How To Become A Home Care Attendant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a home care attendant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Penny Ridenour

A home care attendant is a healthcare professional who cares for individuals who have disabilities such as chronic illnesses, age-related issues, or cognitive impairments and wish to stay in their own homes. Home care attendants provide such services by administering medications, checking vital signs such as heart rate, pulse, and respiration, or changing bandages.

These professionals work under a medical professional such as a registered nurse and also help clients get dressed and undressed, maintain proper clothing and also assist with personal services such as grooming and bathing.

Home care attendants work independently and spend most of their work hours traveling to different client homes. They accompany clients to their doctor visits, assist clients who are unable to handle day-to-day homemaking duties in their homes, and ensure that each client is provided with necessary health and home care. Home care attendants follow specified medical and care plans for each client and report to supervisors on completed tasks after each home visit.

Many home care attendants receive on-the-job training from licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or other healthcare workers. Although an advanced degree is not necessary to pursue a career as a home care attendant, some states require these professionals to have formal training from a vocational school or a community college. Most home care attendants can expect to make up to $25,000 annually, and the field in the US is expected to grow 34% by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a Home Care Attendant?

Penny Ridenour

Dean of School of Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

In order to maximize your earnings, flexibility is key to fit the niche the employer needs. Intentionally accept assignments that will allow growth in a specialization. If possible, ask to shadow other professionals proficient in the specialization you desire.

ScoreHome Care AttendantUS Average

Salary

2.0

Avg. Salary $26,059

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

8.0

Growth Rate 36%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.13%

Asian 8.05%

Black or African American 10.52%

Hispanic or Latino 18.24%

Unknown 4.32%

White 57.74%

Gender

female 86.88%

male 13.12%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress Level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

9.6

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become a home care attendant

Explore home care attendant education requirements

Most common home care attendant degrees

Bachelor's

32.7 %

Associate

26.5 %

High School Diploma

19.2 %

Start to develop specific home care attendant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	18.59%
Home Health	16.41%
Companionship	14.22%
CPR	5.76%
Meal Prep	5.08%

Gain additional home care attendant certifications

Home care attendant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific home care attendant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for home care attendants include Medical Assistant and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

More About Certifications

Research home care attendant duties and responsibilities

Manage clients bills, paid them, buy groceries, take complete care of their responsibilities.
Self-Direct and empower, providing hygiene care, hospice and respite care to Alzheimer's patients and patients requiring long-term assistance.
Provide companionship and conversation, stabilization, and assistance with walking, and providing medication and appointment reminders for assign patients.
Maintain all confidential personnel files and CPR compliance records.

Prepare your home care attendant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your home care attendant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a home care attendant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Home Care Attendant Resume templates

Build a professional Home Care Attendant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Home Care Attendant resume.