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If you're interested in entering the healthcare field, becoming a home health aide (HHA) is a great way to get your foot in the door.
Although specific requirements vary from state to state, you can generally become an HHA right out of high school, if not sooner.
This career gives you a lot of hands-on experience and can also help you support yourself through nursing school.
What Is a Home Health Aide?
Home health aides generally work with older adults and people with disabilities so they can live at home.
As a home health aide, you're part of a profession that provides care and compassion to people in need.
Job Duties
HHAs essentially enable older people and people with disabilities to live at home instead of at an assisted living facility. They're responsible for the tasks their client can't do. This includes everything from household chores to transportation.
An HHA also assists their client with personal tasks, which could include bathing, dressing, or going to the bathroom.
HHAs also serve as a companion for their client, keeping them engaged and occupied and taking them on social outings.
Important Personal Qualities
HHAs have strong emotional skills and empathy. They're extremely sensitive and compassionate and enjoy serving and helping others.
The best HHAs are also good listeners who understand their client's needs and are respectful of their privacy.
You also need to be meticulous and detail-oriented, since care and cleaning instructions can often be highly specific.
Education and Training
The bulk of an HHA's education consists of on-the-job training. Many HHA placement services also offer training programs.
HHAs are often trained in personal hygiene, infection control, and cooking for clients with specific dietary needs.
Medical training is typically more limited, although an HHA might read vital signs, dispense medications, or respond to emergencies.
HHAs who work for a government agency or hospice organization typically have more extensive training.
Steps to Becoming a Home Health Aide (HHA)
Learn more about how to become a home health aide and the training required.
Step 1: Graduate from High School
Although a high school diploma isn't technically required to be an HHA, most practicing HHAs have one.
In some states, you can become a home health aide as young as 16 years of age, as long as you meet other licensing requirements.
If you're interested in this medical career, taking science and math classes in high school can help prepare you for the field.
Home economics and related classes will also prepare you for many of the household tasks HHAs are responsible for.
Step 2: Complete an HHA Training Program
Some states have specific, state-licensed home health aide training programs that you must complete before you can be certified as an HHA.
In other states, you're responsible for setting up your own training. Many HHA placement services have training programs.
Training typically involves providing services and care for older or disabled individuals under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN).
Most training programs also have a classroom component. Classes are typically offered by local community colleges.
Step 3: Take a Certification or Licensing Exam
Certification tells your future employers or clients that you're well-trained and capable of meeting their needs.
Most HHAs get certification through the Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP).
This program is offered through community colleges and consists of 50 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours.
After you complete the training portion, you'll undergo a practical skills evaluation, written exam, and criminal background check.
Step 4: Register As an HHA in Your State
Many, but not all, states require HHAs to register. This helps the state track and regulate HHAs.
Once registered, clients or their loved ones can evaluate your record to determine if you're the right HHA for the job.
Some states also require HHAs to complete continuing education courses each year to stay up to date on job-related issues.
Step 5: Find a Position With a Healthcare Provider
Many HHAs work with placement services that provide HHAs to individuals who need them.
These placement services have their own education requirements and typically conduct a background check before hiring you.
Some HHAs also work as freelancers. They typically offer their services on an app for caregivers so that individuals can find and hire them directly.
Freelancing might work better for you if you're working as an HHA while earning your degree or fulfilling other responsibilities.
HHA Salary
HHAs earned an average of $29,430 nationwide in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Most HHAs are employed in New York, California, and New Mexico, states with significantly large aging populations.
Pay is also higher in these states, where you can expect to earn around $32,000 a year.
HHA Job Outlook
Demand for home health aides is expected to grow 25% from 2021 to 2031, a rate much faster than average for all occupations in the country.
This makes home health work a great entry-level occupation for anyone interested in getting started in the healthcare field.
Learn How to Become a Home Health Aide Today
Reach out to Best Accredited College today for more information if you're ready to start your career as a home health aide.
