Health Care Aide / Attendant

So, what exactly is it that you’ll be doing as a Health Care Aide? Well, working under the supervision of a nurse or other health care professional, you’ll be providing services to seniors and individuals with medical conditions or developmental disabilities, in their homes, in hospitals, and in continuing care facilities.

Specific duties might vary, but basically you’ll assist with bathing, dressing, transferring and assistance with feeding. You may also help clients with therapeutic procedures like exercise, simple wound care, administration of respiratory equipment, as well as medication assistance and reminders. Another responsibility is monitoring behavior changes and ensuring client safety.

Plus there’s considerable physical activity involved in helping people to move, bath, dress and perform other daily activities. Good general health, knowledge of body mechanics and proper lifting techniques are required to avoid injury. Your duties as a Health Care Aide may require you to lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms, or be on your feet for long periods of time.

Health Care Aides are employed by clients, private agencies, continuing care facilities, government social service departments and agencies, not-for-profit charitable agencies, home care and family service associations, hospitals.

Health Care Aides and home care attendants perform some or all of the following duties:

Links to Sites

Training & Education Routes

High Schools

Interested in the Health Care Aide course? Speak to your school councilor to see if it is offered at your high school.