Home Health Aide Certification in Iowa

A career as a home health aide is not only a very important one as it helps to care for the health of vulnerable people but also a potentially fulfilling one. A home health aide is tasked with performing certain care tasks for the sick, disabled, and elderly. This includes scheduling appointments, checking vital signs, tending to medical needs, preparing meals, and so on. A home health aide might work within their clients’ homes, at a hospital, in a care home, at a skilled nursing facility, and in a plethora of other settings.

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Anyone looking to begin their career as an aide should consider getting an HHA certification in Iowa. Becoming a certified home health aide could be the start of a career in the Iowan healthcare field. Also, there are several paths to getting this certification and different avenues for finding work as a home health aide in Iowa.

Licensing Requirements in Iowa

It is worth noting that you can become a home health aide in Iowa by meeting the federal minimum requirements. These involve 75 initial training hours, including 16 hours of clinical training.

This is the same training that a certified nursing assistant needs to complete and is designed to equip trainees to deal with the requirements of the job. You will also need to complete 12 hours of continuous training in Iowa every 12 months that you are certifed.

Best Education Programs for Home Health Aides in Iowa

Home health aides need to obtain their training from a state-approved home health aide training course. The good news is that several community colleges and universities offer home health aide certifications in Iowa.

Keep in mind that a high school diploma or GED is required before you can sign up for one of these courses. If you already have this, you may apply for a home health aide course from one of the following accredited institutions;

  1. Eastern Iowa Community College (Homemaker home health aide program)
  2. Iowa Western Community College (Certified nursing assistants program)
  3. Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Nursing programs)
  4. Western Iowa Tech Community College (Nursing assistant program)
  5. Northwest Iowa Community College (Home health aide program)

Courses at accredited institutions take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks and once your training is complete, you can take the Iowa HHA certification test, which is in two parts. If you pass both and complete the required initial training hours, you will receive your certification and can begin your work as a home health aide.

Job Outlook and Salaries for Home Health Aides

It has been projected that the demand for home health aides will increase significantly in the next few years. Establishments like home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and care homes will need the services of home health aides, which offers a positive outlook for the career field.

In terms of salaries for home health aides, certain factors come into play such as location, employer, years of training, and so on.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for home health aides is about $29,420. The Bureau also projects a 25% increase in demand for this profession from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average.

Cities with higher populations and high demand for home health aides will offer a higher salary for recruits. Those who choose to work as a home health aide in Iowa full-time will also have a higher earning potential than those who work part-time hours.

Finding Work as a Home Health Aide

Keep in mind that home health aides work in a variety of settings and there are many ways to go about looking for a job in this field. To get started on your job search, consider some of the following resources;

Associations’ Job Boards

One of the first places to seek out is national associations for healthcare workers as these often advertise job opportunities that might be relevant to you.

The National Association of Health Care Assistants, for example, has a job board that advertises open positions in the medical field. Look through various organizations’ job boards and apply for any position you are qualified for. If possible, set up job alerts for terms like personal care aides, direct care workers, and home health care aide.

Agencies’ Websites

When many people want to seek out home care and similar services for a family member, they usually turn to a home health agency for their needs. If you are looking for a job in home health services, an agency would be a good place to start.

A simple Google search of the term ‘home health agencies near me’ should yield some results. Visit these agency websites and apply if they have any positions open. Additionally, some allow you to register your CV with them for future work opportunities.

Job Boards

While you should look for jobs on healthcare-specific job boards, general job boards are an option as well. Hospitals, care homes, and agencies regularly advertise for home health services positions all of the time. Search through sites like LinkedIn and Indeed and apply to positions that match your skills and offer an annual salary range that you are satisfied with.

Leverage Your Network

One way to get a job in home health care is to leverage the network that you already have. Reach out to your fellow students from the schools you completed your HHA training and let them know that you are in the job market. Some might have gone on to begin their home care careers and might be aware of some employment opportunities you can apply to.

Some schools that offer HHA training also offer career support and guidance, usually towards the end of your program. These include career fairs, job-seeking support, and so on. If your schools had any such resources, you might want to look into them and take advantage.

FAQs

What should you study to become a home health aide?

Some agencies will allow you to train on the job under supervision from a qualified HHA, however you should ideally study a program that includes CPR skills and first aid, and medical knowledge such as how to change bandages, administer medication and basic terminology.

A certified nursing assistant degree typically covers these topics.

What is the easiest healthcare licence to get?

Becoming a Certified Phlebotomy Technician or a Medical Assistant are tow of the easiest healthcare licences to get.