How to find and hire the right home health aide

Staffing a home health agency can be challenging. Finding qualified home health aides (HHA) and professional caregivers is just the start. The people you hire may also need to fit into your agency’s culture and work well with patients.

Here’s a guide to help you hire the right home health aides for your growing agency.

Skilled or non-skilled home health aides?

It’s important to know the difference between skilled and non-skilled homecare. Your agency may require both kinds of professionals, depending on the services you offer.

Skilled home health aides provide specific medical care such as supervising medications, replacing dressings and so forth. Non-skilled (a.k.a. custodial) care looks after everyday non-medical-specific issues such as bathing, preparing meals, cleaning, and offering companionship.

Custodial care

Custodial care is not specifically medical but is frequently brought in on the recommendation of a physician. It involves home aides who address matters that are related to the wellbeing of the individual.

This could be personal care like dressing, bathing, and making sure medication is taken on time; household care such as cleaning, preparing meals and yard work; or emotional support including conversation or accompanying them on trips.

Skilled care

Skilled care is provided by medical professionals with the requisite training. An individual may need skilled care if they require continuous medical treatment, intravenous injections, catheter changing, physical therapy, wound dressing, and help taking medication, amongst many others. Hiring a caregiver of this type is more expensive than custodial care.

Finding the right talent for your agency

Here are five tips to help you find and hire the right home health aides to staff your business:

1. Offer in-house training – Many home health agencies offer free HHA certification in exchange for employment. This can be a great opportunity to attract new HHAs and ensure they are trained to follow your agency’s standards from day one.

2. Partner with HHA programs – Consider working with or sponsoring local HHA training programs to get first pick of newly certified home health professionals.

3. Hire for more than skill – Qualification is essential, but it’s not the only thing a good HHA has. You may also want to hire qualified individuals with certain temperaments or personalities who will work well with the rest of your staff and provide positive care experiences to patients.

4. Create a competitive job package – Excellent HHAs and caregivers may cost more. Offering competitive pay, retirement savings, and other perks could mean that you’ll soon have your pick of solid candidates in your area.

5. Be clear about the job description – Write detailed job ads that are clear about the job duties and education level expected. This can help avoid attracting unqualified candidates.

Protecting your home health agency

Depending on the state(s) where you operate, insurance for home health agencies may be an essential part of doing business.

BizInsure helps home health agencies and home care providers buy coverage online in minutes. Compare free quotes from A+ rated insurers and get covered instantly—no paperwork required.