Home Health Aide Certification in Rhode Island
With the growing need for home health aides, now is a great time to look for a job in the home healthcare sector. While the requirements for home health aide (HHA) certification in Rhode Island are fairly minimal, it’s best to obtain a recognized qualification. Read on for detailed information on the specific HHA certification requirements in Rhode Island. You’ll also find the best options for home health aide training and find information on the job outlook for HHA workers and home care providers.
We’ve also listed what salary you can expect, and where to find the best home health aide jobs.
Home Health Aide Licensing Requirements in Rhode Island
HHA Training
HHA licensing requirements fall under the State of Rhode Island Department of Health.
If you aim to work as a home health aide or for home care providers, then you must possess Nursing Assistant (NA) credentials.
Although, many home nursing care providers will provide on-the-job training for new hires. This means that you can start working as a home health aide without any qualifications at all.
The downside is that this is the lowest-paid option for you. Which is why getting licensed as an HHA is the best option.
To become a licensed health aide, Rhode Island requires that you:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Be enrolled in an accredited training program.
- Have completed 100 hours of classroom training.
- Have completed 20 clinical training hours.
- Pass the Rhode Island HHA certification test.
- Provide a passport-style photo to accompany your application.
- Pass a background check.
Depending on where you are employed, the company may require that you are certified by the National Association for Homecare and Hospice (NAHC) as well.
Nurse Aide Certification
Before embarking on your Rhode Island caregiver training, most universities and community colleges require that you have completed your high school certificate or GED.
You then have the option of attending classes in person or online at an affiliated institution.
You can work while you are studying by either attending online lectures or nighttime classroom instruction
Home Healthcare Agency Qualification
Home nursing care providers are required by law to only employ accredited staff if they are being paid by Medicaid or Medicare.
Certified nursing assistants who provide skilled services are therefore in greater demand than unskilled workers.
You can visit your regional career center to review your options for nursing assistant training.
Additional Requirements to Work as a Health Aide
Another reason that you should preferably get accreditation as a home health aide in Rhode Island relates to federal requirements for institutions.
All nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care agencies, have to apply for a fingerprint background check through the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office before they employ you.
They discourage clients from hiring unqualified or unregistered home health aides, making it less likely that you’ll be hired for visiting nurse home care.
Unregistered HHAs will also not be covered under Medicare, Medicaid, or other community care programs.
Best Health Aide Certificate Education Programs
Home health agencies are more likely to employ you if you are already certified.
So, here’s a list of some of the most reputable options available in Rhode Island:
- Patient Care Program – East Providence Career and Tech
- Patient Care Program – International School for Health Careers
- Patient Care Program – Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College
The Job Outlook for Home Health Aides in Rhode Island
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the growing elderly population will require increased assistance and nursing home care in the coming years.
The figures show that the demand for companion assistance and nursing assistants will grow by an estimated 25% by 2031.
The particular problems experienced by the elderly and infirm ensure that nursing home services will be in great demand. With the advances in medical technology, more procedures will be conducted outside of hospitals.
This will also increase the demand for certified HHAs with positive effects on employment in this sector of the healthcare industry.
Over the next 10 years, it is expected that the demand for new personal care aide jobs will exceed more than 900,000.
What Can You Expect to Earn as a Home Health Aide?
There are a variety of factors that affect home health aide salaries. The most important being your level of education and the amount of experience you have.
If you work in an area like Providence RI, then you can expect there to be more jobs than in an area with a less elderly population.
The median pay for quality health aide staff is currently $29,430 per annum. This works out to around $14.15 per hour.
Where Home Health Aides Can Find Work
The opportunities for staff with CNA training are growing and whether you wish to work in Providence RI, East Providence RI, Warwick RI, or North Kingston, the sky’s the limit.
Employers such as health agencies, nursing homes, and assisted living communities providing daily living help to patients, are always on the lookout for staff with the right skills.
After passing your background check and basic qualification, businesses may provide additional or ongoing training.
This ensures that you can keep up with your patient’s changing daily living needs.
Sources
https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=204
https://www.phinational.org/advocacy/personal-care-aide-training-requirements/