Home care is home to a variety of administrative jobs, but also three distinct professions.
Home Care Aids
Home Care Assistants (HCAs), are front-line caregivers who provide care to the elderly and disabled in various community settings, including private homes, assisted living facilities, senior housing and other types of residences. Home Care Aides (HCAs) provide personal and supportive care to individuals, from medical assistance to housecleaning. They enable people to remain in their homes safely and comfortably.
HCAs will be selected based on factors such as maturity and the ability to handle the demands of their job. They work in most cases without any direct supervision by supervisory staff at their home care agency. Home care aides often find their jobs rewarding.
For an HCA to be hired, the individual must have the ability to read, write, communicate with clients and staff effectively, adhere to care plans and schedules and pass a criminal background investigation.
Want to start your own business in North Dakota providing home healthcare?
North Dakota is a great place to live and raise children. North Dakota has friendly neighbours and communities. Consider North Dakota home health aide insurance. You can protect both your career and finances by knowing what kind of insurance is required for a homecare aide.
Homemakers (Homecare Aide I)
Homemakers help with chores such as grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, laundry and light housekeeping. Homemakers are required to complete 40 hours in training, and to participate in six additional hours each year of training to refresh their skills.
Personal Care Homemakers II (Home Care Aide II).
Personal care homemakers help clients with such tasks as bathing and dressing, foot care, denture cleaning, shaving, eating and ambulation. Personal care homemakers must complete 60 hours in training, and they are required to participate in six additional hours of training each year for skill review.
Home Care Aide III
HHAs provide personal care and assist with ambulation, exercise and administering medication that is normally self-administered. Home health aides must complete 75 hours in training, and 12 additional hours of annual in-service training.
Many home care agencies recognize the importance of career advancement and offer career ladder programs to their HCAs. They are encouraged by these agencies to pursue educational opportunities. Many HCAs have become Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses or other healthcare professionals.
HCAs tend to be women but there is also a need for men.
The Benefits of Being a HCA
- Flexible schedule
- The satisfaction of building personal relationships with customers and helping them to live independently
- Independence/autonomy
- Travel reimbursement
- Health Insurance
- Paid time off
- Career advancement opportunities
Need for Home Care Assistants:
The latest data from the industry shows that home health aides will have the highest job growth over the next ten years. The number of jobs for home health aides is expected to grow by more than 30% between 2018 and 2028. If you count the need to replace workers that retire or leave the home care industry, there will over 4.7 millions job openings in the next 10 years for home care aides.
Nurses
You can become a nurse in several ways. You can either become a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurse (RN). Or you can get your Bachelor of Nursing.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
The program takes approximately one year. It’s also the fastest and least expensive way to become a nurse. However, there are fewer advancement opportunities, as well as lower salaries. Although LPNs are often licensed as part of an associate’s degree, certification is not required.
Registered Nurse (RN)
The next level of nursing is Registered Nurse (RN). This usually takes two years. Nursing students who complete a RN degree program will receive a nursing diploma or associate degree (ADN/ASN). Registered nurses are employed in a variety of fields. You’ll also need a Bachelors Degree if you want to work in management, education or advanced practice.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
BSN holders are in high demand, and can start careers at management levels. You can choose between two paths: either enroll in a 4-year college program to earn both a BSN as well as an RN’s license, or — for those who are already RNs, attend a BSN Bridge Program, which usually lasts 16 months to three years depending on your needs and time.
There are also graduate degrees in nursing, both at the Masters (MSN), and Doctoral levels (DNP).
