North country residents who are interested in a career that will allow them to help others might want to consider a new training program being offered by Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

In response to the increasing number of people needing health care services in their homes, including the aging baby boomer population, BOCES has re-established its home health aide certification program.

Home health aides help those who are elderly, ill or disabled with personal care and daily living skills. In most cases, they provide care for clients who need more support than can be given by family and friends.

"We're responding to a critical need," said Diane Riddell, BOCES coordinator for health occupations. "We have not offered this course for several years."

The class begins Feb. 26 and meets twice weekly through May 8. Tuition is $500.

The investment will certainly pay off, as there is no shortage of jobs for home health aides, who can be employed by private or public agencies, or be self-employed, said Mrs. Riddell.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the need for home health aides is expected to rise 15 percent by 2016.

"It's a lifetime career," Mrs. Riddell said. "It will allow you to advance even more in the future to earn an LPN or R.N. degree."

The home health aide certification is valid throughout New York state and will transfer to many other states as well, Mrs. Riddell said. It's also a good career option for military spouses who may be in the area for a few years.

Starting pay for home health aides ranges from $8 to $12 an hour, depending on the employer. Efforts are usually made to assign aides to care for patients who live in the same or nearby towns.

Home health aides in New York state must be certified before providing care. The needs of their clients can be either short- or long-term.

"It's been increasingly difficult" to recruit new home health aides, said Ginger B. Hall, Jefferson County Public Health director of patient services.

Public Health employs 11 full-time and seven part-time certified home health aides to provide care for its patients. But it also contracts out to several agencies throughout the county for additional aides.

In fact, the majority of the approximately 230 clients under the home care department of Jefferson County Public Health receive services from contracted aides.

It's not the easiest job in the world, Mrs. Hall said. It does involve a lot of travel, and the aides are usually the first ones to hear any patient complaints because they spend the most time with them.

"They are the eyes and ears" for all the others involved in the medical care of the client, she said.

The job, however, has its rewards.

"The aides get to see their patients progress and become more independent," Mrs. Hall said. "It's a good feeling to know that you had a role in that progress."

Those who have worked in the field for years are passionate about their work, she added.

"Many are very happy and satisfied with their jobs," Mrs. Hall said.

—

The details...

WHAT: Jefferson-Lewis BOCES home health aide certification class.

WHEN/WHERE: 4-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 26 through May 8 at BOCES on outer Arsenal Street, Watertown. Additional clinical rotations will also be required.

COST: Tuition is $500, plus the cost of a book and uniform.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION: Call BOCES at 779-7220 as soon as possible.