Learn about working as a Home Health Care Aide
What is a Home Health Care Aide?
A home health Aide (HHA) is a helper who help people with their daily activities, and although not much different from a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) they work more with people such as the elderly, chronically ill, and/or disabilities within the home or hospice settings. Many CNA's usually become certified as HHA's when they work for Home Care Companies. Yes, in most States' you would be certified in both fields. HHA's also perform many of the same duties, such as bathing, dressing, and hygiene care, as well as, light housekeeping, cooking, and transportation, and grocery shopping or errands. And in some States' perform some medical care, such as checking vital signs. Just like a CNA works under the supervision of a RN or LPN, or Medical personnel so do HHA's in the home setting, except they usually only come in for visits maybe once a month.
Education and Training as a HHA
Home Health Aides are usually trained on the job, and will receive training from the home care company. If you work for an agency who is funded by Medicare or Medicaid, you are legally required to receive training and pass an evaluation or earn a certificate from the state of your residence. There are also home-health training courses through third party organizations, such as the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), and in these programs you will learn the basic training of hygiene care, light housekeeping duties, and cooking special diets for patients. Caregiverlist.com is also a great place to start off with your Caregiver training and job application.
Become Certified
The National Association of Home Care and Hospice offers the Home Care Aide National Certification Program, a credentialing process that requires you to complete 75 hours of training, demonstrate competency in your skills and earn a passing score on a written examination (www.nahc.org). Some states require that home health aides be certified, while others do not, so be sure to check with your state for specific requirements.
Related Alternative Careers
Another option for individuals who are interested in helping people with daily activities is a job as a certified nurse assistant (CNA). These professionals provide daily assistance and basic patient care for individuals living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. However, it is important to note that, unlike home health aides, they must complete a postsecondary program and pass a certification exam before they can work. A slightly higher-level nursing option is a job as a licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). They focus more specifically on clinical care; they consult with patients, monitor their health status and report back to registered nurses and doctors. Like CNAs, LPNs and LVNs need to get a certificate or diploma and pass a licensure exam.
(Resources and Research was conducted online and experience work knowledge @2017 Social Super Nurse)
