Spurred on by factors that include an aging U.S. population and patient preferences, home health care jobs in Killeen are plentiful. Using home health aides as an example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth exceeding 25% within the next eight years. If you’ve always wanted to work in home health care but weren’t sure what it entails, this handy guide should provide the answers you need.
What is Home Health Care?
As opposed to a setting like a hospital or nursing home, home health care refers to skilled nursing care, personal care, or therapeutic services provided in a patient’s private residence. A job in home health care means working with all types of patients in their homes under the supervision of their physicians.
Typically delivered by licensed medical professionals, home healthcare workers assist patients with various tasks, including wound care, tracking and administering medication, therapy services, mental health services, nutrition, and monitoring overall health. Home health care empowers patients and families by providing medical care in the comfortable surroundings of one’s home.
How Can I Work in Home Health Care?
Using nursing as an example, working in the home healthcare field as a nurse requires the same certification, licensure, and training as a registered nurse (RN). Licensure requirements vary by state, with some states requiring additional training once you’ve obtained an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree.
Experienced nurses who work in home health care are typically hired through an agency, whereas those with less clinical experience often start with private companies that offer additional training.
Is Home Health Care Right for Me?
While most healthcare professionals prefer working in a home environment versus a hospital or other medical facility, this career isn’t for everyone. And although the average healthcare worker wants to make a difference in their patients’ lives, home healthcare allows you to build personal relationships with patients and families you might not otherwise be able to enjoy.
Working in a hospital often also means long, stressful, and demanding hours, including overtime due to staff shortages. On the other hand, most home healthcare jobs offer flexible scheduling, creating a healthier work-life balance for those wishing to further their education or raise a family.
And finally, no two days are alike when working in the home healthcare field. Each day presents unique challenges and, more importantly, new opportunities