home health CNA

Purple_roses · Jul 13, 2015

I just had my interview at a home health care. What should I expect? I was told I would assist with feeding, bathing, grooming, etc. But also laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. I wouldn't mind doing any of that at all, but if you work as a home health aid, do you feel like you learned valuable skills and feel prepared for nursing school?

I have not learned valuable medical skills while working home care. I've sharpened my interpersonal communication skills, but nothing medical.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2015

I have not learned valuable medical skills while working home care. I've sharpened my interpersonal communication skills, but nothing medical.

Agreed. I've become pretty good at transferring though.

mvm2 · Jul 14, 2015

For the most part I would say it does not get too advanced when it comes to medical knowledge except when you might have a client who is a quad, or someone with a lot of medical needs. But you do get good experience with interpersonal skills as well as taking notice at changes in your client that could give you clues if something is wrong with them.

One thing that you can enjoy that you will never get in a LTC or a hospital is getting to spend time with your client one on one and giving them care and attention that you will only dream and wish you could give people in LTCs and hospitals

cdsavannah59, CNA · Jul 15, 2015

I quit home health care for many reasons. I was hired originally as a personal care aide because I passed the cna equivalent care knowledge test the job gives if you are not a CNA. I was told I would of made more money as a CNA upon hire if I was certified, told them I was in process of getting CNA. Once I obtained my CNA they denied me a raise, telling me the current case I worked wasn't hard enough to qualify for more pay. That patient was mostly bedridden, needed a Hoyer lift, help standing and bed baths. It was a hard job and my employer had a hard time finding any other aide to want to work it because why should they if they work easy cases with just sitting with patient or help cleaning house. That's when I determined that if they gave me a raise it took more out of the agencies pocket. Second reason I didn't want to work home care is because on new assignments you never knew what type of home atmosphere you were being sent to, I worked with the rich and the poor, and sometimes I couldn't wait to get out of there after my shift ended, and not take the case again. Once I was sent to a neighborhood to care for someone, the exact street the Swat Team had been on two weeks prior with some angry man who they had to talk out of house to surrender. The whole time I was at that house I was assigned I kept wondering if it or the neighbors were where the swat team had been and I just wanted that shift to end and get out. These homes you go into have other family members there also and you just don't know who they are, some family members are very sweet people others are a bit strange. My suggestion is if you work Homecare, know the neighborhood your getting assigned.

mvm2 · Jul 15, 2015

I'm sorry Savannah that you had such a bad experience in home health. Proves every agency definetly can be different to work for.

My agency did give me a $0.50 raise more once I was a CNA. The cases can be different though and some will pay less then your base pay. Mostly these cases are because of medicare and not because of agency. I know for a fact that with a case as you described with bed bound and hoyer that we would get more if it was up to the agency and not because of medicare.

We also get the option of taking a case or refusing it. They never force anyone to take a case, and are pretty adamant about our safety. Our agency once pulled us off a case because family was not compliant with having family members available for transfer because she was a two person assist. Also I had to report one family member who was being abusive. Their first concern was if I felt I was in any danger myself and if I did call police immediately. Another reason I think why they wanted us off the case as soon as possible.

So basically just wanted OP to understand that yes there are shaddy unpleasant home care agencies out there which unfortunetly Savannah was working for and can totally understand her wanting. To get out of there. But keep in mind there are good well managed agencies as well that you can enjoy working for. Hoping you found one of the good ones.

Missingyou, CNA · Jul 16, 2015

You may not get good medical experience that you can use and find helpful in nursing school but you will possibly be able to get some study time in!

Some shifts (particularly ones that are 4+ hours) may have a client who naps while you are there and once your chores are done, chances are you will be able to get some study time in.

jarae · Jul 18, 2015

You may not get good medical experience that you can use and find helpful in nursing school but you will possibly be able to get some study time in!
Some shifts (particularly ones that are 4+ hours) may have a client who naps while you are there and once your chores are done, chances are you will be able to get some study time in.

True. I have worked a total of three days so far and there's been quite a bit of down time. I've almost finished crocheting a slouch beanie. Even though it's a little slow sometimes and I have not learned anything medical so far, I think I'd still prefer it to running around and not giving enough attention to patients in LTC. I'm learning to be more patient, that is for sure.

Benderover2, CNA · Jul 19, 2015

I work home health and change diapers and do a lot of lifting. Depending on my client. It does get boring lol

mdcockman · Jul 21, 2015

Hi :) I have been a home health cna for 3.5 years. I worked at a skilled nursing facility for one year before I came on with this agency.

I was a little unsettled by the amount of down time between clients, and after a few years, I am pretty unfulfilled by it.

I start nursing school in a few weeks, and I'm hoping to use the downtime for studying. I feel resentful towards my job/employer because of the sweeping, mopping, and toilet cleaning my job requires in addition to the bathing and feeding.

However, I have coworkers who appreciate the "home management" aspect because the hands on contact makes them uncomfortable. I think it depends on which kind of person you more identify with.

BBboy · Jul 30, 2015

If you'd like a more well rounded experience work at a facility. There are normally three types: retirement, assisted living & potentially memory care, skilled nursing. If you are ready for an actual work load check out skilled nursing, definitely not for everyone as you will essentially be stacked with work from the beginning till the end but this experience will help to build your work ethic and will allow you to land a job at a hospital (if that is your goal) once you have worked there for at least 6 months.

Lynn Marie · Aug 10, 2015

It all depends on the type of clients you get. I have several yrs experience as both a medical assistant in a doctor's office, and as a home health aide... I feel both will help me a lot in nursing. As an MA, I got great practice with taking vitals, giving meds, blood draws, etc... But it was my HHA jobs where I learned how to help move patients, change a colostomy bag, catheter care, wound care, diabetes care, special diets, etc. And I learned A LOT about working with dementia patients. I love home care... I initially went into it because it was the easiest way to get back into healthcare after years off... and also for the flexibility while I go to school (you can't beat it for that!). I was very surprised at how much I learned. The pay is terrible, but that's how it goes! :-) Also, I had to be certified to be placed with clients who have more medical needs.