Personal Home Care Aides
Description OES Code: 68035
Perform a variety of tasks at places of residence. Duties include keeping house and advising families having problems with such things as nutrition, cleanliness, and household utilities. Exclude Nursing Aides and Home Health Aides.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage minimum
25th Percentile minimum
50th Percentile $7.84
75th Percentile $9.01

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $7.18
25th Percentile $7.89
50th Percentile $9.47
75th Percentile $10.85

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Depending on the hiring agency, the benefits for full time workers usually include paid vacation, sick leave, and medical and dental insurance. Some employers also pay for vision, life insurance, and retirement plans.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 13,600
Projected Employment 2008 19,800
Percent Change 1998-2008 45.6%
Separations 1998-2008 4,400

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 140
Projected Employment 2006 170
Percent Change 1999-2006 21.4%
Separations 1999-2006 30

Employment Trends by California County

Advancement
There aren't many opportunities for promotion in this job. With more training, aides can become Medical Assistants, Licensed Vocational Nurses or Registered Nurses.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Job seekers should apply at Visiting Nurses Associations in their area or private agencies or organizations that hire Home Health Aides. The yellow pages of the local telephone company can be a good source of employment leads for prospective workers. Additional help can be found at the local California Employment Development Department offices.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Personal Home Care Aides must pass competency test in 12 areas in addition to completing 75 hours of classroom and practical training under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

The number of people working in this low cost health service is expected to rise within the next decade due to the increase of medical costs and the aging of the population. Male attendants are especially in demand to help elderly men and male AIDS patients. Skills

Skills & Other Requirements
Personal Home Care Aides must Interact with many kinds of patients, their families, and other health professionals. They must understand human behavior, pay close attention to detail, and work as a team member.

Personal And Home Care Aides provide services such as monitoring temperature and blood pressure and making sure medicine is taken on time. Sometimes the Personal and Home Care Aides provide extra services such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping for patients who are unable to accomplish those things on their own. Work routines and work environments vary depending on the particular needs of the patient.

Some Aides work with the same patient each day, while others tend to the needs of several clients per day. There are patients who need a lot of physical assistance, while others need only minimal assistance. Some may be angry and abusive, while others are cooperative.

References
California Occupational Guide: #2002B

Related Occupation: Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)