You Can Have a Rewarding Career in Home Health | Family

By MichaelNowling
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The population of the United States is rapidly aging. It's no secret. The "greatest generation" will quickly be a fond memory and the "baby boomers" will begin to populate the retirement communities and care centers. This aging of America is bringing a growing strain to the resources of our medical care facilities. Increased demand is forcing our hospitals and medical centers to be even less personal in their approach to dealing with patients. This can be discouraging for young people seeking careers in health care. They want rewarding personal interactions with patients. That's why many of them are seeking careers in home health.

The number of talented health care professionals choosing to work in a home health agency is increasing as fast as the aging population and the demand for health care services. A home health agency offers significant benefits to anyone seeking a rewarding career in health care.

"There are some definite advantages to working in a home health agency," noted Maria Bushebi, Manager of Private Duty for Family Home Care and Hospice, headquartered in Spokane, WA. "When you can see a patient in a home environment, you can take the time to get to know them and take more detailed note of their progress. You can even make effective recommendations that may never occur to someone who sees the patient in a clinic or hospital setting. And, it's easier to keep up with the patient's progress. Seeing a patient improve is such a major part of our job satisfaction."

The largest privately owned home health agency in the Inland Northwest, Family Home Care and Hospice (FHCH) has more than 250 employees. The growing demand for home care services has company president, Michael Nowling sensitive to the difficulties of running a health care business.

"Staffing any health care delivery organization is a constant effort these days," noted Nowling. "But we do find that we are successfully attracting high caliber health care professionals because of the rewards of working in a system which, by virtue of its delivery model, emphasizes personal care and interaction."

Not only do home health workers experience greater job satisfaction, but they also have greater flexibility in their work schedules than do clinic or hospital based professionals. As a result, a home health agency is an ideal situation for workers with families. The scheduling options allow them to be available for family or other obligations.

If other home health agencies are anything like Family Home Care, then the whole industry is probably seeing an influx of family oriented employees," said Bushebi. "We are fortunate to have regular work hours plus the flexibility to arrange our schedules so we can be available for things like parent-teacher conferences and dental appointments, etc."

According to Bushebi, home health agencies are attracting a significant number of more mature workers. Having raised their families and eager to get back into the workforce, these are the type of employees who will get a sense of fulfillment from a job in home health.

"These workers gravitate to the home health system," continued Bushebi. "The home environment is familiar to them and they can gain a significant sense of accomplishment and gratitude as they work with patients and see them improve."

Health care professionals are leaving hospital and clinic environments to work in home health. Recent advancements in technology have enabled much of the cutting-edge techniques and therapies to be available for use in home heath situations.

"Nurses no longer have to be concerned that they're sacrificing the technical expertise they've achieved in working with the latest medical equipment or practicing the newest procedures," Bushebi added. "There is so much of this expertise and technology which can now move seamlessly into a home setting. So, not only do they have an opportunity for rewarding patient relationships, but they also have the satisfaction of staying on top of developments in their profession."

Licenses and certifications are necessary for workers in home health. Training programs which result in licensing for Nursing Assistants are offered by most of the community colleges across the nation and are not expensive. In addition, home care agencies like Family Home Care will often pay for workers to receive this training.

For people both young and old who are interested in a health care career which offers a unique combination of old fashioned patient care and relationship building along with the latest in medical advances, the best choice these days seems to be the home health agency. And, as Bushebi concludes, if her experience at Family Home Care and Hospice is any indication, home health workers will find all that and more in the home health industry.

About the Author

Family Home Care and Hospice is the largest privately owned home care agency in the Inland Northwest region. Medicare has judged FHC&H as one of the top 1% of home care agencies in WA. When you think of home health Spokane, think of Family Home Care.

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