Home Health Aide Certification In Kentucky

If you’re interested in a healthcare career focused on providing compassionate care and companionship to those in need, becoming a certified home health aide may just be the job for you. Home health aides play an essential role in the healthcare industry, providing care to patients in the comfort of their own homes. Although certification is not a requirement to become a home health aide (HHA) in Kentucky, it can lead to increased job prospects and higher pay.

Licensing Requirements In Kentucky

In Kentucky, home health aides (HHAs) are known as state registered nurse aides (SRNAs). Although not licensed healthcare professionals, HHAs are still required to pass an approved training and competency program to be registered on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has given the task of nurse aide training to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). The KCTCS oversees and administers all the nurse aide training in Kentucky.

To become a home health aide (HHA) in Kentucky, candidates must complete at least 75 hours of classroom training and 16 hours of supervised practical training.

After completing a state-approved training program and the competency evaluation, HHAs will obtain their certification and receive a listing in the HHA registry.

Home Health Aide Certification Process In Kentucky

Although not all home health aides require certification in Kentucky, obtaining one can demonstrate your knowledge and ability to perform essential healthcare tasks. An HHA certificate can also make your job search easier as many employers favor candidates who hold a certification.

Here, we detail the steps you need to take to become a home health aide in Kentucky:

Graduate with a high school diploma or GED. Most accredited schools require these as minimum requirements while others may also request undergoing a physical exam, passing an English and math test, and having a background check.
Enroll in a Home Health Aide training program from an accredited institute. To be eligible for the HHA certification, home health aides must complete an accredited training program. If you work for an organization connected to Medicaid or Medicare, you’ll typically need to complete a state-approved program.
Complete the HHA training program and state-required hours. This involves 75 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of practical training, which are usually provided through certified agencies.
Pass the HHA certification exam. A widely-recognized national certification option for HHAs is the NNAAP exam which consists of a written and practical assessment.The NNAAP is considered the most preferred certification in comparison to others in the field of home health care.
Maintain your certification. The certification must be renewed after two years. To renew your certification, you must provide evidence of employment, including 8 hours of paid personal care/home care services within the past two years. You must also complete 12 hours of continuing education each year.

Best HHA Education Programs In Kentucky

To successfully obtain your certification and become a home health aide in Kentucky, it’s crucial to choose an approved training program from an accredited institute.

1. West Kentucky Community and Technical College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College offers a Nursing Assistant Training Program that includes options to become certified in different nurse aide roles, such as:

Medicaid Nurse Aide (MNA)
Advanced Nursing Assistant (ANA)
Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA)

All of these programs span one semester and equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide hygiene, comfort, exercise, and safety to patients and clients.

2. Maysville Community and Technical College

Maysville Community and Technical College offer both an NAA 100 (nursing assistant) and MNA 100 (Medicaid nurse aide) training program. These programs cover all aspects of the home health aide role and prepare students for the state competency exam and placement on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry.

The classes are offered year-round at different campuses, including Licking Valley (Cynthiana), Montgomery County (Mt. Sterling), Rowan County (Morehead), Maysville, and Carlisle.

3. Somerset Community and Technical College

Somerset Community and Technical College also offer the NAA 100 training program. This program prepares students for a career as a state registered nurse aide (SRNA).

The program teaches basic home and personal care activities, including hands-on training at skilled nursing facilities. This program is available at the Somerset, Laurel, Russell, and McCreary campuses at various times and days.

4. Western Kentucky University – School of Nursing

Western Kentucky University offers an SRNA training program that covers all aspects of the role, including in-classroom instruction and hands-on training at local healthcare facilities.

This program can be completed in as little as three weeks and students can pick between two summer program options, either from the end of May to the beginning of June or the end of June to the beginning of July.

Job Outlook And Salary For A Home Health Aide In Kentucky

The field of home health care in Kentucky is experiencing remarkable growth with a job outlook of 25%, making it an excellent time to become a home health aide.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, home health aides can expect to earn a median annual salary of $29,430 in the US.

What’s more, there are projected to be over 700,000 annual job openings for home health and personal care aides over the next decade. The cities that are predicted to have the most job opportunities are Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington, and Hopkinsville.

Where To Find Work

Home health aides can find work in a range of settings, including hospitals, group homes, hospices, private residences, and daycare facilities. Nursing homes and hospitals in particular are always searching for the services of home health and personal care aides.

Home care agencies are also a common employer of home health aides in Kentucky, many of which provide home health aide training and specialized certification to staff.

For top-rated agencies to find work in Kentucky, consider applying to:

BrightStar Care – Northern Kentucky
Helping Hands – Northern Kentucky
Senior Helpers – Lexington

FAQs

How can a home health aide advance their career?

Home health aides have various career advancement opportunities, including pursuing certification as a nursing assistant or a registered nurse.

How long does it take to become a home health aide?

To become a home health aide in Kentucky, you will need to complete 75 hours of training which can be done in as little as 3 weeks.

Do home health aides need to be certified?

No, certification is not required to become a home health aide. You are only required to be certified to work with HAA agencies that receive reimbursement for Medicare or Medicaid.

Sources:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-home-health-aide

https://medicalfieldcareers.com/become-an-hha/

https://medicalfieldcareers.com/hha-classes-kentucky/

https://www.coursera.org/articles/home-health-aide-certification

https://maysville.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/medicaid-nurse-aide.aspx

https://somerset.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/cpr-phlebotomy-nurse-aide.aspx

https://www.wku.edu/scahec/srna.php