Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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.
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
65% said they were satisfied with their job and 78% said they found their job meaningful.
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
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Home Health Aide/Home Attendant
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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