Jobs in Home Care

Answer 1

With the number of baby boomers continuing to rise every year, the category of home health care job is predicted to be one of the fastest growing over the next decade. High school graduates looking for a career choice and others in career transition can find a home health care job to be a satisfying way of making a living.

A home health care job involves providing daily care for an elderly, disabled or chronically ill individual who is still living in the comfort of their own home rather than in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Most home health care workers, also called home health care aides or assistants, visit during daytime hours and then go back to their own home, although some home health care jobs may require evening visits or a live-in situation. A home health care job involves helping the client with daily grooming and bathing needs, helping the client to dress, preparing and serving nutritious meals, running errands, making sure the client takes daily medication, coordinating visits from other healthcare professionals such as physical therapists, and transporting the client to the doctor’s office for check-ups.

The best way to find a home health care job is through an agency that specializes in matching the right worker with the right situation. Most applicants for a home health care job must be high school graduates, must be willing to undergo a background check, and must be willing to be bonded, which is a form of insurance. Some home health care agencies offer training, although no licensing in needed in most states to serve as a home health care worker, although certification is required if the agency is funded by Medicare.

A home health care job requires physical strength as well as emotional patience for dealing with ill patients on a day to day basis. A home health care job can provide the worker with a flexible schedule rather than the traditional 9 to 5 job in a clinic or hospital setting. A home health care job can be a temporary assignment, pursued on a part time basis or a full 40 hour week with benefits.

Although the hourly wage for a home health care job is usually a little more than minimum wage, home health care aids who have training in other specialties such as physical therapy or nursing can command higher wages.

Answer 2

Home care is gaining popularity because hospitals are forcing patients out of their doors quicker than ever and many individuals are deciding to be cared for at home rather than at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Home care jobs are abundant because each of these individuals requiring home care need personal care takers.

A home care assistant is a person who provides personal care services to individuals who are unable to take care of all of their daily care needs. These people may be incapable of performing these tasks due to injuries, illnesses, mental disabilities, old age and other medical conditions. Some of these conditions are temporary and only require assistance from home care providers on a short-term basis, while others require long-term care.

A home care assistant may work alongside nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers to assist with the normal activities of daily life. The normal activities of daily life are also referred to as ADLs. A home care assistant provides services such as giving a patient prescribed medication, checking a patient's vital signs and also performing household duties. A home care assistant may perform housekeeping duties like laundry, cleaning and cooking meals. Some home care assistants live with the patients and provide around-the-care service, while others provide daily or regular visits throughout the week to assist the patients.

To requirements for offering home care assistance varies by state. Some states only require home care assistants to have high school diplomas or GEDs, while others require home care assistants to become Certified Nursing Assistants. If you seek employment as a home care assistant, most employers will require you to receive on-the-job or classroom training.

The training is provided by a licensed nurse or other certified health care provider. The training includes lessons on performing basic care, recording vital signs, Skin Care, personal hygiene and even how to respond in emergencies. Many programs also train home care assistants in cooking meals according to patients' dietary restrictions, helping in daily exercise routines and operating medical machines. If you are interested in home care jobs, find out what your states' requirements are and start your training today!