Step 1: High School Diploma (optional)
There is no compulsory education requirement for Home Health Aides. Most do however have high school diplomas.
Step 2: Receive formal Home Health Aide Training
Certified home health agencies and hospitals require their aides to have a formal training. The standard test includes practical demonstration of competency in the presence of a registered nurse. Introductory Home Health Aide classes are may be offered at various community colleges or at vocational and technical schools. Upon completion of these classes, the students get certified. However, certification is only done if they can demonstrate they have met all requirements through the tests they take.
All the training is done by a registered nurse. Students have to undertake and pass the required practical assessment before they are permitted to work with a client. In other occasions other
experienced home health aide assistants perform the training.
The certificate course period lasts one semester or at least 16 hours. Home Health Aide Programs typically include subjects such as patient care, elementary medical care, emergency response, and housekeeping duty performance. Students learn to care for home residents by administering medication and offering hygiene assistance. Other course subjects include monitoring pulse and blood pressure of the patients. The students go through rigorous sessions of medical terminology, home healthcare support and provision and home maintenance and organizational skills.
Step 3: (Optional) Get certified
Home Health Aides do not need State licenses. However optional certification is available from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. This certification from the NAHC requires 75 hours of training.
Even after qualification, on the job training will be essential for new HHA to get the all-encompassing skills of the job, to be able to meet complex patient needs. Patient specific needs include special diets, cooking assistance and transfer techniques for the elderly or disabled.
New HHAs need to be physically fit and must primarily be in good health. Since aides build a personal relationship with the clients, they are required to demonstrate virtues such as patience, care, and dependability.
Step 4: Find Employment
Employers in the industry include hospitals and nurse agencies. Qualified Home Health Aides can also practice privately. There is an increasing shortage of HHAs and therefore families seek to hire private individuals rather than use an agency.