By Vicki Salemi
How great would it be to enter a job market in which you're practically guaranteed a position? There are few professionals who have that luxury, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), aspiring home health aides have a healthy career outlook since they are choosing the number-one fastest growing occupation through 2014.
Home health aides who enter homes to perform a variety of services such as feeding, bathing, and mobility, are in demand in nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, and home health care services. The career projection is not a revelation, says Rhonda Richards, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) senior legislative representative for federal affairs, especially "as baby boomers age and current senior citizens continue to extend their lifespan.” She cites recent AARP statistics: "In 2004, more than 15 percent of the population was older than 65 in three states; by 2020, 40 states will exceed that percentage. It’s no surprise then that the aging population will have an increased need for medical care and attention. And, for those who can, they’ll receive that care in the comfort of their own home.
Certification is key
“All jobs associated with aging, community-based care, and the elderly are in high demand,” says Diann L. Martin, Ph.D., RN, DNSc, dean of the Kaplan University School of Nursing and Health Care. “Home health care will continue to grow as our country faces a major shortfall in the resources needed to serve this population.”
In order to close this gap, potential home health aides must become certified by the state. While state requirements differ, says Martin, students at Kaplan complete at least a 75-hour training program that includes both classroom-based and hands-on training in elderly care, such as changing dressings, changing the gauge on an oxygen tank, and taking blood pressure. “Students learn how to help seniors walk, take vital signs, recognize and respond to emergencies, and assist with all the needs of elderly patients,” notes Martin. In addition to such physical tasks, home health aide professionals must also be well organized, detail-oriented, observant, and most of all, compassionate, he explains.
Due to the high demand, newly-trained aides should not have a problem finding employment. According to Nancy Averwater, CEO and administrator of Baptist Home Care and Hospice (Pensacola, Fla.), the best situation for a home care aide is working for a licensed and reputable home care agency. “This creates a safety net [because] the organization helps monitor home care environments for safety concerns, and the agency can help navigate difficult situations that arise from time to time.” While home care employees are paid directly from the agency, home health agencies can be certified through Medicare and also typically accept private insurance.
Must have heart
A big component on the job, of course, is caring. The certification program can teach the skill set but not compassion, says Kettly Pierre. Kettly, who is a home health aide with Maxim Healthcare services, a member of the Long Island Chapter of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers, explains: “You have to have the heart. You must also be a good listener and realize you’re a patient's connection to the outside world.”
Kettly even feels as if she has become part of her patient’s family. “It’s amazing what you can learn from your patient.” While the aide since 1989 enjoys helping her patients with their daily tasks such as eating and taking medication, she also finds listening to their lifelong stories and working with them on solving jigsaw puzzles fulfilling as well.
Amidst all of the interaction and care provided, rigorous paperwork must also be completed. “It's simply part of the job,” attests Kettly, who marks her entry and exits of the home, what she feeds her patient and when, and maintains a checklist of personal care duties, bathing, and assisted mobility. While Kettly has currently been working with the same patient for the past seven months, the duration differs by client. For instance, some health care workers typically see four to six patients each day, and many patients will require three visits per week.
Employment and career growth opportunities
Although the demand for home health aides continues to increase, according to BLS, wages remain relatively flat. In 2004, median hourly earnings of home health aides were $8.81. The hourly wage represents the time worked in the home, not for travel time between jobs.
“The good news,” Martin says, “is that home health aides can move up the clinical career ladder by becoming a practical nurse, and ultimately a registered nurse.” Since there is also a nursing shortage, employers may assist by reimbursing staff to continue their education. The natural career path for health aides is to progress into more advanced health care positions such as nursing. In order to be a registered nurse, students must complete their associate degree, which typically takes 16 months to two years to complete.
Above all, Martin explains, “Effective home health aides know what to do for their patients, they do it well, and they care.” She continues, “I can teach people a set of necessary medical skills, but it is not easy to teach compassion and caring.”
Kettly confirms, “You have to have heart. When you pull into the driveway and your patient waves at you, that’s priceless. No salary can replace that.”
Author Bio:
Vicki Salemi, a frequent contributor to ClassesUSA.com, Online Degrees Magazine, and The CollegeBound Network, writes regularly about education and career issues. She is also the author of "The ABC's of College Life."