Home Health Aide Job Description Template

Job Overview

The Home Health Aide (HHA) provides personal care assistance, supportive services, and basic health monitoring to patients in their homes under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed therapist, reporting to the Home Health RN Case Manager or Agency Clinical Director. HHAs are often the healthcare professional who spends the most time with a patient each week. That proximity makes them essential observers: they see medication bottles running low, they notice when a patient is confused on a Tuesday who was sharp on Friday, and they report the small changes that prevent big hospitalizations. Success looks like patients maintaining functional independence as long as possible, zero observed changes going unreported, and caregiver relationships built on dignity and trust rather than dependence or condescension.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and ambulation according to the individualized plan of care.

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks following dietary restrictions, preferences, and dysphagia guidelines as specified in the care plan.

• Perform light housekeeping tasks directly related to patient health and safety, including laundry, dish washing, and maintaining a clean and hazard-free patient environment.

• Monitor and report changes in patient condition, behavior, mood, or functional ability to the supervising RN within the timeframes required by agency protocol.

• Measure and record vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen saturation when authorized in the care plan and trained to do so.

• Assist with medication reminders for self-administered medications as directed in the plan of care, consistent with state scope of practice regulations.

• Perform range-of-motion exercises and assist with positioning per occupational and physical therapy instructions documented in the care plan.

• Provide companionship and social engagement to reduce isolation, supporting patient psychological wellbeing as part of holistic care.

• Transport patients to medical appointments, pharmacy, or grocery store when included in the care plan and permitted by agency policy.

• Complete visit documentation accurately in the home health agency's EVV (Electronic Visit Verification) system and aide visit notes within required timeframes.

• Communicate professionally with family members and caregivers regarding the patient's care activities, maintaining appropriate privacy boundaries.

• Follow all infection control precautions, including handwashing protocols and standard precautions for patient contact.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

• Completion of a state-approved Home Health Aide training program (minimum 75 hours per CMS, with many states requiring more).

• Successful passage of home health aide competency evaluation per state and CMS requirements.

• Current CPR/BLS certification or willingness to complete upon hire.

• Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle (required if transportation of patients is included in the role).

• Negative background check and TB test clearance per state and agency requirements.

• Physical ability to lift, transfer, and assist patients with mobility as required by the position, with or without assistive devices.

• Basic reading and writing skills for care plan comprehension and EVV documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-2 years of prior home health aide, CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), or direct care worker experience.

• CHHA (Certified Home Health Aide) designation in states where this applies.

• Experience working with patients who have dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other cognitive conditions.

• Bilingual capability in the primary language of the patient population served.

• Specialized training in fall prevention, dementia care, or chronic disease management programs.

Essential Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills

• ADL assistance techniques: bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, ambulation

• Vital sign measurement (BP, pulse, temperature, SpO2) when authorized

• Safe patient transfer and mobility assist techniques using proper body mechanics

• Infection control: handwashing, PPE use, standard precautions

• Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system documentation

• Range-of-motion exercise assist per therapy instructions

• Meal preparation following dietary restriction and dysphagia guidelines

Soft Skills

• Compassionate personal care delivery that preserves patient dignity

• Observational alertness to changes in patient condition or behavior

• Reliable, consistent follow-through on scheduled visits and care plan tasks

• Professional communication with supervising nurses and patient families

• Patience and de-escalation with cognitively impaired or resistant patients

Salary Range and Benefits

Salary Overview

Home health aides earn a national median wage of $33,530 annually or $16.12 per hour (BLS, May 2023). Total earnings vary based on hours worked, geographic market, and agency type. HHAs in high-cost metropolitan areas earn significantly above the national median. Pay has risen meaningfully in recent years driven by state minimum wage increases and competitive pressure from retail and service sector employers competing for the same workforce. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023.

Top-Paying Areas

• San Francisco Bay Area, CA ($22-28/hr)

• Seattle, WA ($20-26/hr)

• New York Metro, NY ($20-25/hr)

• Boston, MA ($19-24/hr)

• Washington, DC metro ($18-24/hr)

Benefits Package

Benefits for HHAs vary significantly by agency size and employer type. Full-time HHAs at larger home health organizations typically receive health insurance options, 401(k) or retirement savings access, paid time off, mileage reimbursement, and paid training including CPR renewal. Many agencies now offer flexible scheduling as a core benefit to attract candidates. Paid orientation and on-the-job training are standard.

Warning Signs When Evaluating Home Health Aide Candidates

• Cannot explain what they would do if a patient fell during their visit: Fall response is a high-stakes responsibility in home health settings. A candidate without a clear answer to this scenario is unprepared for a foreseeable emergency in a setting without immediate backup.

• Has a pattern of short-tenure with prior care employers without a clear explanation: HHA work relies on continuity. Frequent turnover history raises questions about reliability, which directly affects patient experience and care consistency.

• Shows discomfort with personal care tasks such as bathing or toileting: Personal care is the core function of this role. Candidates who express significant hesitation about these tasks will struggle with the daily reality of the job.

• Cannot describe how they would report a change in patient condition: HHAs are the eyes and ears of the home health team. Candidates who have no framework for escalating changes in patient status create an observation gap that can delay critical intervention.

• Unclear transportation arrangements or unreliable vehicle history: HHA roles frequently require travel between patient homes. Unreliable transportation directly threatens scheduling integrity and patient care access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does a home health aide do?
A home health aide assists patients with personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting), light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, and basic health monitoring in the patient's home. They work under the supervision of a registered nurse and report observed changes in patient condition to the clinical team.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be a home health aide?
You need a high school diploma or GED, completion of a state-approved HHA training program (minimum 75 hours per CMS), successful passage of a competency evaluation, and current CPR certification. Most agencies require a clean background check and TB clearance. A valid driver's license and reliable vehicle are required at many agencies.

Q: How much does a home health aide make?
Home health aides earn a national median of $33,530 annually ($16.12/hour), according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2023). HHAs in high-cost metro areas such as San Francisco, Seattle, and New York earn $20-28/hour. Pay has increased meaningfully in recent years due to state minimum wage increases and workforce competition.

Q: What skills are required for a home health aide?
HHAs need ADL assistance techniques, safe patient transfer skills, infection control practices, vital sign measurement when authorized, EVV documentation, and meal preparation following dietary guidelines. Equally essential are compassionate personal care delivery that preserves patient dignity, observational alertness to condition changes, and reliable professional communication with supervising nurses.

Q: What is the career path for a home health aide?
HHAs commonly advance to Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and from there to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) through additional education and licensure programs. Many agencies and healthcare systems offer tuition assistance and career ladder programs specifically designed to support HHAs pursuing nursing credentials.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing home health aides today?
Wage competition from retail and service sector employers drawing from the same candidate pool makes HHA recruitment extremely difficult. High turnover rates, often exceeding 60% annually, undermine care continuity for patients. Physical demands and emotional weight of the role without proportional compensation and support represent the most persistent workforce retention challenge in the sector.