Home Health Aide Certification in North Dakota

Home health aides (HHAs) provide valuable care and support to individuals who require assistance with daily living activities. In North Dakota, HHAs must meet licensing requirements and receive certification to work in this field. In this article, we will explore licensing requirements for becoming a home health aide in North Dakota. We will also unpack details surrounding certification, training programs, and best places to find work.

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Licensing Requirements in North Dakota

In North Dakota, there are no state-specific licensing requirements for home health aides. However, HHAs who work for home health agencies that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement must complete a few requirements that are mandated by federal law and which apply to all states.

Licensing requirements for HHAs in North Dakota:

  • Must hold a high school diploma or GED.
  • Complete a competency evaluation program, which includes supervised practical training
  • Pass a written exam.
  • Undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
  • Complete 12 hours of continuing education each year.

HHA Certification in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health’s Division of Health Facilities is responsible for overseeing and regulating home health aide certification in North Dakota.

To be eligible for home health aide certification, an individual must have completed at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training.

The training must cover topics such as:

  • Responsibilities of a home health aide
  • Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment
  • Addressing nutritional needs and challenges faced by ill and elderly populations
  • Providing personal care such as assisting with hygiene and daily activities
  • Understanding the aging process and related behaviors
  • Understanding emotional issues related to illnesses

Once an individual has completed the required training program, they must pass the HHA exam. This typically includes a written test and a practical skills evaluation.

Individuals will be granted their certification from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) upon successfully passing the home HHA exam and will be added to the nurse aide registry.

Best HHA Programs in North Dakota

There is a range of schools in North Dakota that offer training programs for home health aides and direct care workers. Candidates should always check for accreditation and that the curriculum covers all the material needed to become a home health aide before choosing a training program.

Below are some of the best HHA training programs in North Dakota:

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for home health aides will increase by 25 percent between 2021 and 2031, which is considerably higher than the growth rate projected for other occupations.

In addition, it is anticipated that approximately 711,700 positions for home health and personal care aides will become available each year, providing more options for certified home health aides to work in the industry as workers move to different careers or retire.

Salary Expectations

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for home health aides and personal care aides was $29,430 per year in 2021. This equates to $14.15 per hour.

Individuals in the lowest decile of earners within this profession earned an annual income of less than $22,290, while those in the highest decile earned over $37,010 per year.

Where To Find Work

While there are employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas, working in a big city such as Bismarck or Grand Forks may offer more job openings for a home health aide in North Dakota. However, there are also plenty of job opportunities in rural areas, particularly in regions with a significant elderly population.

One way to find home health aide job openings is to check online job boards, such as Indeed, Monster, or CareerBuilder.

Job seekers can also contact home health agencies directly to enquire about available positions.

Below is a list of facilities and home health agencies that hire HHAs in North Dakota:

  • Meritcare
  • Altru Health System
  • Q&R Clinic
  • Medcenter One
  • Magnet designation
  • Trinity Hospital

FAQs

What services do home health aides provide in North Dakota?

An individual who works as a home health aide in North Dakota will provide personal care services such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. They also assist with medication management, meal preparation, and mobility assistance.

Do home health aides in North Dakota need to be listed on the nurse aide registry to practice?

Yes. In North Dakota, home health aides are considered to be a subset of nurse aides. Therefore, a home health aide in North Dakota must meet the same requirements for certification as nurse aides.

Sources

https://www.healthcarepathway.com/home-health/north-dakota-home-health-aide/

https://medicalfieldcareers.com/hha-classes-north-dakota/

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm