is key as Aides often go to several locations within one workday. Because Aides work in private homes, they need to respect privacy. A caring, cheerful and dependable Aide is very important for the patient and contributes to a more fulfilling work environment.
Video Description of Home Health Aides
Source: CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)
Where Home Health Aides Work
Home Health Aides work in homes or residential care facilities and are generally employed by home heath agencies, social assistance agencies or residential care facilities.
Educational Requirements
Home Health Aides are trained on the job usually by registered or licensed practical nurses or experienced aides. Those who have formal training after high school, however, have a competitive edge in the job market. See:
Career Pathway Roadmaps
Licensure and Certification
There is no state license required for Home Health Aides. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice offers voluntary certification.
Home Health Aides Earnings
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) reports that the 2009 average hourly wage for Home Health Aides in Oregon was $10.43 and the average annual salary was $21,684. The average entry salary in 2009 in Oregon was $17,430.
Employment Outlook for Home Health Aides
The OED estimates that between 2008 and 2018, there will be 3141 job openings for Home Health Aides in Oregon. There is high turnover in the Home Health Aide field because of factors such as physical and emotional demands, lower pay and limited advancement opportunities. The high-turnover factor, coupled with the growing elderly population, create strong demand for Home Health Aides. Moreover, advancements in medical machinery and technology will allow more elderly to receive care in their homes as opposed to nursing facilities, increasing the demand for Home Health Aides.
Home Health Aides often choose this occupation to gain work experience in the medical field and become registered nurses, licensed practical nurses or certified medical assistants after formal education and training.
Occupations with Skills Similar to Home Health Aides
- Nursing and Psychiatric Aides
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Medical Assistants
- Occupational Therapist Assistants
- Personal and Home Care Aides
- Physical Therapist Assistants
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