Home Health Aide Job Description: Duties, Skills & Pay (2026)
Oct 29, 2026
Updated October 2026. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.
A home health aide (HHA) provides personal care, basic health monitoring and daily living support to older, ill or disabled clients, mostly in their homes and typically under the supervision of a registered nurse. In Florida, home health aides are not licensed or certified by the state; employers verify training and competency. Median pay for home health and personal care aides in Florida is $16.25 per hour ($33,800 per year), according to BLS (May 2025).
Are you interested in a career as a home health aide? Do you want to know more about what this job entails? Look no further, as we have compiled a comprehensive job description for home health aides.
Many people prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. Home health aides play a crucial role in providing personal care, assistance with daily activities, and emotional support to patients who are unable to fully care for themselves.
If you are considering a career as a home health aide, it is important to understand the responsibilities and expectations that come with this role. From assisting with personal hygiene to monitoring vital signs, home health aides provide invaluable support to individuals in need.
In this article, we will delve into the various tasks and requirements of a home health aide, giving you a clear understanding of what to expect in this rewarding profession. Additionally, we'll guide you on how to become a home health aide, outlining the necessary steps and qualifications.
Table of Contents
- Home health aide job description
- Home health aide job duties
- Home health aide education requirements
Home health aide job description
A home health aide (HHA) is a trained caregiver who assists individuals in their own homes, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or recovering from an illness. HHAs help clients with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation, allowing them to maintain their independence and comfort in familiar surroundings. In addition to supporting clients with physical needs, they often provide companionship and emotional support. Home health aides may also be responsible for light housekeeping, errands, and reminding clients to take their medication, playing a vital role in enhancing their quality of life and well-being while they remain at home.
Home health aide job duties
Personal Care Assistance:
Assist clients with bathing, showering, grooming, and dressing. Help clients with mobility, transfers, and positioning. Provide support for toileting, including using the restroom and managing incontinence.
Medication Assistance:
Help clients with their medications as Florida rules allow. Aides who assist with self-administered medication need at least 2 hours of training (s. 400.488, Florida Statutes), and giving certain medications is allowed only under a registered nurse’s delegation. Keep accurate records and report side effects to the supervising nurse.
Basic Medical Monitoring:
Measure and record vital signs such as pulse, temperature, and blood pressure. Monitor and report any changes in the client's health status to relevant healthcare providers.
Meal Preparation and Nutrition Support:
Plan and prepare nutritious meals based on dietary needs and preferences. Assist with feeding if necessary, ensuring proper nutrition and hydration.
Light Housekeeping and Home Maintenance:
Maintain a clean and organized living environment for the client. Perform light housekeeping tasks, including cleaning, tidying up, and laundry.
Companionship and Emotional Support:
Engage in meaningful conversations and activities to promote social interaction. Provide emotional reassurance, companionship, and a caring presence.
How much do home health aides make?
In Florida, home health and personal care aides earned a median of $16.25 per hour ($33,800 per year) in May 2025 (BLS). See the breakdown by city in our home health aide salary guide, and compare the two roles in home health aide vs CNA.
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Our programs are short and fast-paced and accredited by the Commission for Independent Education, the Florida Board of Nursing, and the National Health Career Association.
Home health aide education requirements
- High School Diploma or Equivalent:
- A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement to become a home health aide.
- Training and competency evaluation:
- In Florida, you complete training and a competency evaluation. Agencies that bill Medicare or Medicaid require at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training (42 CFR 484.80); state-licensed-only agencies require at least 40 hours (Rule 59A-8.0095, F.A.C.).
- These programs provide essential skills and knowledge related to caregiving, safety, and healthcare practices.
- License or certification:
- Florida does not license or certify home health aides; your employer verifies your training and competency (AHCA). Other states have their own rules.
- For state-licensed-only agencies, a competency test can be accepted instead of training hours.
- Basic Medical Knowledge:
- Home health aides should have a basic understanding of medical terminology, vital signs, and health-related concepts.
- First Aid and CPR Certification:
- Many employers may require home health aides to be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Steps to become a home health aide
- Complete training: Choose a home health aide program that meets your employer’s requirements (40 or 75 hours in Florida, depending on the agency). Programs cover basic medical care, personal care and nutrition.
- Pass the competency evaluation: After training, your employer verifies that you passed a competency evaluation. Florida does not issue a state certificate to home health aides.
- Start looking for job opportunities: Once your training and competency are verified, you can begin searching for jobs with home health agencies and other care providers.
FAQs about home health aide jobs
What does a home health aide do?
A home health aide helps clients with bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, meals and light housekeeping, monitors vital signs and reports changes to the supervising nurse, and provides companionship.
Do home health aides need a license in Florida?
No. According to AHCA, Florida does not license or certify home health aides. Your employer verifies that you completed the required training and competency evaluation. Read how to become a home health aide in Florida.
Ready to get started? Learn more about FHCA Orlando’s Home Health Aide Program.
