Home health aide   

·         Duties and responsibilities: Monitors patient condition by observing physical and mental condition, intake and output, and exercise.

·         Supports patients by providing housekeeping and laundry services; shopping for food and other household requirements; preparing and serving meals and snacks; running errands.

·         Assists patients by providing personal services, such as, bathing, dressing, and grooming.

·         Helps patients care for themselves by teaching use of cane or walker, special utensils to eat, special techniques and equipment for personal hygiene.

·         Helps family members care for the patient by teaching appropriate ways to lift, turn, and re-position the patient; advising on nutrition, cleanliness, and housekeeping.

·         Records patient information by making entries in the patient journal; notifying nursing supervisor of changing or unusual conditions.

·         Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy patient environment by following asepsis standards and procedures; maintaining security precautions; following prescribed dietary requirements and nutrition standards;

·         Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.

·         Protects the home care agency by adhering to professional standards, home care policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements.

·         Enhances service reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

 Salary: Home health aides earned a median salary of $21,020 in 2013, or approximately $10 per hour, according to the BLS. The highest-paid earned about $29,480, while the lowest-paid earned about $16,690. Areas of the industry that pay particularly well include psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals and physicians offices.

 Education: There is no standardized educational requirement for HHAs. In some states, not even a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Other states require HHAs to take preparation classes (usually offered at community colleges or vocational/technical schools) before they begin working.

 

Reflection: I would not like to be a Home health aide because that’s not my thing.