We all want to have a career that allows us to contribute to society in a meaningful way and make a difference in someone’s life. Home Health Aide can be a great choice for a stable job in the healthcare field, and the biggest advantage is that it requires minimal qualification. All you require is a passion for helping out those in need.
There is a great demand for HHA professionals, as the number of elderly requiring assistance continues to grow. If you are thinking of starting a career as a Home Health Aide (HHA) professional, the most direct pathway would be getting home health care certification and classes. You should also consider getting general or professional liability insurance to protect yourself from any kind of liability or claims. Visit this website to find out more.
In this article, we will explore everything related to HHA certification and training, and why you should consider getting one.
What does an HHA career entail?
Before getting the relevant certifications and training for the job, it is important to understand the role of a Home Health Aide. An HHA is required to provide assistance to the elderly, chronically ill, disabled, and those with cognitive impairment. Since it is difficult for such individuals to perform simple tasks of daily living, an HHA helps them with light housekeeping, dressing, bathing, and grooming. Besides daily monitoring of their health, HHAs also provide companionship to them. An HHA is also required to keep a log of a patient’s health, any changes in which would have to be reported to a supervisor.
To start a career as a home health aide, there is usually no requirement of formal education. However, certain HHA agencies might ask for some amount of training and certifications. The home health aide training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to work in a variety of settings.
What is a Home Health Aide Certificate?
A home health aide (HHA) certification is used to show that an individual possesses all the relevant skills and knowledge for the job. Getting an HHA certificate proves that you meet all the standards of an HHA professional, as per the state and federal courts. The duration of most certificate programs is around 75-180 hours, which includes classroom lectures as well as on-the-job training. Here are some topics which are usually covered in a training program –
- Elements of body functioning
- Observation and documentation of a patient’s status
- Recording respiration, pulse, and temperature
- Prevention of infection
- Nutrition
- Communication skills
- Personal hygiene practices and grooming
- Handing of emergencies
- Understanding the emotional and physical needs of the patient
If you want to be a successful HHA, it is important to participate in different types of education programs so that your certificate remains updated. You should consider taking 12 hours of continuing education after every 12 months or so.
Why does an HHA certification matter?
HHAs are usually required to work in people’s homes, which means that they are not supervised directly. This makes it all the more important for them to know their job thoroughly. A certificate program will ensure that a person undergoes rigorous training to handle all the basic duties and also possible emergencies. However, the HHA certification requirements usually change from one state to another, and even among agencies. Some states might also have different requirements for education. In most cases, however, a simple GED or high school diploma is enough to gain an HHA certification.
Getting an HHA certification is always better because –
- The federal law states that home healthcare agencies receiving Medicaid or Medicare funds should only hire certified HHA professionals.
- The majority of the states require HHAs to have certification.
- The shortage of certified nursing assistants (CAN) has made it important for HHA to take on additional responsibilities. However, HHAs who are certified are the only ones well-equipped to do so.
Besides this, there are two additional benefits of getting certified –
- Better pay: HHAs are considered to be among the top 10 percent of earners in the United States. According to an online report, the salary of a Home Health Aide in the United States is around $20,610 per annum. It is amply evident that a certification will only help you in securing a better salary.
- More job opportunities: As we have already stated, the majority of the states require an HHA professional to be certified these days. By obtaining a certificate you will be able to markedly improve your chances of securing a better job in the field.
Obtaining an HHA certification is important if you wish to maximize your opportunities, and ensure your employability in the future as well.
Conclusion
If you are desirous of entering the medical field to work as an HHA professional, the first step is obtaining the HHA certification. From the aforementioned points, it is clear that there are many benefits of getting an HHA certificate. You will certainly be able to increase your growth opportunities and options, and it will help you in flourishing in the field.
