What Does A Home Health Aide Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Home Health Aides

Home Health Aides provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient's home or in a care facility. Monitor or report changes in health status. May also provide personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming of patient.

Salary
$28060
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Home Health Aides provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient's home or in a care facility. Monitor or report changes in health status. May also provide personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming of patient.

  • Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
  • Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
  • Bathe patients.
  • Administer prescribed oral medications, under the written direction of a physician or as directed by the home care nurse or aide, and ensure patients take their medicine.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Home Health Aides bathe patients. They maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with the supervisor or case manager.

A typical day for a Home Health Aide will also include:

  • Administer prescribed oral medications, under the written direction of a physician or as directed by the home care nurse or aide, and ensure patients take their medicine.
  • Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
  • Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
  • Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
  • Care for children who are disabled or who have sick or disabled parents.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Home Health Aides also perform a variety of duties as requested by clients, such as obtaining household supplies or running errands. They may also massage patients or apply preparations or treatments, such as liniment, alcohol rubs, or heat-lamp stimulation.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Home Health Aides accompany clients to doctors’ offices or on other trips outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship. They might also provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.

In addition, they direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them check patients’ pulse, temperature, and respiration.

To some Home Health Aides, it is also their responsibility to care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Average

Is this job meaningful

Very High

65% said they were satisfied with their job and 78% said they found their job meaningful.


Westchester Family Care

It is a very rewarding yet challenging profession. We have some caregivers who have chosen this as a profession who truly enjoy the work and the difference they can make with their clients and families. The work is difficult and some of the personal care requirements and challenging behaviors can make the field less preferable … Read More


PrimeCarers

I have worked previously as a nurse providing care to varied sectors of healthcare and have seen the amazing work done across many areas of healthcare. More recently, I have been working to facilitate care both short and longer-term in the homes of clients of varied needs. Our care staff runs what is essentially their … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$28060 per year

Average hourly wage

$13 per hour

Entry-level Home Health Aides with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $20,130 to $23,560 per year or $10 to $11 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $36,990 $18
Senior (Top 25%) $31,280 $15
Median $27,080 $13
Junior (Bottom 25%) $23,560 $11
No experience (Bottom 10%) $20,130 $10

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Home Health Aides based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
State Government $38640 $18.58
Educational Support Services $36210 $17.41
Other Investment Pools and Funds $35250 $16.95
Scientific Research and Development Services $33290 $16.00
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations $32720 $15.73
Management of Companies and Enterprises $32190 $15.48
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $31210 $15.00
Social Advocacy Organizations $30950 $14.88
Rental and Leasing Services $30550 $14.69
Elementary and Secondary Schools $30410 $14.62

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Home Health Aides work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Home Health Aides including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Individual and Family Services 1474730 $28480 $13.69
Home Health Care Services 863850 $27080 $13.02
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities 295070 $27860 $13.40
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly 252530 $27790 $13.36
Vocational Rehabilitation Services 56570 $26810 $12.89
Employment Services 40010 $28130 $13.52
State Government 24670 $38640 $18.58
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 18470 $31210 $15.00
Local Government 14130 $28000 $13.46
Outpatient Care Centers 11890 $28000 $13.46

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
43%

40 hours
34%

More than 40 hours
22%

Working schedule

90%

10%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
4%

Every day
12%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
36%

Every day
40%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
16%

Every day
58%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
65%

Once a year
15%

Once a month
12%

Once a week
6%

Every day
1%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
24%

Slightly competitive
34%

Moderately competitive
20%

Highly competitive
15%

Extremely competitive
7%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
45%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
54%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
85%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
7%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
85%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
1%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
95%

Once a year or more
2%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
1%

High School Diploma or equivalent
63%

Post-Secondary Certificate
21%

Some College Courses
7%

Associate’s Degree or similar
9%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Home Health Aide/Home Attendant

A program that prepares individuals to provide routine care and support services for homebound disabled, recovering, or elderly people. Includes instruction in basic nutrition, home sanitation, infection control, first aid, taking vital signs, personal hygiene, interpersonal communication skills, supervised home management, emergency recognition and referral, geriatric care, and legal and ethical responsibilities.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
31%

1 month
3%

1 to 3 months
2%

3 to 6 months
13%

6 months to 1 year
20%

1 to 2 years
24%

2 to 4 years
6%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
28%

1 month
48%

1 to 3 months
12%

3 to 6 months
1%

6 months to 1 year
5%

1 to 2 years
7%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Helper

People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.

The Builder
71%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
29%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
100%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
33%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
38%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
33%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
36%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
29%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
62%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
57%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
38%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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