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

Colorado sees strong demand for home health aides, mostly due to the aging population.

If you’re interested in entering this occupational field we have the info you need to get started.

Home Health Aide Education and Certification in Colorado

Colorado doesn’t have state-wide regulations when it comes to home health aides, so there’s no need for a license.

Those employing home health sides need to be licensed.

It is however recommended that those interested in getting hired in this field, do get certified instead.

The certification increases the chances of finding employment and is earned after graduating from a training program that adheres to the federal standards.

The federal training standard is:

• 75 total hours of training
• At least 16 hours of clinical work

The following institutions offer accredited training programs.

Enrolling in the training programs offered by these schools may be bound to some requirements, such as:

• A minimum age, usually 18, but, 16-year-olds candidates may be also accepted
• A high school diploma or GED
• A clean criminal record
• Passing certain health tests
• Passing English language test

These requirements may also apply when searching for a job.

Some of the courses may be made available only to those who already have been employed as home health aides, and as such, the training is offered through the employer, for free.

The minimum duration of these programs is 4 weeks, though generally, they are longer than this.

When choosing your training program, make sure the classes are available at hours that are convenient for you.

Additionally, pay attention to the course fee, as the price will differ from school to school.

The training program you choose must be accredited and it ends with a skills test.

The test costs $140 and has 50 questions.

Once the certification is earned, you’ll need to renew it every year, after completing 12 hours of continuing education.

Duties of a Home Health Aide

Generally, the duties are determined by the condition or specific needs of the patient, in many cases called a client.

They include:

• Medicine administration
• Feeding
• Dressing up
• Dressing wounds
• Cleaning dentures

All these tasks, and others, are taught in the training program.

Getting Hired and Salaries in Colorado

Those seeking employment in Colorado as home health aides can first apply at the following agencies:

• Mercy Home Health in Durango
• Parkview Homecare in Pueblo
• Team Select Home Care of Colorado in Aurora
• Home Care Assistance (Centennial, El Paso County, and Jefferson County locations)
• Visiting Angels (Colorado Springs and Grand Junction locations)
• Comfort Keepers (Durango location)
• All the Comfort of Home, Inc.

The annual income of a home health aide will depend on a series of factors.

The average salary of these personnel is generally higher in Boulder, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Arvada, and Westminster.

Regional Salary in Colorado

Other Info

It is not uncommon to have to work weekends of night shifts as a home health aide.

Additionally, you may be working in a public or a private home setting, with the majority of the clients being elderly.

Sometimes, the clients are children or adults with various disabilities or recovering from surgeries or accidents.

This is a pretty physical occupation, hence having quite a lot of stamina is mandatory.

It is pretty common to have to lift at least 50 pounds and carry the weight over short distances.

Home health aides are often supervised by certified nurses or therapists who will pay visits to the workplace of the aide, to ensure proper care is given according to the plan.

HHA Schools by State