<h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfProgramIsIt">What Kind of Program Is It?</h3> <p>The Home Health Aide Career Diploma at Penn Foster is an online self-paced program designed to teach you how to care for individuals who need assistance at home. The program covers several topics in its 9-course curriculum, including how to communicate with clients effectively, how to work as part of a home care team, and how to care for clients while allowing them to live their daily lives. The curriculum also covers topics such as medication, nutrition, and home care ethics. You'll be required to complete a 40-hour externship at the end of the program. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisites">What Are the Prerequisites?</h3> <p>To enroll in the program, you'll need a high school diploma or equivalent, a computer, and internet access. The minimum age requirement is 17 but you'll need to be at least 18 years old by the time you start the externship. Additionally, a criminal background check, negative tuberculosis test, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a reliable vehicle are required for the externship. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheCourseRequirements">What Are the Course Requirements?</h3> <p>There are 9 courses in the program, as well as the externship, 25 exams, and 1 project. The total hours of instruction time are 424; the program is self-paced and could take around 14-18 months to finish. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Course Code</th><th>Course Title</th></tr> <tr><td>SYP 110</td><td>Starting Your Program</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 101</td><td>Introduction to the Home Health Aide Role</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 102</td><td>Therapeutic Communication</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 103</td><td>Body Systems and Medication 1</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 104</td><td>Body Systems and Medication 2</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 105</td><td>Home Care Procedures</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 106</td><td>Nutrition</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 107</td><td>Meeting Clients' Needs</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 108</td><td>Law, Ethics, and Confidentiality for the Home Health Aide</td></tr> <tr><td>HHA 109</td><td>Home Health Aide Externship</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatCouldIDoAfterIGraduate">What Could I Do After I Graduate?</h3> <h4 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h4> <p>Upon graduation, you could pursue a career as a home health aide or a personal care aide. Home health aides and personal care aides provide at-home care and services for clients who need assistance for several things, such as personal and housekeeping tasks, transportation to work or appointments, and general management of their daily activities. Home health aides provide a little more medical services, such as administering medication and assisting with medical equipment/devices. Personal care aides provide more general services, such as cleaning, cooking, transportation, and companionship. </p> <h4 id="section---AdvancedDegrees">Advanced Degrees</h4> <p>Upon graduation, you could also pursue an advanced diploma or associate's degree in the field of nursing, which is related to the home health aide career. Depending on your training, you could become a nurse's assistant, licensed practical nurse, or registered nurse, and learn more advanced skills and techniques for caring for people. This includes more medical training, which could lead to more job opportunities or greater responsibilities. </p> <ul><li>Certified Nursing Assistant certificate </li><li>Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) diploma </li><li>Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)</li></ul>