Home Health Aide Duties And Responsibilities
Home health aides are needed across the country.
Becoming a home health aide is no small feat. You need to understand the responsibilities involved with looking after someone with specific needs before you think about applying for this job. Here's a list of a few of the most common home health aide duties so you can decide whether or not this is something you can or want to do. It's a rewarding job and you'll get to spend time with some amazing people, but there are a lot of difficulties as well. Let's dig in.
What Are the Main Home Health Aide Duties?
Home health aide job duties will vary from situation to situation. Some of the most typical duties are as follows:
- Administering medication.
- Taking and recording vital signs.
- Making meals and helping patients understand proper nutrition.
- Going to doctors' appointments and picking up groceries, medications, etc.
- Spending quality time with the patient.
- Assisting them with mobility issues, such as getting in and out of their wheelchair or getting out of bed.
- Doing household chores and helping with personal care/hygiene.
You might work with a patient for months or even years, so in some cases, you'll end up developing a close personal relationship with them.
Your Special Qualifications
In terms of education, you'll have to have a high school education (or GED), as well as any state-mandated certifications. You will also need CPR, CPI, and some experience working with disabled patients.
Because of the nature of the job, you'll have to be over 21 with a valid driver's license that's in good standing. Some of the traits a great home health aide possesses include the ability to create a safe space, nursing skills, listening and communication skills, dependability, and emotional control.
The Work Environment
A typical day for a home health aide is spent almost exclusively in their patients' homes. As mentioned earlier, they'll have to perform certain tasks that require them to go out and purchase products for the patient or take the patient for some outdoor activities. You'll also have to check-in with your supervisor to pass on any relevant information about your patient.
Your adaptability is an important skill because you'll be thrown into many different environments. Every patient comes from a different background with different hardships, so you need to be sympathetic to this fact and roll with the punches while providing exceptional care that gives each one a sense of comfort.
Choosing the Right Path
Now that you know some of the more prominent home health aide duties, you can make an informed decision whether this is the right career path for you. If you're someone that likes caring for people that are in need and you enjoy genuine human interaction, then apply to become a home health aide today.
Did you find this post helpful? Come back and visit BraunAbility again to read more informative articles about living and helping those with disabilities.
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