Every 8 seconds a new beneficiary is added to Medicare. The aging of the baby boomer generation is creating a boon for the healthcare industry: one in 3 of total new jobs over the next decade in the US will be in healthcare. Many of these aging baby boomers will seek to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, making home health care one of
the most rapidly growing areas of healthcare.
Although most home health care aide positions have no high school or college degree requirement; some home health aides have training as a licensed vocational nurse, certified nursing assistant (CNA), or a national certification offered by the National Association of Home Care and Hospice.
Home health agencies that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding must employ aides with at least 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical work. Additionally, job candidates must pass a competency evaluation or complete a state certification program.
Sample of Possible Interview Questions for Home Health Care Aides:
What would your last two employers say about you if I called them?
Have you received professional training in tasks such as bathing, moving patients in their beds, and helping with prescription medications?
How do you ensure that you always respect the dignity of the person for whom you are caring?
If you suspected your patient was being abused in their home what would you do?
Do you have any experience or training in working with patients with dementia?
Why do you want to work for this agency?
Have you ever documented the wrong information? What steps did you take to correct the error?
Describe a time when you had to provide emotional support to a patient.
How do you tell a patient something they do not want to hear?
Do you have experience with monitoring a patient’s vital signs (temperature, respiration, etc.)?
Have you ever shown up late for a job?
Do you have a current CPR certificate and first aid training?
Why did you leave your last agency or job?
Are you familiar with basic nutrition and personal hygiene standards?
Have you ever lost your patience with someone you were caring for? If so, did they know it?
Do you have experience with transporting and accompanying patients to a doctor’s office or other appointments?
Describe a high-stress situation you have dealt with.
Have you ever missed a dose of a patient’s medication?
Has a family ever complained about your work?
Have you ever gone above and beyond the call of duty for a patient?