Home Health Aide
Provide routine care for fundamental needs of patients through personal tasks and compassionate support.
The primary job functions of a Home Health Aide (HHA) and Supportive Home Care Aide (SHCA) are to provide a simplified routine of care for patients. This typically involves:
- hygiene
- grooming
- bathing
- food preparation
An HHA/SHCA will also assist patients in completing tasks that they may struggle to do themselves, such as shopping for groceries. Depending on the care plan outlined by the overseeing Nurse, some housekeeping tasks like cleaning and laundry may also be involved. However, one thing that is not expected of Home Health Aide jobs is wound care, dressing changes, and/or administering medications.
Home Health Aides provide a personal and necessary service to home care clients. You’ll monitor and record patient well-being while offering assistance in meeting basic needs. You may also be tasked with providing medication reminders and assisting in ambulation as needed. Additionally, SHCAs provide emotional support and socialization for their patients. To do this, HHAs are required to undergo specific training on how to manage patients with behavioral issues, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Home Health Aide Educational Requirements
While there are no formal educational requirements to become an HHA/SHCA, candidates applying for these home healthcare assistant positions will need to pass a background check and have a clean driving record. Mandated training is also required and will vary state to state.
Currently, MAS Home Care has Home Health Aide jobs available in Massachusetts.
To be considered for one of these positions, the following details will need to be met.
| Initial Training | In-Service Training | Supervision | BG Checks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HHA | 75 hours of training required, with 16 hours of practicum. | 12 hours per year. | For patients receiving skilled services: every 2 weeks. For patients receiving non-skilled services: every 62 days. |
|
| SHCA | 75 hours of Home Health Aide job training along with 15 hours training on behavioral and emotional health training. | At least 12 hours per year. | Weekly supervision plus more in-depth supervision once every 3 months. Additionally, SHCAs must attend monthly 2-hour trainings and group supervision. |
|
Home Health Aide Job Outlook
If you’re passionate about helping people and are interested in starting a career in healthcare, a Home Health Aide job or Supportive Home Care Aide position is a great starting point. Home Care is a growing industry that helps families receive the care they need for their loved one, whether they are a child, adult, or elderly individual. In addition, demand for home care is expected to increase rapidly, including an increase in demand for Rhode Island home health jobs.
HHAs/SHCAs positively impact the lives of the people they care for, and individuals in these roles gain the opportunity to experience what it’s like to work in the medical field with little training and previous experience required. If you find that our Home Health Aide jobs suit you, in the future, you might consider becoming certified or licensed as a Nursing Assistant. This is a positive next step in any healthcare career journey.