The work week is usually 40 hours but there is flexibility as some home health aides work part-time. Night and weekend work is sometimes required. Home health aides usually work for state or county welfare agencies, private home health agencies, or on their own. Approximately 2,174 job openings are expected each year in Florida until 2005. A high school diploma is not required but desirable for those wishing to enter this field.
Most agencies provide training to home health aides if they have no previous experience.
Training courses are usually two to three weeks long and focus on maintenance of a clean, safe environment, basic nutrition, taking and recording vital signs, infection control, recognition of emergencies, communication skills, personal hygiene, range of motion, legal and ethical responsibilities, care of geriatric clients, bio-psychosocial support, and supervised home management. No license is required.