Home Health Aides
(SOC 31-1011)

Print Version

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.

Sample of job titles: Home Health Aide (HHA), Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Residential Counselor, Certified Medical Aide (CMA), Home Health Provider, Care Giver, Habilitation Training Specialist, Caregiver, Certified Home Health Aide

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
• Check patients' pulse, temperature, and respiration.
• Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
• Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
• Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
• Administer prescribed oral medications, under the written direction of physician or as directed by home care nurse or aide, and ensure patients take their medicine.
• Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
• Accompany clients to doctors' offices or on other trips outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship.
• Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.
• 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.

New Hampshire Outlook

• Average Hourly Wage*: $11.63
• Estimated Employment 2010: 2,309
• Projected Employment 2020: 3,750
• Expected 10-Year Growth: 62.4%
• Projected Average Annual Openings: 174

Top industries in NH for this occupation:

• Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
• Local Government, ex. Education
• Self-Employed Workers
• Employment Services
• Social Assistance

Education and Training

Most Home Health Aides are not required to have any formal education, however, most have at least a high school diploma. They are usually trained on-the-job by a supervisor, usually for safety and emergency response protocol. In some states, a more formal educational program is required.

In New Hampshire, the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Facilities Administration is responsible for regulation and oversight of home heath care providers. Licensure is issued to home health care organizations or business entities.

Interests (Holland Code): SR

• Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
  
• Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  

Career Cluster: Human Services

Work Environment
Home health and personal care aides work in a variety of settings. Most work in a client's home; others work in small group homes or larger care communities.

Additional Information Sources**
National Association for Home Care and Hospice
<www.nahc.org>

Home Care Association of New Hampshire
<www.homecarenh.org>

To Find a Job
Contact the nearest NH Employment Security office or go online to www.nhes.nh.gov

* New Hampshire Occupational Employment and Wages, September 2012. Wage estimates based on surveys through May 2011, adjusted to June 2012.
** Inclusion of this information is intended to provide a convenient resource for research, but in no way constitutes an endorsement for any organization; nor is the list all-inclusive.

Source:
NH Employment Projections, base year 2010 to projected year 2020
Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010, Bureau of Labor Statistics

For more information:
Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau
(603) 228-4124
elmi@nhes.nh.gov