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Though home care offers a wide range of administrative careers, it is also home to three specific professions:
Home Care Aides
Home Care Aides (HCAs) are the frontline caregivers for elders and the disabled residing in a variety of community settings including private homes, senior housing, and assisted living residences. They provide one-on-one supportive and personal care – everything from housecleaning to medical support – that enables individuals to live safely and comfortably in their own homes.
HCAs are selected on the basis of such factors as a sympathetic attitude toward the care of the sick and maturity and ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job. They work independently guidance and support from supervisory staff employed by their home care agency. Many home care aides find their work extremely rewarding.
To become a HCA, an individual must be able to read and write, communicate effectively with cleints adn agency staff, follow care plan directions and follow an assigned schedule, adn pass a criminal background check.
In Massachusetts, there are three levels of HCAs that provide services to clients:
Homemakers (Home Care Aide I)
Homemakers provide assistance with tasks such as shopping, menu planning, meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping. Homemakers must complete 40 hours of training and participate in up to 6 hours of additional trainings each year to review their skills.
Personal Care Homemakers (Home Care Aide II)
Personal care homemakers assist clients with tasks such as bathing, dressing, foot care, denture care, shaving, eating, and ambulation. Personal care homemakers complete 60 hours of training and must also participate in up to 6 hours of additional trainings each year to review their skills.
Home Health Aides (Home Care Aide III)
Home health aides (HHA) provide hands-on personal care, perform simple procedures as an extension of nursing or therapy services as delegated by the nurse or therapist, offer assistance in ambulation or exercises, and provide assistance in administering medications that are ordinarily self-administered. Home health aides complete 7S hours of training and must take an additional 12 hours of in-service trainings each year.
Recognizing the importance of career development, many home care agencies have established career ladder training programs for their home care aides. Home care aides are encouraged to take advantage of educational opportunities and many have gone on to become LPNs, RNs, and other professionals in the healthcare field.
While home care aides are predominantly women, there is a strong need for men in this profession as well.
Benefits of Working as a Home Care Aide:
- Flexibility of schedule
- Satisfaction of forming personal relationships with clients, and helping them live independently
- Ability to earn extra income while working in another health care setting - such as being a CNA
- Independence/autonomy
- Travel reimbursement
- Health insurance
- Paid time-off
- Career advancement opportunities
Projected need for Home Care Aides:
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, "home health aides and persona1 home care aides are predicted to be among the occupations with the largest job growth rate over the next decade." Between 2004 and 2014, the number of home health aides is expected to increase 56 percent and the number of personal and home care aides is expected to grow 41 percent.
Nursing
There are several paths that can be taken to become a nurse. You can become a LPN, an RN, or obtain your Bachelor's in Nursing.
Become an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs take approximately one year. In Massachusetts, an LPN’s scope of practice is limited to... While it’s the quicker, shorter, least expensive track to becoming a nurse, it also offers few opportunities for advancement and lower salaries than RNs receive. Though LPNs often receive their licenses in the course of earning an Associate’s Degree, the certification does not require a degree.
Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
A Registered Nurse (RN) is the next type of nurse that you can become. Typically, this takes approximately two years to achieve. Nurses who go through a RN program receive either a nursing certificate or an associate's degree in nursing (ADN or ASN). Registered nurses can work in many areas and have a wide range of privileges. If you eventually want to enter management, education, or advanced practice, you’ll need a Bachelors Degree in additiona to your RN and should enroll in a combined program (see below)
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)
Another option is to complete a four-year program in nursing which gives you a bachelor's Degree in Nursing in addition to an RN license. More and more facilities prefer nurses with their BSN. To obtain your BSN you can either go to a four-year college or you can obtain your RN and then go to a bridge program and obtain your BSN. Graduate degrees – both at the Masters (MSN) and Doctoral (DNP) level – are also available.
Therapists & Specialists
Thre are many programs available that focus on specific disaplines. To learn more, visit our Training page.
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