What Is a Health Care Aide and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Is a Health Care Aide?
A health care aide provides help to patients who have chronic illnesses, cognitive or physical impairments, or other disabilities. As a health care aide, your job duties vary, depending on your patient’s needs. Responsibilities may include helping your patient bathe and get dressed, administering medications and supplements, providing walking support, and collaborating with other health care professionals to ensure a high standard of care. Health care aides who work in a patient’s home may also assist with light housekeeping and meal preparation.
How to Become a Health Care Aide
Health care aides provide personal assistance and medical help to patients in a variety of settings. You may work in a hospital, senior housing facility, nursing home, family services organization, or government social services agency. Some health care aides work directly for an individual who has a disability or chronic illness at their home on a contract basis.
Where Can a Health Care Aide Work?
To become a health care aide, you need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Take courses in first aid training and CPR certification. Many employers provide on-the-job training to ensure you understand the responsibilities of the job; duties may include administering medications, light housekeeping, and food preparation for patients with special dietary needs. Seek positions in health care facilities, such as hospitals or nursing homes, or you may obtain a job with a home health care agency that places you with patients. Once you have some experience, you may also work as an independent contractor and work directly with patients in their homes.
Is Health Care Aide a Good Job?
Working as a health care aide is an excellent job for those who want to help others with their health care needs, but may not want to pursue a formal education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts tremendous demand for this career; they estimate a 41% job growth for health care aide positions between 2016 through 2026. This career may be challenging and requires a lot of patience and empathy for your patients, but it can be very rewarding.
