In the home care industry, you can either directly work with the patients, taking care of them, or you could work in an administrative role. Even though there are various administrative positions available in the home care industry, there are three career paths in the field of caring for patients, that are more popular. So if you want to work in home care, you may be picturing working as a home health aide, a nurse, or a therapist.

But what do these career paths actually entail?

1. Home Health Aide

Home health aides work on the frontline, caring for patients who want to live in the comfort of their own homes. You could find yourself caring for the elderly, a patient with disabilities, or those suffering from chronic illnesses. There are various settings that you could find yourself working in.

You could find work in residential settings, in senior housing facilities as well as residences for assisted living. You’ll need to provide both personal care as well as supportive care, to your patients. You could need to help with housekeeping as well. You’ll also need to ensure that the patient is taking all the medicines they need to take. Essentially, you’ll be helping the patient lead a safe and comfortable life.

As a home health aide, you should have an attitude that is sympathetic. You’ll need to know how to take care of sick patients, and how to properly deal with the demands of your job. You usually won’t be provided with constant supervision, or have a supervisory staff supporting you. If you enjoy working in an independent manner, then this career path could be perfect for you.

In order to become a home health aide, you should know how to read as well as write. You should also know how to communicate both with patients as well as the administrative staff. You’ll need to know how to follow care plans, and you’ll also need to pass your criminal background check.

There are three kinds of services you can provide to clients:

Homemaking Services

You’ll be helping the patient with shopping, meal preparation, and other light housekeeping tasks such as doing the laundry.

Personal Care Services

You’ll need to assist the patient with bathing, denture care, dressing, shaving, ambulation, as well as eating.

Home Health Services

You will need to provide personal care that is hands-on and also perform procedures that are simple, as designated by a nurse or the therapist. You will also need to help the patient do their daily exercise, and help them take their medications.

There are many home care agencies that now provide training programs that help home health aides move up the career ladder. You could go on to become a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

You should also consider home health aide insurance. This is as your career leaves you vulnerable to certain risks, such as getting sued by patients. With home health aide insurance, you can protect your career as well as your finances. If you would like to learn more about home health aide insurance, thenclick here.

2. Nursing

Although there are several career paths available to you if you want to work as a nurse, three of these are more popular.

Licensed Practical Nurse

You’ll need to complete a course that lasts one year. This is often the least expensive path you can follow if you want to become a nurse. Nut there will be future opportunities for career advancement available to you.

Registered Nurse

To follow this career path, you’ll need to complete a course that lasts two years. You can go through a program for RNs, which will provide you wither with a nursing certificate or with an associate degree for nurses. As an RN, you can work in various areas.

BSc In Nursing

After earning your BSc, you’ll find that you’re in high demand. You’ll be able to work in careers in the management level. If you attend a college program, then you’ll receive your BSc and can also become a registered nurse.

3. Therapists

The third career path available to you is working as a therapist. You’ll need to complete a dedicated course for therapists. After completing your education, you can start working as a therapist that helps patients who are being provided with at-home care.

Conclusion

There are several career paths available to you in the home care industry. Of these, working as a home health aide is the most popular. The demand for home health aids is increasing, with a projected 30% rise in demand between 2018 and 2028. If you don’t want to work as a home health aide, you could also choose to work as a nurse or a therapist. Working in the home care industry can provide you with a stable career path.