What Skills Does a Home Health Aide Need?

Home health aide services allow seniors and those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or impairments to remain safe and healthy at home. By providing basic medical services and helping with a range of support and personal care services, as well as teaching families how to care for their loved ones, home health aides also offer the assistance and companionship many older clients need to be able to age in place.

A career as a certified home health aide is ideal for those interested in working hands-on with clients and making a difference in their lives. Generally, home health aides work under the supervision of a registered nurse or therapist and assist with healthcare and daily living activities in a patient’s home, day service program, or group home. They may visit the patient each day in a part-time or full-time position, or they might live with the patient. This consistent contact creates the opportunity to develop life-changing relationships with clients over time.

In addition to basic healthcare duties, which may include administering medications, changing bandages, and checking vital signs, home health aides perform tasks such as bathing, dressing, basic hygiene, and transfers. They may also be asked to do light housekeeping and errands. While some tasks are similar to those performed by nurses, the responsibilities of a home health aide are focused less on medical duties and more on making sure clients are safe, comfortable, and well cared for.

​​Fueled by the aging baby boomer population and increased demand for in-home healthcare services, the job outlook for home health aides is very strong. To become a certified home health aide, you need a high school diploma or general education degree (GED), must be CPR certified, and will need to be certified through a training program. The most successful home health aides are also detail-oriented, have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and excel at time management.

Dorson Vocational Training Institute’s Certified Home Health Aide/Homemaker program is divided into two modules. After fulfilling the online classroom requirements, you will need to schedule your skilled requirements to complete your training. You will then be able to submit information to the Board of Nursing for your license. We are fully licensed by the State of New Jersey and our courses are certified by The National Health Association.

To learn more about our Certified Home Health Aide/Homemaker program or other healthcare classes and training programs, call us at 973-676-6300 or fill out our online form. We’re happy to answer all of your questions!