Home Health Aide

Education Needed

• Home Health Aides usually need at least a high school diploma or GED; however, entry-level workers can begin at age 16 in some states, and thus don’t need a diploma or GED yet
• A college degree isn’t required, but each state has its own requirements for HHA workers to meet
• Note, that federal law requires that “Medicare-certified home health agencies employ home health aides who are trained and evaluated through training programs approved by their states.”

1. Federal law also requires HHA training programs to consist of “at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of continuing education per each 12-month period”

• HHAs who work for non-Medicare-certified agencies (or who are employed privately by a person or family) may have less formal requirements, but it depends on the state and employer

1. Agencies offering medical services have stricter requirements

• Some states may require more than the federal-mandated 75 hours of training (for Medicare-certified agency work)

1. For example, California requires 120 hours—the minimum level recommended by the Institute of Medicine—for HHA state certification. 
   Those who already have an active Certified Nursing Assistant certificate would only need to complete a 40-hour hour
2. Check out PHI’s HHA Training Requirements by State list to learn more
3. Programs may need to be accredited by the Joint Commission or the Community Health Accreditation Program. Check your specific state’s or desired employer’s requirements!

• In addition, workers may need to pass a criminal background check
• HHA training programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and sometimes through licensed home healthcare agencies. 
  Instructors may include registered nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, and social workers
• Programs include both classroom instruction and practical hands-on training. Common course topics include:

1. Basic caregiving skills
2. Common medical conditions
3. First aid and CPR
4. Infection control
5. Nutrition and meal preparation
6. Patient rights and ethics
7. Personal hygiene care
8. Safe transfer techniques and basic mobility assistance

• Training can last from a few weeks to many months. Some states require HHAs to pass a competency exam to become certified
• In addition to formal training, on-the-job training is common to learn about unique clients needs
• Optional certifications include:

1. American Board of Wound Management - Certified Wound Care Associate
2. American Council on Exercise - Functional Training Specialty Certification
3. Board of Medical Specialty Coding and Compliance - Home Care Coding Specialist
4. National Center for Competency Testing - Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician    
5. National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care - Certified Alzheimer Caregiver
6. National Council of State Boards of Nursing - Medication Aide Certification    
7. National Healthcareer Association - Patient Care Technician/Assistant
8. Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America - Assistive Technology Professional

HHA training programs are available at community colleges, vocational/technical schools, and licensed home healthcare agencies.

• Review the exact training and certification/licensure requirements for the state you plan to work in.
• Consider tuition costs, discounts, scholarships, and course delivery options (on-campus, online, or hybrid program).
• Look for accredited programs with strong reputations and high pass rates for state certification exams.
• Review the available options for hands-on training in local settings.
• Check out online reviews from previous students, and browse online forums to ask questions and get advice. If the program is offered by a for-profit school, look it up on the Better Business Bureau’s site to see if there’ve been any major complaints
• Consider the duration of the program and the flexibility of class schedules, especially if balancing other commitments.

• Volunteer at community centers, nursing homes, disabled veterans centers, special needs camps, or healthcare settings to gain exposure and pick up practical skills
• Engage in a good exercise program to build strength and stamina
• Take classes in high school related to anatomy, physiology, biology, health sciences, nutrition, home economics, and first aid
• Join health-related clubs in school to learn and network
• Earn good grades so you can get accepted into a suitable HHA training program
• Participate in school activities where you can hone your soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, project management, and time management
• Consider learning a second language such as Spanish
• Knock out your first aid and CPR courses  
• Think about the format you want to take classes in. Some topics are fine for online study, but others need to be learned in person
• Research the HHA certification requirements for your state. Keep in mind that you may have to pass a criminal background check
• Request an informational interview with a working Home Health Aide to learn about their duties
• Check out online articles and videos about the career field, the various settings you could work in, and extra certifications you may want to pursue!
• Maintain a list of contacts (with phone numbers or emails) who might serve as future job references
• Keep a working draft of your resume and update it as you gain experience