Do you need a HHA to work as a Home Health Aide or is CNA certificate enough?

mvm2 · May 13, 2013

It is either our State of MI, or the company I work for, but I did not need any certificate to work as an aide. They hired me pretty much on the spot as soon as my background was cleared. They orintated me, and they showed me a few basic things like blood pressure, how to handle needles, Hoyer lift training ext. I think as an aide as well they just watched what clients they gave me. Easy clients that I would not be working in any kind of situation that I could not deal with. Of course I can not be sure, and I could be wrong but i'd say if you get your CNA certificate tht would be enough to be able to work in Home Care. I would not think that you would need both certificates. Just call a few home health companies and see what they say.

flod · May 13, 2013

Ok. Did you have a CNA certificate when applying for home health?

anie10 · May 13, 2013

In California, generally yes.

mvm2 · May 13, 2013

No I did not have my CNA yet. I was hired as a aide, and then I took my CNA classes, and now working at the same place as a CNA

Mewsin · May 14, 2013

We don't but our class is much longer and includes home care, ltc and hospital care.

flod · May 25, 2014

What kind of job experience did you have before being hired?

Missingyou, CNA · May 28, 2014

In Rhode Island, a HHA does NOT need to be certified. A nurse will just give you the basics of hand washing etc. HHA are paid less than a CNA.

HHA do not provide any patient care. No hands on. They provide companionship, meal prep and house keeping/errands.

MrsICURN14 · May 28, 2014

I'm technically working as a HHA right now at a pedi HHC agency until I take and pass boards, then they can give me RN cases.

I needed no certification or anything.

But, since I just graduated from nursing school they told me I can do anything I'm comfortable with as far as pt care. With my current pt I empty his foley and ostomy a few times a shift and count I&Os, etc. But they said I am not required to do any of that, and to only do it if I feel comfortable.

4cnas · Jun 8, 2014

It depends on the state in which you live. Federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36) requires that Medicare-certified home health agencies employ home health aides who are trained and evaluated through training programs approved by their state. Federal regulations require that these training programs consist of at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of continuing education per 12 month period.

Less than one-third of states require more than the minimum federal standard of 75 hours for Home Health Aide training, as summarized in the accompanying chart:

• 34 states and the District of Columbia do not require more than the minimum federal standard of 75 hours, a standard which has not been changed in 20 years.

• 16 states exceed the federal minimum for training hours, but only 6 of those meet the standard suggested by the IOM of 120 hours.

• 14 states require more than the minimum 16 hours of clinical training, with required clinical hours ranging up to 80 hours.

Of the 16 states exceeding the federal standard, 10 require Home Health Aides to be Certified Nurse Aides. An additional 4 states allow CNAs to become certified Home Health Aides with supplementary training.

Source phinational.org