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Pathway: Social Services
Job: Personal & Home Care Aides
Job Description
Personal and home care aides provide a service occupation combining the duties of caregivers and social service workers. They help elderly, disabled, and ill persons live in their homes or in residential care facilities instead of in a health facility. Personal and home care aides provide housekeeping, routine personal care services, instruction, and psychological support, and keep records.
Necessary Education
No formal education may be required
Helpful High School Courses
English, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology
Working Conditions:
- Many work part-time and weekend hours
- Daily routine and surroundings vary from case to case
- Generally work on their own, with periodic visits by their supervisor
- May spend a substantial amount of time traveling to clients’ homes
- Susceptible to falls and injuries when assisting patients
Salary Range
- 2003, Delaware average annual salary
$18,320
- 2003, Delaware average hourly wage,
$8.81
Career Ladder Information
- Most employers give slight pay increases with experience and added responsibility
- Aides usually are paid only for the time worked in the home and are not paid for travel time between jobs
- Usually benefits are not provided by employers
- Advancement is limited
- A physical examination including state-mandated tests, may be required
- On-the-job training is generally provided by the employer
- The National Association for Home Care offers voluntary national certification demonstrating that individuals met industry standards
Personal Qualities and Interests
You:
- Like to help people
- Do not mind hard work
- Are responsible, compassionate, emotionally stable
- Are cheerful, tactful, honest, and discreet
- Are in good health
- Are able to work independently and as part of a team
Did you know?
- Job opportunities are expected to be strong due to the increased number of elderly people, efforts to contain medical costs, and the improvement of medical technologies for in-home treatment
- Most aides are employed by social service agencies, home health agencies, or residential care facilities. Self-employed aides have no agency affiliation or supervision, and accepts clients, sets fees, and arranges work schedules on their own
Additional Information
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