Home health jobs are in high demand, and there are several reasons why. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the home health job market is expected to grow by 25% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.
There are a few reasons for this high demand. The population is aging, and more people are opting to receive home health services rather than go to a nursing home or hospital. In addition, advances in medical technology have made it possible for more treatments to be provided at home.
If you're thinking of pursuing a career in home health, or if you're looking into home health job opportunities, here's a checklist of what you need to land the job.
A Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
While this isn't always necessary, some home health agencies will require that you have a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Home health nurses often provide more complex care than traditional home health aides. This puts them at a far greater advantage when it comes to providing care.
If you don't have a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, don't worry. There are still plenty of home health agencies that will hire you without one. Just be sure to highlight your other qualifications, such as your experience working with home health patients or your training in a particular area of home health care.
In addition, you may want to consider pursuing a home health nursing certification. This will show potential employers that you're serious about your career in home health and that you have the skills to provide high-quality care. There are several home health nursing certifications available, so be sure to research the one that will propel you to the top of the job market.
Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Since home health nurses provide care in the home, it's important that they have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They'll be working closely with patients and their families. So, they'll need to be able to build relationships of trust and rapport to provide the best possible care.
If you enjoy working with others and can build strong relationships, then you'll excel in a home health role. Be sure to highlight your communication and interpersonal skills on your resume and during your job interviews. You can even give specific examples of times when you've used these skills to provide excellent care.
In addition, try to get some experience working with home health patients before you apply for jobs. This will give you a chance to show potential employers that you have the necessary skills to provide care in the home. You can get this experience through volunteering or working as a home health aide. This will allow you to learn more about providing home health care and to build your skills in this area.