How long does it take to go from CNA to CHHA?

Serendipity, PCT · Jul 25, 2009

The agency I work for does an all day In-Service for CNA's to transition into Home-Health.

Usually HHA courses are about a month, though. My agency just doesn't require CNA's to take an extended course like that.

Definingmyfuture · Jul 25, 2009

Hi,

I know that a community college near me offers a hospice home health aide certification because I was looking into it. It cost around $150 and last around 6 weeks(a couple days or nights a week) I think. I would check into a local community college if I were you, look at their continuing education section.

jwannab · Jul 25, 2009

Are both of you in California? I am, particularly in Los Angeles County. I like the idea of the one day agency thing. I plan to check up on this on Monday. Do you know if you need to have experience before you can do Home Health?

Definingmyfuture · Jul 25, 2009

I'm in NC.

CNANessa · Aug 8, 2009

I was a CNA when I signed up with my Home Health Agency. All they made me do was take a HHA assesment test (written & clinical). I passed, but was informed that anyone who didn't would lose their job. Not sure if that means I am certified as an HHA or not. But I don't understand why if you're a CNA you need to pass an HHA test?! It was almost exactly like my CNA test, except more brief and a lot easier!

jwannab · Aug 10, 2009

Well, here we are 1 day from the start of this class and I already have butterflies! I am so nervous right now. I'd like to say thank you to all that responded. I guess I will ask the instructor tomorrow and see if she could direct me in the right direction. Thank you all again, and God bless.

caliotter3 · Aug 10, 2009

Two of my friends (in CA) took a one week class to get their HHA certificates. I know of a couple of agencies that don't make their CNAs get HHA certificates to do homecare. I think you have to just look around to find one of these classes. I've seen it listed in the extended education (community) listings at community colleges. Good luck.

FLNA · Aug 14, 2009

I am in FLorida so it may be different from your state. I am taking my CNA exam in 3 weeks, although I interviewed with A Private Duty Nursing Agency this month and just got hired. They did not require I have my CNA first. They tested me on several things: HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, Elder Care/Abuse, Assistance with self administered medication, patients rights and responsibilities,etc., and once I took their tests and passed (I had to score 100 or they wouldn't hire me), they gave me my HHA certificate. I also had to be CPR/AED certified for the heathcare provider and know BLS before getting hired. This is a must for any HHA or CNA, you must get your CPR for the healthcare provider before any one will hire you. The local red cross offers this. So to answer your question, I was able to get my HHA certificate with a Private Duty Agency, once I passed their tests and got my CPR card without having any official CNA training. Now this may be Agency specific, because they knew I had been an Alzheimers caregiver for 4 years and had a lot of experience with the elderly. Now, once I get my CNA, they will increase my pay, but starting pay going this route is not great. I am starting at $10 hr. In a few weeks, provided I pass the state exam and get my CNA, I should be able to get a few more dollars an hour. The down side to Private Duty is NO BENEFITS. The upside, hours are M-F, and no later than 5:00 PM. The same goes for the HHA agencies in my county. Good hours, with great benefits and about $14- $20 hourly. The home health aid I had for my grams got $14 hourly, great benefits, only worked weekdays 9-5, and has about 6 clients a day. My grams HHA/CNA was with Hospice and she would come Mon, Wed, Fri, and give grams a bed bath, foot care, and wash her hair once a week. On occassion if I asked she would soak grams hands and clean her nails, but here in Fl, the HHA's/CNA's are NOT allowed to clip the clients/patients nails. In Florida a CNA can work as an HHA, but an HHA can NOT work as a CNA. CNA's are registered and regulated with the FLorida BON. HHA's are not. They are only trained by the agency that hires them and the agency is regulated and licensed the Agency for Healhcare Administration. Check the laws in Ca. They might be similiar to Florida. Good Luck

Busia · Aug 15, 2009

In MN, you have to take an online class for HHA either after or during your CNA class. Then after you pass your CNA state skills and written, you can take the HHA written. The HHA course is self-guided, I think they give you a month to complete it, but if you had nothing else to do, you could finish it in a week and a half, or so I've heard. There are also tons of places that hire for home health with NO certifications at all, they don't even require a CNA. That's scary!