What is a home health aide job description

A Home Health Aide (HHA) has received formal training in patient home care skills and home management. They are qualified to perform duties and services that help you maintain your personal comfort and a clean, safe environment. These duties are provided with the supervision of a SelectCare Registered Nurse.

Home Health Aides are a level above Personal Care Aides because they have received more training.  SelectCare does not employ Personal Care Aides however our Home Health Aides can perform the same duties as a PCA and more. To learn more about these difference, visit our FAQ page.

Below are some of the specific job responsibilities of a Home Health Aide (hha):

A.   Assists in the personal care of the patient including:

• Oral hygiene

• Bathing activities including shower, partial or bed bath

• Toileting activities including the use of the urinal, bedpan, commode, assistance with ostomy appliances.

• Personal grooming activities including shampooing, skin care, shaving, perineal care

• Dressing activities

B.  Perform basic patient care skills including:

• Passive and/or active range-of-motion exercise

• Transfers

• Turning and positioning patients

• Taking and recording vital signs

• Providing ostomy care including changing of the apparatus as instructed by the Nursing Supervisor

• Measuring patient’s weight

• Measuring intake and output as directed by the Nursing Supervisor

• Performing fingerstick and glucometer readings and reports to Nursing Supervisor

• Performing nonsterile dressing changes as instructed by the Nursing Supervisor

• Cleaning equipment used by the patient

• Keeping daily records of patient activities and observations

• Submiting weekly records to the Director of Nursing and appropriate personnel on patient’s condition

C.  Provide household services in order to maintain a safe, clean environment including:

• Personal laundry of the patient

• Making and changing the patient’s bed daily

• Dusting and vacuuming the rooms used by the patient

• Dishwashing the patient’s utensils

• Tidying and wet mopping the kitchen and bathroom to ensure a clean and sanitary area

• Disposing of the patient’s garbage at the end of each shift

• Tidying the patient’s bedroom

• Shopping for the patient if no other arrangement is possible

D.  Prepare and assist with the dietary requirements of the patient including:

• Preparation of the prescribed diet for the patient

• Assisting with patient feeding when necessary

• Providing between meal nourishment

• Assisting with menu planning and grocery shopping

E.  Assist the patient in maintaining their daily activities and quality of life style including:

• Socializing with family and friends

• Accompany the patient to medical appointments, social activities and outings as tolerated by the patient

  A Home Health Aide will spend the majority of their time caring for someone in need. There are many people in need who may need assistance on a daily basis. Home health aides provide basic medical care that fulfills their client’s needs. Depending on the client’s level of care and their needs, different tasks will be performed. Some tasks may include toileting, showering, feeding/meal preparation, dressing, cleaning, companionship, and driving the person around when needed. Many home health aides will benefit from the experience as a CNA or helping in retirement homes, as the majority of clients will be elderly individuals.

  Sample job description #1

  We are looking for a compassionate Certified Healthcare Home Health Aide (CHHHA) to provide assistance in daily living and personal care services in patients homes in accordance with an established care plan.

  Responsibilities

  • Provide health care services in patients residences
  • Perform domestic and household tasks
  • Transport and accompany patients to doctors office or to hospital
  • Administer simple prescribed medications
  • Assist with clients personal care activities
  • Monitor patients (vital signs, temperature, respiration, etc) and report on their condition
  • Maintain patients care records and document provided services
  • Assist patients with mobility and physical therapies/exercises
  • Instruct and counsel patients and families on diet and exercise
  • Collect routine specimens
  • Provide companionship and basic emotional or psychological support

  Skills

  • Certification to practice as an Aide in state of NJ (CHHHA Cert)
  • Ability to monitor vital signs and to collect specimens
  • Familiarity with basic nutrition and personal hygiene standards
  • Proficiency in English
  • Nursing and health care administration skills
  • Caring and compassionate personality
  • Current CPR certificate
  • First Aid training
  • Valid driver’s license
  • High school degree

  Sample job description #2

  A Home Health Aide ( HHA )

  • Provides direct patient care to patient under direction of the RN and according to the Aide Plan of Care (POC).
  • Correctly assists the patient with self-administered medications by opening bottle caps for the patient, reading medication labels to the patient, checking the dose being self-administered against the prescribed dose on the container label, and observing the patient takes the medication
  • Consistently takes accurate temperature, pulse, and blood pressure measurements and recognizes and reports abnormal results to supervisor
  • Helps patient maintain good personal hygiene by performing or supervising bathing, grooming, skin care, shaving, oral care, nail/foot care, and other activities
  • Assists in feeding patients. Is able to communicate basic principles of nutrition, observe, and record food and fluid intake when necessary. Safely positions patient for meals and feeds or assists in self feeding
  • Assists with patient toileting including use of bed pan/urinal, change, and position catheter bags and bag change procedures on well-regulated ostomies
  • Provides necessary skills to safely assist the patient with patient mobility, exercises, positioning/turning, transfers, and ambulation per Plan of Care and Kindred at Home policy
  • Provides necessary skills to appropriately report changes and document pertinent information and care rendered to patient to ensure continuity of care. Documents interactions with patients, caregivers, doctors, and other staff members appropriately, legibly, thoroughly, and in the amount of time allowed
  • Practice acceptable infection control principles. Provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment
  • Willingly assists with other household duties including light laundry, bed changing and bed making, light meal preparation, light housekeeping, and shopping (if no other assistance is available and an MD order is present)

  Required experience and skills

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Completion of Certified Nursing Assistant or Certified Home Health Aide Program within the last 24 months
  • Must meet applicable state certification requirements
  • Must be in good standing on the HHA Registry (if applicable) and have completed HHA/CNA course to work for a Medicare certified agency
  • At least one year experience in the last 24 months as a Home Health Aide or Certified Nursing Assistant in a hospital, nursing home, or home health/hospice agency

  Sample job description #3

  Provides personal care and related services in the home. Functions under direct instruction and supervision of an RN or therapist coordinating patient care.

  Essential functions

  • Follows written instructions for patients care as prepared by an RN, PT, OT, or SLP Therapist
  • Provide and assists patients with personal care (which may include lifting, positioning, turning and transferring patients without assistance) to preserve good personal hygiene while maintaining a healthful, safe environment
  • Performs simple procedures as an extension of therapy services, such as ambulation, ROM, and exercise only as prescribed by the PT or OT
  • Reports changes in patient’s condition and needs to Clinical Supervisor, RN, PT, or OT
  • Completes and maintains electronic record of services performed and of observed status of patient
  • Establishes and maintains appropriate rapport with the patient and family
  • Participates in patient care conferences to provide input regarding observed patient health and environmental conditions
  • Perform household services as identified in the plan of care
  • Practices infection control and universal precautions for self and others in patient care activities
  • Maintains annual CHHA Certification and compliance education

  Skills

  • Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Ability to prioritize and critically think (Scheduling and prepare for visits)
  • Organizational skills, time management (Scheduling and prepare for visits)
  • Ability to handle the demands of the job
  • Flexibility to adapt to new and changing situations
  • Demonstrates customer service skills
  • Reliable transportation

  Education

  Coursework/Training – Graduate of a Certified Home Health Aide training program

  Licenses and certifications

  • Current Home Health Aide Certification
  • Valid CA Driver’s License
  • Auto insurance

  Average salary and compensation

  The average salary for a home health aide is $28,200 per year in the United States. Salary may depend on the level of experience, education, and geographical location. States have varying degrees of required qualifications and expectations, which may change the average salary.

  LocationSalary LowSalary HighPhoenix, Arizona$28,050$37,950Los Angeles, California$31,650$42,800Denver, Colorado$26,350$35,650Washington, DC$32,100$43,450Miami, Florida$26,250$35,500Orlando, Florida$24,200$32,750Tampa, Florida$24,450$33,100Atlanta, Georgia$25,650$34,700Chicago, Illinois$29,500$39,900Boston, Massachusetts$31,900$43,150Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota$25,400$34,400New York City, New York$33,550$45,400Philadelphia, Pennsylvania$27,300$36,950Dallas, Texas$26,600$36,000Houston, Texas$26,500$35,850Seattle, Washington$30,700$41,500National Average$24,000$32,450

  What is the highest pay for a home health aide?

  Highest paying cities for Home Health Aides near United States.

  New York, NY. $18.67 per hour. 433 salaries reported..

  Chicago, IL. $17.46 per hour. 106 salaries reported..

  Philadelphia, PA. $16.97 per hour. 423 salaries reported..

  Brooklyn, NY. $16.92 per hour. 626 salaries reported..

  Houston, TX. $16.42 per hour. ... .

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  What does a home health aide do in California?

  Certified Home Health Aides (HHAs) are healthcare professionals who provide non-medical, in-home support services to clients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, according to an authorized plan of care. HHAs assist patients with personal care, exercise, ambulation, and nutrition, depending on client needs.