What does a Home Health Aide do?

Home Health Aides make it possible for people to remain in place in their homes despite having disabilities and chronic medical conditions that make it difficult for them to perform daily living tasks and household chores. By supplying basic medical, companionship and housekeeping services, they contribute to the health and well-being of their clients and allow their employers to deliver exceptional care to those they serve. When they perform their job duties proficiently, Home Health Aides ensure client satisfaction, which can lead to referrals that allow service providers to grow.

Home Health Aide skills and qualifications

To be successful in their role, a Home Health Aide must possess certain skills. The following are some common qualifications for Home Health Aides you may wish to include in your job description:

• Ability to understand and closely follow instructions from healthcare providers
• Knowledge of basic first aid and CPR
• Interpersonal skills to interact positively with patients
• Attentiveness to detail to maintain accurate records
• Time management skills to complete all assigned tasks during a shift
• Ability to move and position patients
• Organizational skills to keep track of records and information for multiple clients
• Ability to legally and safely operate a motor vehicle, if patient transportation is a duty

Home Health Aide experience requirements

A Home Health Aide usually receives on-the-job training, so previous work experience may not be necessary to succeed in the position. However, previous experience performing housework and preparing meals can be beneficial, even if a candidate got this experience from working in their own homes. If staffing shortages will limit your ability to provide a robust on-the-job training program, you may wish to prioritize candidates who have previously worked as Home Health Aides for a year or more.

Home Health Aide education and training requirements

There are generally no formal education requirements for working as a Home Health Aide. However, some community colleges and trade schools do offer certificate programs in home health care, and employers may prefer candidates who have completed one of these training courses. Keep in mind that laws and regulations may require your new hires to undergo specific training on the job.

Some employers choose to prioritize candidates who have earned voluntary certifications. One popular certification is the Home Health Aide (HHA) credential offered by the American Caregiver Association (ACA). Home Health Aides may also benefit from holding a CPR certification from an organization like the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Home Health Aide isn’t quite what you’re looking for, check out these job descriptions for related positions:

• Home Health Nurse
• Caregiver
• Housekeeper
• Nursing Assistant

Home Health Aide job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Home Health Nurse and a Home Health Aide?

Home Health Nurses are Registered Nurses who have graduated from associate or bachelor’s degree programs. They often provide more complex medical services, such as administering IV infusions, performing ostomy care and changing catheters. In contrast, Home Health Aides often don’t have formal medical training and instead perform only basic tasks, such as monitoring vital signs, administering oral medications and providing first aid.

What are the qualities of a good Home Health Aide?

Good Home Health Aides enjoy structure and routine, using strict schedules to ensure they can attend to all of their clients on time and carry out all essential functions, such as administering medications. Because they may work with clients with memory issues, cognitive impairments or behavioral challenges, Home Health Aides need to be compassionate, patient and understanding. Being able to remain calm in a crisis can also be beneficial in the event that a patient suffers a medical emergency.

What’s the difference between a Home Health Aide and a Caregiver?

Generally, a Caregiver provides assistance only with daily living tasks and housekeeping. In most cases, they do not provide any type of medical care or monitoring. On the other hand, a Home Health Aide can carry out basic health-related duties, such as taking blood pressure.