Home Health Aide Jobs in Manhattan, NY
For some families, taking care of a loved one at home is only possible with the help of a health aide. Hiring caregivers can reduce a lot of stress for families who are struggling to provide adequate care to an elderly, disabled, or ill individual. Learn more about home health aide services, job qualifications, job tasks, and more.
What Are the Qualifications for Home Health Aides in New York, NY?
While the local requirements to become a home health aide (HHA) will vary from county to county, most New York, NY personal care assistants will need to meet the same basic requirements. This includes passing a competency test or equivalent exam, completing a basic training program, and meeting other professional standards. For example, people who want to work in a home care setting will need to pass a drug screen and a background check to obtain identity and employment authorization.
What About Continued Education?
It’s necessary for HHAs to keep up with state regulations, particularly rules about how to maintain an active HHA employment authorization. For many, this means following continued education requirements. Continued education can include seminars that train caregivers in client-specific skills, cultural sensitivity, and much more. HHAs may need to complete a certification or equivalent exam approved by the state annually to maintain employment.
What Are Job Benefits for Home Health Aides?
Working as a home health aide has many benefits. An HHA needed for private pay clients can be hired through licensed agencies. The agency is responsible for training the caregiver, keeping up with related administrative responsibilities, and processing payment for shifts. Some of the main job benefits for a home health aide (HHA) include:
Flexible Schedule
Hours range from a part-time work schedule to a full-time work schedule depending on the client’s needs. For example, some clients may only need a personal care aide for a few hours a week, while others who require extensive care may need help for 12-hour shifts. However, many home health aides enjoy flexible hours, such as alternating shifts day and night based on the client’s needs and the caregiver’s personal schedule.
Generous Salaries
The starting pay for an HHA is competitive, with many caregivers earning a median wage of $17 per hour. A mature caregiver may have an increased wage based on special job qualifications or cumulative career hours. There is also overtime pay for HHAs who need to work beyond their scheduled work hours.
Paid Sick Leave
A home health aide will also have paid sick leave. This is an important benefit because caregivers should not work when they are sick since this could expose the client to infectious diseases. Additionally, caregivers who are injured should wait until they are fully recovered so they can provide the best care for the client.
Paid Time Off
Caregivers will receive proportional paid time off per each payroll invoice. PTO hours can be used to enjoy paid holidays, mental health days, or for any other reason. Paid time off can give caregivers a well-earned break from the emotional and physical demands of the job.
Live-In Assignments
Some caregivers may also be eligible for live-in assignments. A live-in home health aide may be necessary for clients who need around-the-clock or overnight care. For example, a live-in personal care aide may be necessary for a client with mobility challenges and incontinence issues.
Other Benefits
Other job benefits can include free life insurance, associate pay rates, and a competitive package of health insurance benefits. Compared to other licensed agencies, the job benefits for caregivers contracted with Parent Care are extensive.
What Are Home Health Aide Services?
Home health aides offer assistance with many personal care activities, such as helping clients with daily living tasks like running errands, shopping for groceries, or transportation to doctor appointments. Many personal care aides also offer companionship for clients who are homebound. Some of the main services offered by an HHA include:
Home Management Tasks
Light housekeeping, laundry services, and organizing the home are common tasks for home health aides. These home management tasks are essential for maintaining the environmental health of the client, which can reduce infection and disease and eliminate issues such as mold and infestations. Providing housekeeping and other home management tasks can also reduce the risk of falls.
Meal Preparation
Home health aides may also need to help with meal preparation. Serving meals that are nutritionally balanced and easy for the client to consume is particularly important for clients who have issues related to eating. A personal care aide may also provide warm or cold beverages to ensure the client is drinking enough water to avoid dehydration, particularly during the winter and summer.
Personal Care Services
Job tasks related to personal care include bathing, showering, grooming, dressing, toileting assistance, and more. Personal hygiene is essential, as this will ensure the patient can maintain a level of dignity, particularly for tasks such as toileting assistance.
Medication Reminders
Some clients may also need medication reminders or assistance with medication management. For example, an HHA may open and sort medications or set alarms to remind a client to take medications on time. Sometimes, a personal care aide will also need to prepare snacks if the client needs to take the medication with food.
Medical Care
Sometimes, it may also be necessary to provide medical care in a home care setting. For example, clients with a compromised immune system or a chronic condition may require ongoing care. Home health aides are trained to assist with medical monitoring, particularly HHAs who are registered nurses.
What Other Responsibilities Does a Home Health Aide Have?
In addition to providing home health services, a caregiver will have other responsibilities related to the care of the client. For example, the caregiver is obligated to report any major health changes to the client’s family and the client’s case manager.
If the client has a fall, contracts a serious infection, or needs to be hospitalized, the HHA must report these changes immediately. Not only does this ensure the family and case manager are up-to-date on the status of the client, but this also ensures the client receives optimal care.
Mandatory Reporter
A home health aide is considered a mandatory reporter. This means that an HHA must report any suspicion or evidence of abuse to the family, case manager, and legal authorities, such as the police. Abuse can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. For elderly and disabled clients, financial abuse is a serious concern that can affect the client’s ability to pay for health services and other healthcare costs.
How Are Services Determined for Each Client?
Whether clients live in Manhattan or Staten Island, the way services are determined for each client is the same. First, a client will have to undergo an assessment with a case manager, who will identify the daily living tasks the client needs assistance with. Factors that help build the care plan will include whether the client lives alone, has mobility restrictions, or needs medical monitoring. The care plan is then followed by health care aides. A home health aide may tailor the care plan to the particular daily needs or requests of the client as long as the HHA is approved to provide those services.
What Does Private Pay Client Mean?
A private pay client in New York is a client who pays out of pocket for personal care services. An HHA needed for a private pay client will offer the same services as an HHA needed for a client who pays through insurance. Regardless of how the client pays for home health services, all services will be determined by the client’s care plan and monitored by the client’s case manager.
Why Is Parent Care Better Than Other Home Health Service Providers?
Compared to home health service providers such as Alliance Homecare, NY Unicare Home Care, and Hellolevo.com, Parent Care is a licensed agency that prioritizes compassion for the client. At Parent Care, home health helper bees are cherished for their contributions to the care of clients. As an equal opportunity employer, Parent Care can help individuals build a career as a home health aide.
Golden-age New Yorkers who want to live at home may need to hire a personal care aide to help with daily tasks. To learn more about home health aide jobs in New York, NY, contact Parent Care at 718-486-7100 today.
