The population of the United States is aging. As a result, the demand for quality health care is only expected to grow, and home health care is likely to be a major factor in meeting this demand. What does this mean for job seekers? The home health care field is a great place to seek out attractive professional opportunities. In fact, there are several types of home health care nursing jobs to consider.
Working in the home health care field is an ideal choice for a wide array of people. While some home health care nursing jobs can only be filled by highly skilled professionals with extensive educations, others are perfect for compassionate, responsible people who are interested in good jobs that require minimal training. Which of these home health care nursing jobs would be a good fit for you?
Skilled Nurses
When the topic of home health care nursing jobs arises, skilled nursing positions are often the first jobs to come to mind. Charged with providing a wide range of skilled nursing services like checking vital signs, administering medications, and drawing blood, the professionals who hold these positions are generally either licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). LPNs have earned an associate degree in nursing and passed a licensing exam. RNs have earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passed a licensing exam.
Pediatric Nurses
Seniors are not the only ones who utilize home health care services. Children and young adults with health challenges also benefit from this type of care. Because children are not miniature adults, their health care needs and concerns are different. That’s why pediatric nursing skills are valued in the home health care setting. Since these positions typically require skilled nursing services, they are generally held by LPNs or RNs.
Therapists
Speech, occupational, and physical therapy services can enhance and hasten a patient’s recovery, and they can normally be delivered quite effectively in a home setting. Therapists are charged with helping patients rebuild strength, coordination, and skills. This is a job that requires expertise and education, so therapists are generally expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Caregivers and CNAs
Caregivers and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help their patients complete normal, everyday activities. They may assist with cooking or cleaning or help the patient with bathing, dressing, or other personal care tasks. They may even facilitate the patient’s effort to run errands or complete other similar chores. Caregivers and CNAs do not provide skilled medical services. A caregiver must be caring, responsive, and responsible, but there are no formal educational requirements for the position.
What about CNAs? To become a CNA, you must complete an accredited training program and pass a licensure exam. It’s not uncommon for people working towards a nursing degree to begin their professional careers as CNAs and work while they continue their studies.
Home Health Care Aides
Home health care aides smooth the path of patients who are elderly, convalescing, disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired by providing them with basic care. A home health care aide might assist with bathing, toileting, dressing, or other personal care tasks. They might help the patient move around or assist with prescribed exercises after receiving instruction from the appropriate professional. Although home health care aids do not administer medication, they can help a patient manage their medications by providing reminders, retrieving the medications, and observing the process. They may also assist with cooking and housekeeping chores. While there are no formal education requirements for home health care aides, certifications are available.
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Are you responsible, honest, patient, and compassionate? Do you enjoy helping others? Would you thrive in a job that allows you to make a positive difference in the lives of the people you encounter? Whether you’re new to the field of health care or an experienced provider interested in a new career direction, home health care offers many top-notch professional opportunities. At Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, we understand the value of quality. We work diligently to deliver excellent, client-focused home care services, and we need a top-quality team to get the job done. That’s why we strive to provide meaningful opportunities to caregivers and clinicians. An equal opportunity employer with locations in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Illinois, and Texas, we delight in seeing our employees realize their full potential. If you are searching for a home health care position, visit our career page today.
