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What is a Home Health Aide?Home Health Aides work in patients' homes and assist with hygene, grooming, meals etc during intermittent illnesses.
Home Health Aides are projected to be one of the top 10 fastest growing positions in the U.S. over the next decade. Exactly what is a home health aide?
A home health aide (HHA or CHHA)is a specially trained certified nursing assistant (CNA) who works in the homes of patients. DutiesThese aides provide personal care assistance to patients in their homes. The duties include but are not limited to:
Intermittent Care:This care is most often provided in an intermittent visit time frame of about 30-60 minutes. If time allows, the HHA can also change bed linens, prepare a meal, start a load of laundry, and/or tidy the patient's room. The HHA typically makes 1-3 visits per week as prescribed by the physician and according to the home health agency's plan of care for the patient. A home health RN or therapist (PT, OT or ST)supervises the HHA's care and adjusts the plan of care to meet the needs of the patient in accordance with the MD's orders. In most cases, HHA visits are for a short term basis only and only for as long as there is a need for a skilled nurse or therapist to provide care as well, and the patient remains homebound. These intermittent visits are usually reimbursed by Medicare or private insurance for a spell of illness when all criteria are met. Private Duty Care:Home Health Aide care can also be provided on an hourly basis for private (out of pocket) pay patients. However, private duty cases usually use CNAs without the additional HHA training as a more cost effective alternative for the private pay patient. EducationA high school diploma or GED is usually required for CNA training. Vocational schools, adult education programs and some community colleges offer CNA training. HHA/CHHA training is an additional seventy five hours (minimum set by the Federal Govt. for Medicare reimbursement) of training and requires separate certification testing and periodic recertification with continuing education requirements. The CNA training varies by program and state regulations, but is usually about 300 hours of classroom and clinical training. Health care jobs will dominate the fastest growing professions over the next decade.
The copyright of the article What is a Home Health Aide? in Health Field is owned by Kathy Quan . Permission to republish What is a Home Health Aide? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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