Home Health Aide Certification In Maine
Maine has the most home health aide licensing and certification requirements out of any state. HHA certification in Maine requires 180 hours of training. This is a lot, considering some other states only require 80. After which, you’ll have to register with the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants.
In this guide, we’ll explore the licensing and certification requirements of home health aides in Maine in full. We’ll also explore the best institutions offering HHA programs in the state, as well as the job outlook and current salaries of a home health aide.
Licensing Requirements In Maine
In Maine, home health aides are considered to be certified nursing assistants. Therefore, they need to be trained both as certified nursing assistants and home health aides.
Once you’ve met the educational requirements, you need to be registered with the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants. After this, you’ll have a license to work as a home health aide in Maine.
In terms of educational background, you only need to have completed 9th grade. However, as always, a high school diploma would be preferred.
Certification
You’ll need to either complete a home health aide or a certified nursing assistant course. Whichever you go for, it needs to consist of 180 hours, and be broken up as follows:
- 20 hours of lab work
- 90 hours of theory work
- 70 hours of clinical practice work
These courses will be led by a registered professional nurse and provide students with an up-to-date resource library.
Theory and practical training will cover all you need to know to become a home health aide. This includes administering medicine, bathing, recording vital signs, and so on. At the end of the course, you’ll have to complete a competency examination. Upon passing this exam, you’ll receive a certificate.
Once you complete the course and get a job with a home health agency, you’ll have to carry out 12 hours of additional in-service training per year. Your employment practices will also provide you with home health aide orientation throughout your employment.
If you come from another state and would like to register with the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing, you’ll have to complete additional HHA training. Unless you’ve already completed 160 hours worth of home health agency training in another state.
Best Education Programs
Maine College of Health
70 Middle Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
Central Maine Community College
1250 Turner Street, Auburn, ME 04210
Biddeford Adult Education
624 W Street Biddeford, ME 04005
Job Outlook
The job outlook for home health services is looking very promising across the board. The Bureau of Labour Statistics has predicted that health aide jobs will increase by 25% by 2031, which is above average. Given the number of facilities offering training courses throughout the state, health aide job opportunities in Maine are likely to increase, too.
Salaries
Based on figures provided by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, home health aides earn $29,430 a year (on average).
Where To Find Work
Once you’re registered with Maine’s State Registry of CNA, you can start applying for jobs. The best place to check for job opportunities would be personal care aid agencies. Some of the best agencies in Maine include:
- Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice
- Hancock County Homecare
- Waldo County Home Health Care Services
Sources
https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/hha-schools-maine/
http://www.homehealthaideonline.com/home/hha-training-in-maine/
https://www.healthcarepathway.com/home-health/maine-home-health-aide/