Home Health Aide Certification and Certificate Programs
A home health aide certificate allows students to enter the healthcare field at the entry level. Students in a certificate program are taught basic patient care skills that allow them to serve as assistants to nurses and other healthcare professionals. A certificate program typically prepares students to seek state certification.
Home Health Aide Certificate Programs and Certification Information
A home health aide certificate program prepares students to work in the home of a disable, convalescent or elderly person to provide services, such as giving medication, checking vital signs, changing bandages, giving massages and helping with medical equipment. Most home health aide work is done under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed healthcare professional. Home health aide certificate programs are typically offered by community colleges and take a year or less to complete.
Education Prerequisites
Admission requirements for a home health aide certificate program may include meeting immunization and health screening requirements, passing a criminal background check and having a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools may require students to pass admission testing to enter a program or complete a clinical evaluation to graduate.
Course Topics
Home health aide certificate programs generally consist of one or two courses that provide a comprehensive training in the knowledge and skills needed for patient care. Within a program, students are instructed in a classroom setting and in a clinical context. Topics covered may include:
- Healthcare basic concepts
- Life support
- Medical terminology
- First aid
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2008 that there were 921,700 jobs held by home health aides (www.bls.gov). The BLS projected a 50% growth in jobs for home health aides from 2008 to 2018. The large increase in employment was expected to be due to a growing elderly population and increases in the number of people with debilitating health problems.
As of May 2010, the BLS reported a mean annual wage of $21,760 for this field. The 10th percentile earned $16,300 annually and the 90th percentile earned $29,390 per year.
Continuing Education Information
Each state has its own requirements for home health aide certification. Some states only require that the employing agency be certified, while others require home health aides to pass a certification exam following completion of an educational program. Besides a skills assessment examination, certification may also require a state administered criminal background check. Some states maintain a registry database of certified home health aides that can be accessed by the public.
Career advancement for a home health aide is limited without further education. Some home health aides may wish to complete a degree program in nursing to become a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.
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25 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AAS in Medical Assisting
- AS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
- Must be graduated from high school by 2011
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
- Florida (3 campuses)
- Georgia (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New York (4)
- Ohio (1)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Texas (3)
Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
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Non-Degree
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- Certificate in Medical Assisting Bilingual Version (English/Spanish) Medical Assistant
- Certificate in Medical Assistant
- Certificate in Medical Assisting Specialist
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- Diploma in Medical Assistant
- Diploma in Medical Assistant (Weekend Spanish Version)
- Diploma in Medical Assistant Bilingual (Spanish/English)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Undergraduate Certificate in General Studies (Medical Assistants)
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School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (3 campuses)
- California (16)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (4)
- Illinois (8)
- Indiana (2)
- Kentucky (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- New Jersey (3)
- Nevada (1)
- New York (2)
- Ohio (4)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (5)
- Tennessee (2)
- Texas (7)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (3)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (2)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Project Management
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Public Safety Leadership
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- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AS in Medical Assisting
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
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Bachelor
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- BS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (1 campus)
- Colorado (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Texas (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- MS in Health Services Management
- Bachelor
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma - Home Health Aide (Certified)
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