Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Home Health Aide
A Home Health Aide is a professional who provides essential care and assistance to individuals who require support in their own homes. These individuals may include the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or those recovering from illnesses or surgeries. Home Health Aides play a crucial role in helping these individuals maintain their independence and quality of life by assisting with daily activities and ensuring their overall well-being. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Home Health Aides.
Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.
Main Responsibilities of a Home Health Aide
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Home Health Aide:
Accompany
Accompany individuals to medical appointments and help with transportation.
Act
Act quickly and responsibly in cases of emergency.
Adapt
Adapt care plans to accommodate individual preferences and needs.
Adhere to
Adhere to all privacy and confidentiality guidelines.
Adhere to and support care management model within the agency.
Adjust
Adjust water temperature.
Administer
Administer simple prescribed medications.
Advise
Advise on nutrition, cleanliness, and housekeeping.
Alert
Alert clinical staff when concerns with client wellness arise.
Answer
Answer all call lights promptly, per policy.
Anticipate
Anticipate problems and modifies plans and procedures to provide solutions.
Appreciate
Appreciate the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident and facility information.
Ask
Ask for assistance when work assignment is too heavy.
Assist with
Assist client in and out of bed and from bed to chair and wheelchair.
Assist clients with general housekeeping tasks.
Assist client with safe ambulation with or without aids.
Assist client with self-administration of medicine.
Assist client with therapy exercises under the direction of a Registered Therapist.
Assist client with the use of toilet or bedpan.
Assist in the admission and discharge of residents.
Assist in the provision of the emotional and physical comfort and safety of the residents.
Assist in transporting residents to and from P / T, Religious Services, and Activities.
Assist or cleans resident after meals.
Assist patient in dressing, shaving, combing hair and making oneself presentable.
Assist patients by providing personal services, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Assist patients by providing personal services, such as, bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Assist patients with activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting.
Assist patient with appropriate hygiene and grooming inclusive of bed bath, sponge, tub, or shower.
Assist patient with proper positioning and safe ambulation.
Assist residents with mobility or transfer as needed using gait belt, wheelchair, walker, and lifts.
Assist seniors with personal care such as bathing, grooming, and hygiene.
Assist the client with meal preparation and day to day needs.
Assist with activities of daily living (i.e. doing laundry).
Assist with bowel and bladder care, including changing diapers or catheter care.
Assist with care after death, per policy.
Assist with clients personal care activities / bathing, dressing grooming.
Assist with end-of-life care and provide emotional support to individuals and their families.
Assist with meal planning, preparation, and feeding.
Assist with meeting the recreational and spiritual needs of the individual resident.
Assist with personal hygiene tasks, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing.
Assist with physical exercises and therapy routines.
Assist with physical therapy exercises.
Assist with preparation for state inspections as directed.
Assist with respite care for family caregivers.
Assist with the rehabilitation of resident according to the resident's plan of care.
Assist with the use of assistive devices, such as walkers or canes.
Assist with wound care, dressing changes, and manage medical equipment.
Attach
Attach all these to get a response and for faster processing of your application.
Attend
Attend 12 hours of in-service education provided by the nursing home annually.
Attend in-service programs to meet compliance requirements.
Attend / participates in case conference meetings when appropriate.
Attend survey training and interacts with state surveyors as directed by immediate supervisor.
Carry out
Carry out all duties in accord with the facility mission and philosophy.
Check
Check and report bowel movements and character of stools as instructed.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with healthcare professionals, such as nurses and therapists, to provide comprehensive care.
Collaborate with others to facilitate continuity of care by all providers within assigned caseload.
Collaborate with seniors and their families to determine a personalized care plan.
Collaborate with team members to efficiently build sustainable, performant, and maintainable code.
Collect
Collect routine specimens.
Collect specimens as directed by nurse.
Communicate
Communicate well with care team and management.
Complete
Complete all required documentation accurately and within agency deadlines.
Complete at least six hours of in-services every six months.
Complete DHS PCA certification test (for PCA only).
Complete records accurately and carries out all assignments as requested.
Complete TB 2-Step (we can provide at agency).
Complete the appropriate records to document care given and pertinent observations.
Complete training and orientation (we provide at agency).
Contribute
Contribute across disciplines to shepherd features from initial design to completion.
Create
Create a safe, healthy environment for the patients.
Design
Design and implement core features and systems.
Develop
Develop additional client services offerings based on client and market needs.
Develop best practices to be shared with the growing team.
Document
Document actions by completing forms, reports, logs, and records.
Document and reports food and fluid intake accurately.
Document care provided and completes the forms required for the client's records.
Educate
Educate individuals and their families on health management and disease prevention.
Encourage
Encourage seniors to try new things and stay active (within reason).
Ensure
Ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the individual.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations and infection control measures.
Ensure seniors are eating a balanced diet and taking their prescribed medications.
Establish
Establish priorities and organize work and time appropriately.
Exercise
Exercise the patient as needed.
Feed
Feed residents who require total assistance according to their plans of care.
Follow
Follow assignments and guidelines set by RNs, PTs, and / or OTs.
Follow infection control guidelines.
Follow reporting guidelines in the Care Plan.
Handle
Handle all resident property with respect.
Help
Help at Home Cares Fund to provide financial support for employees in need.
Help at Home is still hiring in your community.
Help clients take prescribed medication.
Help patient in and out of bed, assisting with ambulation.
Help patients by supporting personal hygiene and daily living needs.
Help patients walk with canes, walkers, or other devices.
Help patient to bathroom.
Help patient with bath, mouth, skin, and hair care.
Help patient with prescribed exercises.
Help with going out of doors, visiting doctors or clinics, and other assistance with ambulation.
Help with increasing independence and improving adaptive skills.
Help with mobility and transfer individuals from beds to wheelchairs or vice versa.
Help with mobility around the house or outside (doctor's appointments, walks etc.).
Identify
Identify learning needs to Agency supervisor.
Incorporate
Incorporate information obtained from report.
Increase
Increase the level of patients' comfort.
Instruct
Instruct and counsel patients and families on diet and exercise.
Keep
Keep notes to assist with organization of tasks.
Keep resident dry (i.e. change gown, clothing, linen, etc., when it becomes wet or soiled.).
Lift
Lift, transport, and move patients using the appropriate techniques.
Maintain
Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of care provided.
Maintain a compassionate and empathetic approach towards individuals and their families.
Maintain and respects confidentiality of client and agency information.
Maintain a neat and safe environment for the patient / client.
Maintain a safe, clean, orderly, and pleasant physical environment throughout the facility.
Maintain a trusting and comforting environment in the home.
Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
Maintain patients care records and document provided services.
Maintain patients' personal hygiene.
Maintain privacy for resident at all times.
Maintain records of services performed and of apparent condition of patient.
Maintain work operations by following policies and procedures.
Make
Make beds, and maintain clean and safe environments for patients.
Manage
Manage and document daily care activities and any changes in the individual's condition.
Measure
Measure and record input and output as directed by Unit Charge Nurse and plan of care.
Meet
Meet the safety needs of the client and uses equipment safely and properly.
Monitor
Monitor and manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension.
Monitor and manage nutritional intake and dietary restrictions.
Monitor and record vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and temperature.
Monitor resident progress toward treatment goals and reports responses to Unit Charge Nurse.
Observe
Observe and report changes in client's condition to RN Case Manager.
Observe, record and report information about client's condition and home environment.
Observe the patients' medical health as well as their physical and mental responses.
Obtain
Obtain assistance of another staff member if needed before transfer.
Offer
Offer health care benefits.
Offer prompts to the client, if needed, such as toileting, eating, and any liquid needs.
Offer and respect resident choices in matters of daily routine.
Offer the patient adequate fluids and records fluid intake if directed by RN / LPN.
Participate in
Participate in and receive nursing report upon reporting for duty.
Participate in nursing service activities as requested.
Perform
Perform and documents direct client care delivery as specified on the care plan.
Perform domestic and household tasks.
Perform general housekeeping activities.
Perform household duties, including meal preparation and light housekeeping.
Perform housekeeping duties.
Perform light housekeeping duties, including cleaning, laundry, and organizing.
Perform light housekeeping, which facilitates client self-care in the home.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Perform range of motion exercises and assistance with exercises.
Perform related duties as required.
Prepare
Prepare and / or serve meals and assist in feeding.
Prepare and serves food for patient, following special prescribed diets.
Prepare meals and snacks according to instructions.
Prepare meals and special diets.
Prepare meals within patient's diet and assists client with eating, when necessary.
Protect
Protect organization's value by keeping patient information confidential.
Provide
Provide clients with product training, remote as well as onsite when required.
Provide companionship and basic emotional or psychological support.
Provide companionship and engage in social activities with the individual.
Provide companionship to our patients.
Provide compassionate companionship to patients.
Provide custom report writing and data visualization services to clients and partners.
Provide emotional support.
Provide emotional support and be attentive to the individual's mental well-being.
Provide for the personal needs and comfort of people in their own homes.
Provide hands on patient / client care.
Provide health care services in patients residences.
Provide input and feedback to the healthcare team regarding the individual's progress and needs.
Provide life skills and compassionate encouragement.
Provide medication reminders and assist with medication administration.
Provide non-medical care to seniors in their own homes.
Provide patients with mobility assistance.
Provide personal care, such as bathing and dressing patients.
Provide routine individualized care to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities.
Provide specialized healthcare such as administering medication and changing bandages.
Provide temporary respite and relief from total care responsibilities for the primary caregivers.
Provide transportation assistance to and from activities.
Provide various personal caregiving services in accordance with an established plan of direct care.
Provide weight-bearing assistance or physical support for ambulating.
Provide written and verbal reports about the residents' condition and guidance to their families.
Recognize
Recognize and report any signs of distress, discomfort, or changes in behavior.
Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Recognize emergencies and follows agency procedures appropriately.
Recognize emergencies and is aware of procedures to follow in case of an emergency.
Record
Record accurate information in nursing assistant charting, per policy.
Record all entries on flow sheets, notes, charts, etc. in an informative and descriptive manner.
Refer
Refer to notes throughout the day.
Remove
Remove, clean, and sanitize them as necessary.
Report
Report all complaints and grievances made by the resident.
Report any observed or reported changes in the client's condition and / or needs to the RN.
Report observations and activities to the RN Case Manager or therapist responsible for the patient.
Report results as instructed.
Report to charge nurse when circumstances prevent meeting resident needs.
Report unusual behavior and any other pertinent patient information to supervisor.
Respite
Respite care for the patient / client's family.
Respond to
Respond to customer concerns in a professional and friendly manner.
Socialize with
Socialize with residents during mealtimes.
Strive
Strive to create a positive atmosphere built on trust and respect.
Submit
Submit documentation per Agency requirements—at least weekly.
Submit to Criminal Background Investigation, Motor Vehicle Driving Record.
Support
Support individuals in maintaining a clean and organized living space.
Support our communities by serving the needs of seniors and caregivers.
Support products post-launch.
Take
Take and record patient information.
Take pride in providing high quality care.
Take residents' temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure per facility policy.
Teach
Teach family members ways to care for the patient.
Transport
Transport and accompany patients to doctors office or to hospital.
Travel
Travel time and mileage reimbursement given.
Treat
Treat internal and external customers with respect on the phone or one on one.
Use
Use personal protective equipment properly whenever indicated.
Use proper techniques for bathing and hygiene care.
Utilize
Utilize a variety of platforms, frameworks, SDKs and APIs.
Wash
Wash and dry resident.
Work with
Work with team leadership to manage tasks and schedules.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Home Health Aide:
Proficiency in basic healthcare procedures, such as taking vital signs and administering medication.
Knowledge of proper body mechanics and safe patient handling techniques.
Understanding of infection control practices and protocols.
Familiarity with medical terminology and documentation.
Ability to operate and maintain medical equipment.
Competence in basic first aid and CPR.
Knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements.
Proficiency in assisting with range of motion exercises and physical therapy routines.
Understanding of different types of medical conditions and their management.
Ability to follow care plans and instructions from healthcare professionals.
Knowledge of emergency response protocols and procedures.
Competence in wound care and dressing changes.
Understanding of catheter care and ostomy management.
Proficiency in handling and disposing of biohazardous materials.
Knowledge of safety regulations and precautions related to home healthcare.
Ability to assist with respiratory treatments and oxygen therapy.
Understanding of mental health issues and techniques for providing emotional support.
Proficiency in operating mobility aids, such as wheelchairs or walkers.
Knowledge of age-specific care techniques for pediatric or geriatric patients.
Familiarity with different medical conditions and their symptoms.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Home Health Aide:
Compassion and empathy towards individuals and their families.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Patience and understanding when dealing with individuals who may have physical or cognitive limitations.
Strong observational skills to monitor changes in an individual's condition.
Ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate changing needs and schedules.
Respect for privacy and maintaining confidentiality.
Dependability and reliability in providing consistent care.
Interpersonal skills for building rapport and trust with individuals and their families.
Emotional resilience to handle challenging situations and provide emotional support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Home Health Aides play a vital role in supporting individuals in their homes by providing necessary care, assistance, and emotional support. Their responsibilities encompass various aspects of daily living and healthcare management. Possessing a combination of technical skills, such as knowledge of healthcare procedures and equipment, and soft skills, including compassion and effective communication, is essential for success in this profession.
