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Home Health Aide Classes and Schools
Home Health Aide Classes and Schools
Home health aides demonstrate patience and compassion through their work helping patients with mobility challenges go about their daily tasks. Read on to learn more about classes and training that can prepare you for the career.
What You Need To Know
Home health aides provide basic personal and health care to patients within their own homes. In the position, you will help disabled, chronically ill or elderly patients manage day-to-day activities. Your responsibilities may include personal care tasks such as housekeeping, light errands, grooming and hygiene assistance. You will also need to know how to perform basic health care procedures like taking temperature and blood pressure.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td> Medical terminology, basic health procedures, personal grooming, geriatrics</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Outlook (2021-2031)</b></td><td> 25% increase in jobs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2021)</b></td><td> $29,430 per year</td></tr>
</table><p>'Source: U.S Bureau Of Labor Statistics'
</p><h3 id="section---WhereCanIFindHomeHealthAidePrograms">Where Can I Find Home Health Aide Programs?</h3><p>Home health aide certification or certificate programs are usually found at community colleges. Career centers and even some healthcare organizations, such as the American Red Cross, also provide home health aide training. Some schools that offer home health aide programs include:
</p><ul><li>Daytona College
</li><li>Quincy College
</li><li>Massasoit Community College
</li><li>Santa Fe Community College
</li><li>Johnson County Community College
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatPrerequisitesShouldIHave">What Prerequisites Should I Have?</h3><p>A training program will likely require you to have a high school diploma or to pass an equivalency exam. Many employers, both government and private, require a background check. Applicants with a criminal background may be ineligible to work in the field. In addition, you will be required to be immunized. Because your work may require lifting patients with mobility issues, you may also have to meet physical fitness requirements.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIExpectWhenTrainingToBeAHomeHealthAide">What Can I Expect When Training to Be a Home Health Aide?</h3><p>Much of your training will be on the job, under the supervision of a licensed professional. However, you may also find certificate programs that can help you prepare for a state exam. Some programs are specifically designed to prepare nurses for the state exam. Other programs will simultaneously train you for work as a nursing assistant and a home health aide. You can also find programs that consist of just one or two courses. Some programs are even presented as non-credit certificate programs.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatClassesCanITake">What Classes Can I Take?</h3><p>Your program may provide training in personal grooming and basic health procedures while also covering medical terminology and geriatrics. Your program may also require an internship or some sort of training under the care of a licensed nurse. Topics covered in a home health aide certificate or certification program include:
</p><ul><li>Meal planning
</li><li>Patient handling
</li><li>Vital signs
</li><li>Patient safety
</li><li>Feeding, bathing and positioning
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheLicensingRequirements">What Are the Licensing Requirements?</h3><p>If you work for a home health service or agency that accepts Medicare and Medicaid, the federal government will require you to have a minimum level of training. In this instance, you must complete at least 75 hours of training and pass a competency evaluation or state exam. If you choose to take the competency exam without the required training, you still must receive a minimum of 15 hours of training before having contact with a resident. The federal requirement is a benchmark for state health care boards which may or may not require additional training.</p>
