How to Become a Home Health Aide in Arizona (Requirements & Schools)

A home health aide’s job is to help patients, usually called clients, to complete basic daily tasks for a decent quality of life.

These professionals are generally hired by agencies, and work in either private or public home settings.

When they go to the client’s house their help prevents the patient from going to a nursing home.

Requirements and Job Duties in Arizona

In Arizona, the main requirement to become a home health aide is to undergo training at federal standards, as seen below.

The ideal candidate is or also has:

• Dependable
• Patient
• Respectful
• Good at communicating
• Physical stamina
• Basic medical knowledge
• Accurate and detail-oriented

These aides, and especially the agencies hiring them, are overseen by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Their duties will be different based on the person who they need to care for, so a good degree of adaptability is preferred.

Generally, the duties are as follows:

• Checking vital signs
• Administering medicine
• Dressing wounds
• Massaging
• Moving the patient from one place to another
• Planning appointments
• Groceries shopping
• Light housekeeping

Home Health Aide Education

The aides don’t need previous training or certification.

The training can be offered at high schools, colleges, or adult schools:

• At least 18 years of age
• Good grasp of spoken and written English
• A government-issued photo ID
• Allowed to legally work in the United States
• Proof of being physically and mentally capable
• Clear criminal background
• Pass a tuberculosis test

The agencies will ensure the staff will receive the appropriate training at one of the approved programs offered by these schools.

You should keep in mind that some of these schools have specific enrolling requirements, such as age limits or already being employed by an agency.

The minimum training requirements are:

• 75 hours relating to home health
• 16 hours of supervised practical training
• Passing a skills test

Some of the programs last for as little as 4 weeks and some of them are even free of charge, as they’re provided by the hiring agencies.

Passing the skills test means receiving certification which needs to be renewed every year.

This is done by undergoing a further 12 hours of continuing education.

Candidates will learn about or how to:

• Give various types of baths
• Assist clients with mobility issues
• Keep the client’s environment safe and healthy
• Personal care
• Fluids and nutrition
• Emergency situations

Salary and Career Outlook

The job prospects in this healthcare field are expected to see a growth of 36% between 2018 and 2028.

How much you’ll learn will depend on a series of factors, including job setting, duties, experience, and certification.

In the cities of Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria, the salaries are higher.

Regional Salary in Arizona

The best employers in Arizona are:

• PrimeCare Home Solutions
• Right at Home
• ABRiO Care
• BrightStar Care
• Catalina In-Home Services
• Home Assist Health

These agencies received various awards as well, imposing them as leaders when it comes to employment and the level of services offered.

Some of these agencies may serve several areas since they may have offices in more than one city.

Other Information

Home health aides are supervised by registered nurses or therapists, and they are different from personal care aides.

During employment, it is possible to pursue further education as needed by the job with a new client, or for career advancement prospects.

Usually, for this purpose, higher education related to the field is needed.

HHA Schools by State