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Healthcare

Home Health Aide/Caregiver

Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Provide assistance with routine healthcare tasks or activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, or ambulation. May also help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry depending on the patient's abilities.

Annual openings

9,719

BLS median wage

n/a

Typical education

High school preferred, plus short term, on-the-job training

10-year growth

+28%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

High school preferred, plus short term, on-the-job training

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job.

Work experience

Entry-level

Experience detail

This is an entry-level role so no experience in a Healthcare environment is required. However, full or part-time work experience of any kind developing the listed knowledge and abilities is preferred, with previous Healthcare and Customer Service experience being valued.

Training

There are no entry-level training requirements for this job. Many employers provide basic training on the job in areas such as proper patient lifting techniques.

Employer competency information

Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job

  • Communication — Effective communication in areas such as being able to understand and communicate a patient care plan, providing feedback on patient outcomes, and training patients on self-care are important.
  • Customer Focus — Excellent one-on-one customer service (establishing rapport, having a good bedside manner, providing culturally sensitive care, etc.) is critical.
  • Interpersonal Skills — There will be a wide variety of patients and it is important to be able to provide relevant, culturally sensitive care to them. Being bi-lingual/bi-cultural is a plus.
  • Integrity — You will sometimes be alone with a patient for an extended time, maintaining professional boundaries, being honest and dependable, and having a strong work ethic are important.
  • Health & Safety and Physical Abilities — You need the ability to safely lift/transfer patients and maintain and communicate safety protocols.
This job has been identified as a good entry-level job to gain experience for future advancement in Healthcare, Public Health, or long-term care careers.
Most of these activities take place in a customer's home, providing the opportunity for more one-on-one interaction than in most care facilities.
Many employers value being trained in Medication Administration/QMAP so the Home Health Aide can administer medication under supervision. This can be obtained through additional training, and it could result in additional pay!

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

  • With kids/peopleOccasionally
  • On a computerOccasionally
  • Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
  • With your handsOccasionally

Interests it draws on

  • Healthcare
  • Home Healthcare

Automation exposure

Moderate exposure

Some routine tasks may shift as tools improve, but the role is likely to adapt.

A typical day

  1. Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
  2. Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
  3. Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
  4. Bathe patients.
  5. Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
  6. Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.