Which Schools in Florida Offer Home Health Aide Classes & Training?

Are you interested in becoming a home health aide worker who is trained in basic medical procedures and care-giving techniques? Home health aide workers help those who are ill but can heal at home with the help of a kind, knowledgeable care worker.

What You Need to Know

Although no licensure or certification is required of home health aides working in Florida, those who want to complete training in order to gain an advantage in seeking employment may do so through a number of career prep and certificate programs in the state. Programs are offered by two-year or less than two-year schools, most of which are public, in Florida. Career programs require the completion of 50-75 hours of instruction and certificate programs offered in the field may be completed in less than three months. At least one CNA (certified nurse assistant) program is also available, lasting 12 weeks and earning students eligibility to sit for the CNA licensing examination.

Home Health Aide (HHA) Classes in Florida

Manatee Technical College

The HHA career preparation course is offered at MTI's East Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is available to adults and high school seniors. You do not have to pay tuition if you're a Manatee County High School student, but you must pay the class materials fee. The course consists of 50 hours of training and is offered as part of the institute's patient care technician (PCT) 600 hour program. If you wish to complete the entire PCT program, your first semester of training will cover skills needed to become a nursing assistant or patient care assistant. In your second semester, you will receive training to become a unit clerk, electrocardiogram (EKG) aide or phlebotomist.

• Program Name: Home Health Aide Career Preparation Program
• Program Length: 50 hours
• Tuition and Fees: $5,486 for all undergraduates per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or general education diploma (GED)
• Requirements: Attend info session to get application, apply in person at east campus, meet with career counselor, submit proof of residency, physical exam and immunizations, pass criminal background check, complete the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE)
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 1,132 students

Technical Education Center-Osceola (TECO)

The TECO is part of the School District of Osceola County, FL and is the county's only adult education institution. The 75 hour HHA training course is designed for CNAs and covers topics such as first aid, CPR, disease concepts, nutrition, personal care and safety procedures. Classes are offered on a full-time schedule during the day, Monday-Friday. By completing this course, you can learn the skills necessary to work with clients, such as the mentally or physically disabled, critically-ill, or the elderly.

• Program Name: Home Health Aide (HHA) Career Program
• Program Length: 75 hours
• Tuition: Not available for specific courses
• Requirements: Submit TABE scores, application and supporting documents to the Student Services Offices, must be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and complete the TABE
• School Type: Less than 2-year, public; about 655 students

Home Health Aide Diploma/Certificate Programs in Florida

Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations (ANHO)

The curriculum for this diploma program deals with three main areas: the health careers core, home health aide and nurse assistant training. You will spend 240 hours doing theoretical coursework, laboratory exercises and clinical field work. The program also offers training in conflict resolution, employment and sensitivity skills, as well as job search assistance.

• Program Name: Home Health Aide/Nurse Assistant Diploma Program
• Program Length: 603 contact hours
• Tuition and Fees: $39,300 for entire program (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED
• Requirements: At least 17 years of age, pass tuberculosis test and criminal background check, comply with drug free policies, good physical and mental health
• School Type: 2-year, private; about 466 students

Seminole State College of Florida

Located in the central region of the state, Seminole State College of Florida is the ninth largest institution in the Florida College System - with about 32,700 students enrolled, as of 2010-2011. If you're looking to transition from a being a CNA to becoming a home health aide, this advanced vocational certificate program can prepare you to provide in-home care to clients. The program consists of 215 semester hours and covers training on topics, such as food preparation, household management and personal care. This school also offers a 12 week combined nursing assistant/HHA program, which qualifies you to sit for the State of Florida CNA exam.

• Program Name: Advanced Home Health Aide (HHA) Certificate Program
• Program Length: 215 hours
• Tuition and Fees: $3,131 for residents; $11,456 for non-residents per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Requirements: Current basic life support certification, must be a CNA, complete the TABE
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 18,104 students

For home health aides, one does not necessarily need to complete a program of study, but it may be helpful to find gainful employment. Classes are offered at Manatee Technical College and the Technical Education Center - Osceola; certificate/diploma programs are offered at the Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations and Seminole State College of Florida.