Certified Home Health Aides are certified individuals who are often employed in home environments. They are tasked with helping their clientele carry out routine chores that they cannot perform on their own.
What Does a Certified Home Health Aide Do?
According to the data reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Certified Home Health Aides (CHHA) are supposed to assist patients with mental or physical disabilities in performing routine tasks that require a certain amount of movement or strength. Therefore, typical duties of a CHHA include;
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Helping clients with shower/bath
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Running errands
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Keeping track of medicines
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Cooking for them
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Keeping them company etc.
People who are dedicated and have the grit to work in this field must have outstanding communication skills. They must have perseverance, patience and attention to detail since, they will be working closely with the clients and their families. They must be compassionate, dependable, respectful, punctual and must be professional in all dealings.
Employers prefer hiring people who have certain trainings such as, CPR and know how to dress wounds etc. All CHHAs must have the basic understanding of medical terminologies and they must know how to follow the instructions of healthcare professionals regarding their clients.
Steps to Become a Home Health Aide
Working as a Certified Home Health Aide is a challenging and difficult job that demands long hours and tons of patience. If you have the grit and compassion to follow this career, then here is what you must do.
Step-1: Complete Required Education
Becoming a Certified Home Health Aide does not actually require a particular formal education. However, you must complete at least a high school diploma or a GED to begin working in this profession. To improve the career prospects, many individuals choose to complete some non-degree courses or certificates at community, technical or vocational colleges.
Step-2: Training or Certifications
All CHHAs are required to get some training or certifications because employers prefer hiring candidates with these credentials. For example, you may complete certain courses and learn to cook nutritious meals for clients or you may get CPR certification. In contrast, you may obtain some medical training in dressing wounds or giving first aid in case of emergencies. Apart from all this, candidates are provided on-the-job training as well to suit the client’s needs.
Step-3: Licensure or Certifications
It is not mandatory for Home Health Aides to be certified in all states of the US and the requirements also vary depending on the state. The states that require certifications need candidates to complete certified formal training through community, vocational and technical colleges. In addition to that, candidates must pass a written exam and clear a background check to be eligible for certification.
How Much Can I Make as a Certified Home Health Aid in the US?
In accordance with the data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018, the Home Health Aides employed in the US earned an annual mean income of $25,330 which almost equates to $12.18 mean wage per hour. Moreover, the Social Advocacy Organizations was reported as the highest paying industry with an annual mean income of $42,290. In addition to that, New York was named as the state with the highest level of employment (191,820) and Nevada was listed as the top paying state for this career with an annual mean salary of $35,450 in 2018.