EMPLOYMENT

REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications 18 Years of age or older High School Diploma / GED / Trade School Current CPR Certiciation Current First Aid Certification Experience in Health Care Field *Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screens (if considered for employment)

TRAINING

Because the nature of the job differs from client to client, home care assistants receive the bulk of training at work. Under the supervision of another home care assistant, a certified home health aide or a nurse, the aspiring caregivers learn to perform specific tasks and acquire skills necessary for each client’s needs. Some employers also offer training classes in topics such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and may also require that students pass a competency test before beginning work. Certification, however, may be necessary for home health aides to secure a good job. Along with an exam, the certification process comprises approximately 75 hours of additional training. Employers often rely on the National Association for Home Care and Hospice for the certification process. Certification is not required for personal care aides.

DIRECT SERVICE WORKERS

Home care assistants can be divided into two broad branches: personal care aides and home health aides. Direct Service Workers tend to tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking and light housekeeping. Additional responsibilities include organizing a client's schedule, grocery shopping, helping a client enjoy recreational opportunities, and providing valuable companionship for someone who may live alone and have no formal caregiver.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Although “home” is in this occupation’s title, people who work as home care assistants may work in other environments such as residential group homes, retirement homes, community centers, or nursing care facilities. These caregivers may with one client, a few clients, or several groups. The length of a work assignment may last one day, several days, weeks, months or even years. Working different shifts including weekends, nights and holidays is often a requirement for this type of work.