by 
An aging population increases the demand for healthcare professionals in a variety of settings.
This means an increased demand for home health aides as well, though these professionals also help the ill or the disabled in their daily lives.
Read on if you want to become a home health aide in Connecticut!
Article Table of Contents
Home Health Aide Job Requirements and Duties
There are some basic job requirements and then there are some specific ones, related to the ability to complete the duties based on the needs of each patient or client.
The basic requirements for employment in this field in Connecticut are:
- Being compassionate
- Detail-oriented
- Having stamina
- Having a clear criminal background
- Being healthy
- Being allowed to work in the USA
- Having a good grasp of English
- Having good communication skills
- Having a high school diploma or GED
The duties of a home health aide may include:
- Taking vital signs
- Administering medicine
- Grocery shopping
- Preparing meals
- Operation of various equipment
Furthermore, training and certification are also often required.
This is especially true when it comes to working for certain agencies, for completing certain duties, or for career advancements.
Certain medical knowledge is also needed for most positions.
Training as a Home Health Aide in Connecticut
While there’s no requirement to obtain a license as a home health aide in Connecticut, you still need to get minimal training in this field.
The minimum training needed is the standard federal requirement, of:
- 75 classroom hours
- 16 clinical hours
The training programs need to be accredited, in order to be considered valid.
The programs are quite short in duration, with some lasting up to 4 weeks.
As a future trainee, the cost shouldn’t worry you for many agencies offer free training, since they need personnel.
Graduates of these programs need to pass a skill test to obtain their certification.
The certification has to be renewed on a yearly basis, after 12 hours of continuing education have been completed.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Academy of Medical Training | 521 Wolcott Street Waterbury, CT 06705 |
| Bullard-Havens Technical High School | 500 Palisade Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06610 |
| Capital Community College | 950 Main Street Hartford, CT 06103 |
| Eli Whitney Technical High School | 71 Jones Road Hamden, CT 06514 |
| Enfield Adult Education Nurse Aide Training Program | Enrico Fermi High School, 124 North Maple St., Enfield, CT 06082 |
| Middlesex Community College | 100 Training Hill Road Middleton, CT 06457 |
| New Haven Adult Education | 580 Ella T. Grasso Blvd New Haven, CT 06519 |
| Quinebaug Valley Community Technical College Danielson | 742 Upper Maple St Danielson, CT 06239 |
| Quinebaug Valley Community Technical College Willimantic | 729 Main Street Willimantic, CT 06226 |
| The American Red Cross Connecticut | 1057 Broad St 3rd Floor Bridgeport, CT 06604 |
| The American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter | 703 Whitney Ave New Haven, CT 06511 |
| The American Red Cross Connecticut | Grand Professional Building, 182 Grand St. STE:317 Waterbury, CT 06702 |
| The American Red Cross Connecticut | 205 Burnside Avenue STE: 202 East Hartford, CT 06108 |
| Training Direct | 3885 Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06606 |
| Valley Medical Institute | 35 Nutmeg Drive Trumbull, CT 06611 |
| Vernon Regional Adult Basic Education Vernon | 30 Park Street Vernon, CT 06066 |
| Wallingford Adult Education Center CNA Class Wallingford | 37 Hall Avenue Wallingford, CT 06492 |
| YWCA of New Britain, Connecticut | 22 Glen Street New Britain, CT 06051 |
These schools usually have specific enrollment requirements, which may include:
- Age restrictions
- Being already employed
- The employment requirements mentioned above
Employment and Salary Information in Connecticut
Home health aides will work in a variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- The client’s own home
To work in private or public homes, you need to apply to agencies and make sure you have a certification.
Also, the agency employing you need to be licensed.
These work settings will influence how much you’ll earn, your shifts, and the pace of your work.
The salaries are generally higher in hospitals, as well as in larger cities such as Stamford, Norwalk, or Greenwich.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $28,695 |
| New Haven | $27,897 |
| Hartford | $27,471 |
| Stamford | $29,307 |
| Waterbury | $27,406 |
| Norwalk | $29,307 |
| Danbury | $28,224 |
| New Britain | $27,457 |
| West Hartford | $27,471 |
| Greenwich | $29,307 |
Regional Salary in Connecticut
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 9,290 | $39,990 | $19.23 | $47,570 | $31,290 |
| Danbury, CT | 1,390 | $36,670 | $17.63 | $42,410 | $30,620 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 15,970 | $37,050 | $17.81 | $39,290 | $30,230 |
| New Haven, CT | 7,340 | $36,780 | $17.68 | $42,170 | $30,580 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 2,470 | $36,820 | $17.7 | $39,690 | $30,690 |
| Waterbury, CT | 2,800 | $37,720 | $18.13 | $45,710 | $30,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Extra Information
Depending on where you find employment, your working hours or shifts will be different.
Additionally, depending on the condition of the client and their specific need, you might have to work nights and weekends as well.
In some cases, living with the client might also be needed.
As a home health aide, you’ll work under the supervision of a certified nurse or a therapist.
Your supervisor will pay visits to your workplace, especially when you work in the private house of a client.
The visits are meant to ensure the client receives the help needed and according to the plan.
The duties of the home health aide are decided by the supervisor based on the plan.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State