Home Health Aide Certification In Massachusetts

The elderly population in the US is growing by the day, and as a result, home health aides are in very high demand, and will continue to be for many years to come. Becoming a home health aide (HHA) isn’t all that difficult, especially in the state of Massachusetts. Generally, the only thing you need to get into HHA training programs is a high school diploma and a clear criminal record.

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If you are patient, kind, and enjoy helping others, then a career as a home health aide might just be for you. So, if you want to find out more, keep reading. We’ll be covering how to achieve HHA certification in Massachusetts, the licensing requirements in the state, and the best home health aide training options.

Licensing Requirements In Massachusetts

Some states require you to become a certified nursing assistant to practice as a home health aide. The Massachusetts HHA requirements are much laxer, and you do not need this certification to practice.

However, home health aide certification will be necessary if you want to work for state-approved home health agencies in Massachusetts.

Interestingly, a home health aide certificate does not expire, and once you receive it you do not need to reapply.

How To Get Health Aide Certification In Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you have two options to choose from if you want to practice as a home health aide. You can become a certified nursing assistant, which is not a requirement, but will provide you with more career opportunities. Otherwise, you can go the standard route and become a certified home health aide.

To receive home health aide certification you must complete a home health aide training program that consists of at least 75 hours of training. These 75 hours of training must include at least 16 hours of clinical training and at least 12 hours of in-service training.

Upon the successful completion of a home health aide training course, you will receive a Home Health Aide (HHA) certificate of completion. You will also be registered on the Massachusetts Home Health Aide/Nurse Aide registry.

There is no exam that students need to take to become certified home health aides in Massachusetts.

To become a certified nursing assistant in Massachusetts, you will need to go through a training program and then take the Massachusetts state exam. It is called the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP).

Best Education Programs For Home Health Aides In Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, there are many certified nursing assistant and HHA training options available to students. There are even some combined courses that prepare you to receive both certifications.

Greenfield Community College

Greenfield Community College is located in Greenfield, Massachusetts. It offers a 100-hour combined CNA and HHA training program. The program prepares students to work as both certified nursing assistants and home health aides.

By completing the program, you will be awarded home health aide certification, and you will be prepared to take the NNAAP exam.

Bristol Community College

Bristol Community College is located in Fall River, Massachusetts. It offers a nurse aide training course that provides students with the knowledge they need to take the state certification exam.

By completing this program you will be able to work as both a certified nursing assistant and a certified home health aide.

Massasoit Community College

Massasoit Community College is located in Brockton, Massachusetts. It offers a 100-hour home health aide program that will allow students to become a personal care homemaker or a home health aide. It will also provide them with HHA certification.

Job Outlook

Home health aides are in extremely high demand in Massachusetts and many other states. Job opportunities are also only expected to increase in the years to come. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the sector are expected to increase by 25% from 2021 to 2031.

This means that on average there will be around 711,7oo job openings for home health aides each year until 2031.

Salary Expectations

The national average annual wage for a home health aide is $29,260, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the average annual wage for a home health aide in Massachusetts is quite a bit higher at $34,990.

This translates to $16.82 per hour, which is a good wage when you consider the short training time for an HHA certificate.

Where To Find Work

Home health aides can find work at many different facilities. They can find work at:

  • Home health agencies
  • Group homes
  • Nursing homes
  • Assisted living facilities.

FAQs

What does a home health aide have to wear to work?

The clothing you need to wear as a home health aide will differ, depending on your employer. Some employers require home health aides to wear medical scrubs with sneakers or other comfortable shoes.

Other companies may require home health aides to wear a company uniform with an apron so that they look professional. However, there are a few employers that allow home health aides to wear normal street clothes.

Who needs home health aide services?

As a home health aide, you will generally help elderly people who are either too frail to look after themselves or have mental health conditions like Alzheimer’s.

However, some disabled people may also need the services of a home health aide.

Which state pays home health aide workers the most?

On average, Washington pays home health aide workers the most for their services. The average annual wage for home health aides in the state is $36,120. Vermont is second in this category, as home health aides earn around $35,490 per year in the state.

Sources

https://www.healthcarepathway.com/home-health/massachusetts-home-health-aide/

http://www.homehealthaideonline.com/home/hha-training-in-massachusetts/

https://www.howtobecomeahomehealthaide.com/find-home-health-aide-training-massachusetts/

https://www.phinational.org/advocacy/home-health-aide-training-requirements-state-2016/