Home Support, Housekeepers, and Related Workers
(NOC 4412)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesHome support workers provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities, and convalescent clients. Care is provided within the client's residence, in which the home support worker may also live. They work for home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed. Housekeepers perform housekeeping and other home management duties in private households and other non-institutional, residential settings.
Job Outlook
Good
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Home Support Workers, Housekeepers, and Related Workers may either be working full-time or part-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
A growing emphasis on home delivery of health services, in conjunction with an aging population favours opportunities in this occupational group. There is typically a large number of openings, especially in rural areas, though many are part-time in nature. The health-care system is shifting people with chronic illnesses and disabling conditions away from hospitals and institutions towards more community-based home-care settings. This occupation does not include Continuing Care Assistants who work in hospitals and nursing homes, only those who provide care in private homes. Certificates may not be required for occupations in this group which do not provide medical services, such as housekeepers.
Hourly Pay
$13.35
Minimum$17.95
Median$20.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,866
Minimum$21,303
Median$42,294
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$16.30
Minimum$30.00
Median$51.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Home support workers provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities, and convalescent clients. Care is provided within the client's residence, in which the home support worker may also live. They work for home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed. Housekeepers perform housekeeping and other home management duties in private households and other non-institutional, residential settings.
Job duties
Home support workers:
- Provide care and companionship for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, recovery, or family disruption.
- Administer bedside and personal care to clients like aid in bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing and undressing.
- Plan and prepare meals and special diets, and feed or help feed clients.
- May do routine health-related duties like changing non-sterile dressings, helping administering medications and collecting specimens under the general direction of home care agency supervisor or nurse.
- May perform routine housekeeping duties like laundry, washing dishes and making beds.
Housekeepers:
- Perform housekeeping and other home management duties under general direction of employer.
- Plan and prepare meals independently or with employer and may serve meals.
- May care for children.
Sample job titles
- doula
- home health care worker
- home support worker
- home-care worker
- housekeeper
- live-in caregiver - persons with disabilities
- personal care aide - home care
- personal care attendant - home care
- respite worker - home support
- visiting homemaker
Skills
- You should have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Patience and the ability to handle stressful situations may be needed. You must be efficient, yet sensitive to the needs of clients.
Job requirements
- Some high school education is usually required.
- College or other courses in home support may be required.
- First aid certification may be required.
- Completion of a training program in care of the elderly, care of persons with disabilities, convalescent care or in a related field may be required.
Other considerations
- Employment opportunities are often part-time or casual, with shift work required. People in these jobs may be required to work in various locations over the period of a day. Home management experience may be required. There is mobility among the jobs in this group.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$21,219 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$23,301 median annual incomeCape Breton
$22,986 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$20,546 median annual incomeSouthern
$24,420 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration
Retail trade
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$26,132 median annual incomeHigh school
$17,353 median annual incomeLess than high school
$14,733 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$30,261 median annual incomeBachelor
$24,249 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Human Services
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepare students to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. They include courses in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile