Home Health Aide Certification in Pennsylvania

Pursuing a career as a home health aide (HHA) requires you to meet various training program requirements as laid down in the federal HHA standards. We cover what the specific licensing requirements are and where you can find the best HHA certification in Pennsylvania. We’ll also provide you with insight into job opportunities in the future and what salary you can expect to earn.

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There are three paths you can take to become a home health aide in Pennsylvania. Some of which require a high school diploma or GED.

Home Health Aide Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Home Health Aide Training

You must follow Pennsylvania HHA training and competency evaluation programs to qualify to provide professional home health aide services. You can also attend a State-approved nurse aide training program at a home health care agency.

You must complete a set number of hours of practical training and classroom education. After passing an exam and competency test, you are eligible for a certificate.

To become a certified home health aide:

  • You must be 18 years or older.
  • Completed a minimum of 75 hours in the classroom as well as practical training overseen by a qualified trainer.
  • The course must include at least 16 hours of clinical instruction.
  • Pass a competency examination whose requirements meet both state and federal standards.
  • Obtain a home health aide certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
  • Undergo a physical exam that includes tuberculosis (TB) screening.
  • Provide proof that your immunization record is up to date.

You are required to enroll in an ongoing, in-service education program to work as a home health aide in Pennsylvania. It must include at least 12 hours of continuing education to ensure that you maintain your certification.

Nurse Aide Certification

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has various programs available which allow you to practice as a home health aide.

Home Healthcare Agency Qualification

Many healthcare agencies have their own, state-approved training program sponsored in-house, which you can take to qualify as a health aide. Once you have passed the course, the agency will then issue you with a certificate.

While this is the quickest way for you to become a direct care worker, if you leave and join another agency, you will have to take their course. Your best option is to complete home health aide training at an accredited educational institution.

Additional Requirements to Work as a Health Aide

To ensure that you can communicate effectively with both patients and staff, direct care workers must be proficient in both written and spoken English.

You need to obtain a criminal background check provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. You also need child abuse clearances from the Department of Human Services.

Best Health Aide Certificate Education Programs

By attending a reputable HHA training program, you will be equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to succeed as a home health aide.

When looking for a suitable course, it is important that you investigate and compare each of the programs. This is to make sure that they meet your budget and career goals.

There are a variety of institutions that provide training for home health aides in Pennsylvania.

Here’s a list of some of the most reputable options available:

Community College of Philadelphia

In as little as 14 weeks, you can become a Nurse Aide which will allow you to work at a home health agency. The certification also counts towards an associate degree in health care studies.

Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology

They offer certification programs for direct care workers such as nurse aides and in practical nursing.

The Job Outlook for Home Health Aides

With a growing elderly population, the career outlook for home health aides is set to increase over the next few years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Not only are there going to be more elderly people to look after but there will also be more medical procedures performed outside of hospitals. With these advances in technology, more patients will require a fully qualified HHA professional rather than recuperating in hospital facilities.

Job growth is therefore expected to increase by 25% between 2021 to 2031 which is above the average of other occupations. The statistics indicate that the number of new personal care aide jobs could exceed 900,000 over the next 10 years.

What Can You Expect to Earn as a Home Health Aide?

Several factors drive salaries, including your level of education, experience, and where you are located.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated the median pay for health aide workers as $29,430 per year which equates to $14.15 per hour. That means that 50% of home health aides earned more than this amount and 50% earned less.

Where to Find Work as a Home Health Aide

There are numerous opportunities to become a home health aide and find suitable work. Home health agencies hire staff to look after their clients as do hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Nursing homes and senior assisted living facilities also require qualified staff.

While a basic qualification will get you in the door, many facilities require additional or ongoing training to keep up with their client’s needs.

Sources

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

https://learningcenter.pahomecare.org/

https://ccp.edu/node/5867

https://www.httiphila.org/

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/facilities/Nurse%20Aide/Pages/Nurse%20Aide.aspx

https://homehealthaideguide.com/hha-training/states/pennsylvania-hha/

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/42/484.80