Home Health Aide

Welcome to The 2011 Hot Jobs Guide

Why It’s Hot: Employment for home health aides is expected to grow a whopping 50% by 2018. This is largely due to the projected rise in the number of elderly people, a demographic that requires home healthcare far more often than younger people. Receiving care in the home is also a developing trend, as most patients prefer it to a hospital stay.

• What You’ll Do:

All nurses, whether registered, licensed or vocational have similar job descriptions. They administer medicine and treatments, provide education, and offer personal care and emotional support for patients who are physically or mentally ill. Depending on the nlevel of education, some nurses may also record

patients’ medical progress, assist doctors with diagnostic procedures or surgery, and help rehabilitate patients. Offering moral support and education for patients’ families is also a critical part of a nurse’s job description. Home Health Aides may be licensed or unlicensed depending on individual state requirements, and these nurses provide similar care for patients, but this is done in the patient’s home rather than a health-care institution. Some homebound individuals require around the clock care, which is sometimes provided by a live-in home health aide, who resides in the home with the patient at all times. In order for the home health nurse to obtain days off or vacation time, the family generally acquires the services of a per diem home health aide to fill in on these occasions.

• What You’ll Earn