Growing Employment Opportunities for Home Health Aides
The geriatric population in the United States is expanding and is expected to do so for the foreseeable future. The whole Baby Boomer generation will have reached the age of 65 by 2030. Currently, around 15 million Americans struggle to live independently and require daily assistance. Thus, the industry is widening its doors for more trained health aides. Without further ado, let’s discuss the growing employment opportunities for home health aides.
The Increasing demand for Home Health Aides
Home health care employment is expected to reach 4.7 million by 2028. During the same time frame, 8 million posts might go unfulfilled. This includes empty positions for personal care aides, home health aides, and nursing assistants, leaving families understaffed.
Between 2008 and 2018, the workforce for this specific industry rapidly increased, reaching the doubled number of 2.3 million. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for home health aides will be 36 percent by 2028, higher than the average job and nearly as fast as the healthcare business. They estimate an increase in market size of 1.18 million units.
The aging population and the expansion of Medicare coverage are driving up demand for home health aides. Furthermore, seniors with chronic diseases are living longer lives, and there is a societal shift toward elder independence. These and other factors are contributing to an increase in job vacancies in a competitive field.
Assisting the Elderly
Home health services require professional employees who are empathetic, patient, and kind to the elderly and their families. For its educational attainment, they simply accept high school graduates or the equivalent of a diploma. Yes, there is no prior work experience required as all home aides can be trained on the job.
Although certification programs are available at community colleges and other post-secondary institutions, they are not required. In these programs, students learn CPR, patient management, and infectious disease control. Some also entail working with people who are having emotional or social problems. Because of its simplicity, this is a frequent path into the healthcare field. If you enjoy engaging with people who have chronic illnesses or cognitive disabilities, this role could be for you.
Getting a Job as a Home Health Aide
The requirements for becoming a home health aide differ by state. Examine your state’s training, education, and certification requirements. In general, you should strive to complete the following tasks:
- Obtain your high school diploma or the equivalent.
You must have a high school diploma or GED to apply for home health aide training.
- Enroll in a program.
Several corporations and community organizations provide home health aide services. At a community college, the typical completion period is one year, whereas, at a private school, the average completion term is 75 hours.
Some employers provide on-the-job training but no official education. The quickest programs take four to seven weeks to finish. The curriculum also includes classroom and clinical education. Check to see if your program is state-certified; neglecting to do so may lead to issues later on. These classes are normally priced between $400 and $800.
- Follow the guidelines.
Under federal law, 75 hours of training are required, with 16 of those hours devoted to supervised practical or clinical instruction. There are state-specific training requirements.
- Get a passing grade on the exam.
After completing the training and program requirements, you must apply for state testing and certification. You must pass a written exam as well as a skills evaluation to be tested.
- Gain work experience.
As there will be plenty of job prospects for home health aides, you could start your job with home health or other care organization. Note that the majority of home health companies need documentation of training, certification, and a background check.
Conclusion
Being a home health aide takes heart, dedication, and perseverance. While this may not be easy, it’s a promising path that allows you to put your clinical knowledge to the test and further train for a wide array of future opportunities. Begin your journey today and see what the future holds for you as a home care health aide.
If you’re interested to learn more about healthcare training solutions, Medical Career Academy is committed to providing a high-quality educational experience in a variety of healthcare fields. We provide both a hands-on, real-world experience and a digital one designed by highly qualified and experienced educators. Reach out to us today and choose from our flexible payment options!