First Day as a Home Health Aide: What to Bring and What to Expect

• Confirm the client, address, date, shift time, transportation, and entry instructions.
• Know who to call if you are late, cannot enter, feel unsafe, or the client is not home.
• Review assigned tasks and approved information.
• Charge your phone and confirm the approved EVV or timekeeping process.
• Wear clean, safe, professional clothing and required footwear.

• Required employee ID and agency badge.
• Agency phone numbers and emergency/reporting instructions.
• Timekeeping or EVV information.
• Only personal protective equipment and supplies approved by the agency.
• Your meal, water, and personal medication.
• A general reminder notebook only if policy permits—never unapproved client notes.

Arrive on time, identify yourself, confirm the correct client, and follow reasonable entry practices. Review the care plan and locate emergency contacts, approved supplies, and safety information. Ask about preferences while remaining within the assigned plan.

• Protect privacy, dignity, choice, and infection-control practices.
• Complete authorized tasks in the plan.
• Observe for new, worsening, unusual, or concerning changes.
• Report changes, refusals, missing supplies, safety issues, or incomplete tasks.
• Maintain boundaries involving money, gifts, social media, transportation, and family requests.

If you are unsure whether a request is permitted, review what home health aides are not allowed to do and contact your supervising nurse.

• Make sure the client is safe and essential items are within reach.
• Complete objective documentation on time.
• Record tasks, observations, refusals, and notifications as required.
• Use the approved handoff process.
• Clock out correctly and report needed follow-up.

“Hello, I’m [name], the home health aide from [agency]. I’m here for the scheduled shift. I would like to review today’s plan and learn how you prefer your routine while following the tasks my agency assigned.”