Home health aide is a growing profession. That’s because as the population ages, more and more people need help at home. It’s estimated that by 2030 there will be about 70 million people in the United States over the age of 65, and that kind of growth in the elderly population means there will be a need for home health aides for many years in the future. This is good news because becoming a home health aide puts you on a career path that’s rewarding and also offers you a good deal of flexibility in your work environment and schedule. So, what does it take to be a home health aide?
The training is quicker and less expensive than you might think. At ABC Training Center, becoming a home health aide only takes about three weeks, attending classes six hours, five days a week. What’s more, it’s not very expensive. The class costs $600 and can be paid off in installments. What’s more, if you decide to pursue specialization, you can continue to grow professionally, learning new skills and advancing in your career.
If you’re considering this kind of career, though, you should determine whether you have the necessary skills, as well as character and personality traits.
- Communication skills: Home health aides need to be able to communicate clearly with their patients and the patients’ families, as well as doctors and other medical professionals. They need to know how to actively listen, how to relay important information, and read, write, and speak clearly and effectively.
- Compassion: Because growing old or being ill or injured can be frightening, it’s crucial for home health aides to be empathetic and caring. Home health aides need to be able to care for their patients and make them feel safe while establishing a rapport and providing companionship.
- Patience: Some of the situations you’ll face as a home health aide may be uncomfortable or challenging. Patients with dementia, incontinent patients, and other patients at their rawest and most vulnerable can lead to unforeseen inconveniences that must be handled calmly and with an even-tempered approach.
- Attention to Detail: From the day-to-day tasks of patient care, to following directions of a patient’s doctor, the work of a home health aide requires organization and accuracy. Home health aides must be observant and competent in noting changes in a patient’s condition or behavior.
- Honesty: Working closely with someone, in that person’s home, in extremely intimate ways, requires a home health aide to build a relationship of trust with the patient and his or her family. They need to know they can trust you, and that you’re a dependable person with integrity.
- Flexibility: Sometimes, being a home health aide is about more than just healthcare. You might be asked to run errands or do household chores, or you might need to provide companionship and conversation while monitoring a patient’s vitals. This will require you to be flexible and open-minded, ready to jump in wherever you’re needed.
- Medical Knowledge: Some home health aides need more medical training than others, but they all need basic medical knowledge. Home health aides monitor vitals, dress wounds, and perform other basic medical services, as well as attending doctors’ appointments and understanding the information being shared by the doctor.
- Physical Stamina: Home health aides are often asked to do things like lift or turn patients, or carry things like groceries. They need to be comfortable standing for long periods as well as lifting and carrying heavy things. They also need to be able to drive patients to appointments and on errands.
If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a home health aide, ABC Training Center can provide the training you need. A healthcare training institute that NYC students trust, ABC Training Center been serving students in the New York City area since 1972. We provide high-quality, nationally certified programs that prepare students for meaningful work in any medical setting. Continue browsing to learn more about our medical training programs in New York, contact us through our website, or call us at 718-618-5589.