Becoming a certified home health aide requires meeting education, training, and certification standards, as well as possessing specific soft skills. Home health aides assist with daily tasks, including personal care and household chores. Training is typically on-the-job, and certification requirements vary. Candidates must also possess compassion, friendliness, and honesty, and may need to pass a background check and drug test.
Caring and compassionate individuals can enjoy a career as a certified home health aide. To become a certified home health aide, qualifications related to education, training and certification standards must be met. Candidates must also demonstrate a desire to help others and have specific soft skills to meet the job’s needs.
Home health aides help patients with daily tasks. This includes helping to bathe and dress people who need assistance due to illness or injury. Other tasks that a home health aide may perform include those related to helping to keep a patient’s living environment clean. Examples of these tasks are laundry, completing light housework, and changing bedding. Home health aides can also do some grocery shopping and prepare meals for clients.
The minimum education requirements to become a certified home health aide must be met. This includes earning a high school diploma or equivalent for consideration for employment with a wide range of employers. Employers may hire a candidate who demonstrates a willingness to learn and an aptitude for math even if they don’t have a high school diploma, but a diploma is preferred by most employers.
Training usually takes place on the job for those who want to become a certified home health aide. New employees are often paired with experienced staff, including someone already certified as a home health aide or registered nurse, to gain valuable experience and training. This will include training in maintaining sanitary standards and taking various vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. Training will also focus on how to transfer patients in and out of bed safely.
Certification standards vary by location. A minimum number of hours related to on-the-job training is usually also required, usually provided by the employer. Once a candidate has gained the necessary experience, those looking to become a home health aide can apply for certification after passing the required competency exams. In some areas, the competency exams may consist of a written exam, while in others the exam will consist of a written and a practical exam.
Someone who wants to become a certified home health aide must also possess specific personality traits and skills. Home health aides work with a wide variety of people in varied settings. They must be comfortable interacting with people in hospitals, assisted living facilities and at home. Individuals who want to enter the profession must also be friendly, compassionate and honest. Home health aides may also have to pass a background check and drug test.
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