Things to Know Before Becoming a Home Health Aide
People who want to work in healthcare are increasingly interested in the sector of home health care aides. We’ve gathered a list of commonly asked questions about this occupation and provided detailed answers to them so that you could learn more about home health aides, classes, and training in Boston and other US cities and acquire all the information you need.
What Is a Home Health Aide’s Job?
Patients with physical or mental disabilities can be cared for within their own home or in specialized institutions such as a nursing home, and home health aides do that after undergoing training that includes in-person and online courses. Elderly people make up the majority of HHAs’ patients, but their services can also be utilized by persons who are unable to care for themselves for a variety of reasons unrelated to age.
Patients who have just been discharged from the hospital are also assisted by home health aides. In this case, an enormous range of tasks is required from personal care assistants, as opposed to those who work in homes caring for the disabled and elderly.
What Is Needed to Become a Certified HHA?
For certification in Boston MA or any other US city, you’ll need to complete home health aide training that covers patient care and assistance, basic medical care and terminology, emergency response, and other key skills that include housekeeping and organization.
Different states have different certification processes and norms. Each state, be it MA, CA, FL, or others, has its own requirements for HHA training, ranging from 75 to over 100 hours. Whatever your state’s certification process takes, the skills you get during classes will be useful in your profession, such as making healthy food,taking certain vital signs, helping patients with their personal hygiene, helping in the administration of medicines, etc.
After receiving home health aide training Boston, students can apply for certification provided by the National Association of Home Care and Hospice. NAHC certification requires 75 hours of training and passing an exam. This qualification is optional, but your hourly salary and job prospects may improve if you obtain it.
Are There Special Training Requirements to Become a Home Health Aide?
Certified home health aides in Massachusetts who want to work in the healthcare industry receive all of their education and training on the job. The agency will connect you with supervisors who can train you on how to handle basic housekeeping issues, respond effectively in an emergency, or follow specific dietary requirements patients might have.
If you want to work as a home health aide, after online and in-person training you can get certified. Red Cross and third-party groups such as Saving Hands also offer HHA lessons and training. Among the topics you’ll study are common health issues, hygiene, dealing with illnesses, interpersonal communication techniques, household management, etc.
Home health aide training MA and passing an examination to be certified are required by law for those who work for Medicare or Medicaid-funded organizations.
What Is the Best Place to Take HHA Courses?
In order to become a home health aide, the only thing you need to have is a strong desire. There are a number of organizations and courses that offer training in this field. You will get most of the knowledge and skills from performing your work tasks and caring for others.
What Is the Average Salary of a Home Health Aide?
According to the official data, the average HHA salary in the USA is $14.51 per hour and up to $30,000 per year. The highest paying city for a home health aide is Chicago, IL with a salary up to $22.44 per hour.
