How to Become a Home Health Aide in California
Are you a compassionate, caring individual who enjoys helping others?
If so, then a career as a California home health aide may be the right choice for you.
These workers help patients in their own homes by performing simple daily activities like bathing and grooming.
They also can assist people recovering from illness and injury.
Education & Training
Only those who receive the proper training and education may work as home health aides in the state of California. Interested individuals should look into programs at California trade schools and vocational colleges. Here, students can get the hands-on training they need from qualified instructors on how to be a home health aide.
Required Coursework
During your studies, you may cover topics such as:
- Purpose and Goals of Home Health Care
- Communication Techniques
- Roles and Responsibilities of a Home Health Aide
- Organization and Time Management Techniques
- Personal Care Services
- Nutrition
- Cleaning and Care Tasks in the Home
Mandated Training Hours
The state also has a certain number of mandated hours that a person must complete before their training is finished. In California, a person must complete 120 hours as set by the state. Of the 120 hours, the time will be broken down as follows:
- 70 hours for covering personal care services
- 20 hours of home cleaning and care training (safety and laundry)
- 16 hours of nutrition training
- 10 hours of cleaning training (home safety of food and dish storage spaces)
Earning a Certification
Passing a 120-hour home health aide training program and earning a certification is mandatory in the state of California. By earning a certification, you are showing the state that you have gained all the necessary training and experience required to be a successful, practicing home health aide.
Attending a Home Health Aide Program
If you’re interested in working as a home health aide in CA, then attending a state-approved program is mandatory.
How Much Does It Cost?
Looking into the cost of a California home health aide training program? The amount can depend on which in-state program you attend, as well as if you’re able to qualify for financial aid. However, some CA HHA programs can cost as little as $700, while others may require you to pay more than 1k.
How Long Does It Take?
Home health aide training can vary in length depending on the program you choose. While 120 hours are mandatory to work in California, programs can differ in the time it takes to complete. Some accelerated programs may allow you to finish in as little as a few months, while other programs can take over one year.
CNAs who have their degree may take classes to become home health aides, though the state only requires that they do an additional 40 hours of training.
California Home Health Aide Requirements
The requirements to earn a certification in California are:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Complete a 120-hour training program approved by the California Department of Public Health
- Get a criminal record clearance
Required Forms and Documents
Individuals must complete a CDPH 283D form when enrolling in a training program as well as a BCIA 8016 form. Once a person has completed training, they will need to submit a Home Health Aide Certification List, also known as a CDPH 183.
Home Health Aide Salaries in CA
With the right training and education, you can earn a good living working as a home health aide. The average home health aide salary in California is $31,338. However, this number can change depending on variables such as region, experience, and the company you work for.
A few potential salaries you may be able to earn in CA are:
- Burbank $31,498
- Fresno $28,112
- Long Beach $31,282
- Anaheim $31,352
- Los Angeles $31,498
Job Description
Home health aides play an important role in the healthcare industry. These workers help a person to live independently at home by assisting with typical daily responsibilities. They can also assist individuals who need help recovering from an illness or help patients who are dealing with physical injuries or disabilities.
What Do They Do?
During their shift, home health aides may need to complete the following tasks.
- Help clients with daily personal tasks like bathing and dressing
- Doing laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming
- Organizing a client’s schedule and/or planning appointments
- Helping to arrange transportation to physician’s offices
- Shopping for groceries for client
- Cooking and preparing meals based on the client’s dietary needs
- Help with keeping clients engaged within their community
Career Outlook
Home health aide jobs in California should continue to grow over the next several years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, home health aide jobs are expected to increase by 25% from 2021-2031. This will likely mean an additional 711,000 per year, resulting in thousands of jobs for California residents.
These jobs will continue to open up for a variety of different reasons. A big factor in this increase in jobs will be older workers retiring from the field. Additionally, some current workers will find jobs in other fields. An aging population, specifically the baby boomer generation, will need more home health care, leading to the need for more workers in these roles.