What Do They Do?
What Do They Do?
Home health and personal care aides work in the homes of people and in other settings with people who need assistance in caring for themselves. They often help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They also help older adults who may need assistance or people recovering from an illness who may live alone or need more assistance than their families can provide. Home health aides usually work under the supervision of a registered nurse or other health care practitioner. Home health aides may take and record a patient’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure; assist patients with activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, dressing, and toileting; help patients to get in and out of bed; and assist with nursing procedures. Home health aides may also observe and report on patients’ physical, mental, and emotional states to their supervisor. Personal care aides also assist with activities such as bathing and dressing but also assist in other activities of daily living such as laundry, meal preparation, and housekeeping.
For More Information:
New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/facilities/home_care/professional.htm
Where Do They Work?
Where Do They Work?
Home health aides are usually employed by home health agencies and work in patients’ homes, group homes, assisted care facilities, and day service programs. They often visit multiple patients on the same day. Most full time aides work about 40 hours per week, although part-time work is common. Because patients need care 24 hours a day, home health and personal care aides may work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
How Much Do They Earn?
How Much Do They Earn?
Median annual salary: $37,570
Entry-level annual salary: $34,705
For More Information:
New York State Department of Labor Searchable Wage Database: https://dol.ny.gov/occupational-wages-0
Supply and Demand
Supply and Demand
Home health and personal care aides are expected to grow statewide by 29% between 2022 and 2032, with nearly 92,000 average annual openings.
For More Information:
New York State Department of Labor Employment Projections: https://dol.ny.gov/employment-projections
Educational Requirements
Educational Requirements
Most home health and personal care aides have a high school diploma. Home health aides in New York must complete a 75 hour Department of Health training program, and personal care aides must complete a 40 hour training program. These training programs are available in a variety of settings, including high schools typically working through a Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), vocational technical schools, nursing care facilities, community colleges, and some home health agencies. Training program topics include communication and documentation skills; reading and recording vital signs; basic infection control procedures; body mechanics; maintenance of a healthy environment; emergency procedures; physical, emotional, and developmental characteristics of patients; personal hygiene and grooming; safe patient transfer techniques; normal range of motion and positioning; and healthy nutrition.
Licensure Requirements
Licensure Requirements
New York State does not license home health or personal care aides. Information on the individual once education is completed is added to the New York State Home Care Registry.
For More Information:
New York State Home Care Registry: https://apps.health.ny.gov/professionals/home_care/registry/home.action
Financial Support
Financial Support
Many home health agencies offer free home health and personal care aide training to individuals who agree to work for them on completion of training.
Education Programs
Education Programs
The New York State Department of Health maintains a list of approved training programs.