Considering Home Health as a CNA

[ProudStudent]

Hello all!

I'm currently finishing my first semester of nursing school, expecting to graduate and become a RN in a few more semesters. I am also currently a CNA in southwest FL. I have never worked in home health care, but I am considering it heavily at this time. I was hoping to get some insight from fellow students (with children/spouse at home), regarding the feasibility of balancing schedules between home health clients, full time classes and family. My family is in need of extra financial support and I would love to be able to gain some hands on experience during NS. I know I should contact an agency with all of my questions, which I will do when I decide the field will work for me and my family. But...if anyone could give me a little insight as to what they are already experiencing, I would greatly appreciate it.

If I found an agency to work for, is it really THAT easy to set your own schedule?

I'm only hoping for around $200 a week in salary. How easy is that to do?

Do home health agencies typically give you a 1099 to file for tax purposes?

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Depends on the agency. I work with a HH/PDN agency (as a nurse). First, in some states CNA's must take a CHHA (certified home health aide) conversion course in order to work in home care. (The agency picks up the course fees if you work for them. The course covers issues that aren't seen in a LTC or hospital environment such as boundaries, supervision, paperwork and reporting requirements).

Most CHHA's work directly for the agency with an hourly pay and therefore are not a 1099 employee but a W-2 employee as you are a direct employee. In fact most agencies are supposed to pay W2/direct not independent contractor. CNA's/CHHA's require supervision of an RN and thus usually cannot be independent contractors.

You give your availability, but there are no guarantee of hours. If your availability meets the needs of the agency you will have more work than someone who has limited availability. For example if you can only work 7a-12noon M-F and the agency needs evening and weekend hours you won't be scheduled for many hours. Most CHHA home health work is shift work whether 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 hour shifts not intermittent visits like skilled nursing or therapies (like PT/OT/SLP).

Good luck.

[ProudStudent]

Thanks so much for the information. It makes sense that a CNA wouldn't be considered as an independent contractor, now that you mention it. I do have a Home Health Aide certificate as well, so I'll be sure to provide that to any potential employers. Again, thanks a lot!