In most states, home health aides are considered entry-level positions in the healthcare industry, and individuals need minimal training.
The situation is different in Kansas, so if you want to work in this field, read on as to learn what you need to do, to get you started!
Article Table of Contents
Training and Certification
To become a home health aide in Kansas, you’ll first need to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, and then to undergo further training.
This is because in many cases, these aides spend a lot of time with the patient in their home, with nobody else to help in the case of an emergency.
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There are a few ways in which you can train as a home health aide, but you’ll only become one after passing the Kansas Home Health Aide exam.
This state exam must be taken also by individuals who became home health aides in other states.
In Kansas, the minimum training for these professionals is:
- 110 hours in a classroom setting
- 45 hours of clinical hours
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Allen County Community College | 1801 N Cottonwood Iola KS 66749 |
Barton County Community College | 245 NE 30th Road Great Bend KS 67530 |
Butler Community College | 901 S Haverhill Rd El Dorado KS 67042-3280 |
Cowley County Community College | 125 S 2nd St Arkansas City KS 67005 |
Coffeyville Community College | 400 W 11th St Coffeyville KS 67337-5064 |
Flint Hills Technical College | 3301 W 18th St Emporia KS 66801-5957 |
Fort Scott Community College | 2108 S Horton Fort Scott KS 66701 |
Highland Community College | 606 W Main Highland KS 66035-4165 |
Independence Community College | 1057 West College Avenue Independence KS 67301-0708 |
Johnson County Community College | 12345 College Blvd Overland Park KS 66210-1299 |
Neosho County Community College | 800 W 14th St Chanute KS 66720 |
Pratt Community College | 348 NE SR 61 Pratt KS 67124 |
Salina Area Technical College | 2562 Centennial Road Salina KS 67401 |
Washburn Institute of Technology | 5724 SW Huntoon Topeka KS 66604-2117 |
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | 4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100 Wichita KS 67226 |
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Some of the classes available are offered by the agencies hiring home health aides.
Before enrolling, you might need to prove your skills when it comes to reading and speaking English.
The tasks and duties will be completed differently based on the work environment.
It’s common to learn what the best way to complete them is, based on the setting and needs of the client.
The courses for a nursing assistant will generally cover aspects such as:
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Providing safety and privacy while assisting with bathing and bathroom needs
- Turning someone in bed
- Transferring a person from bed to wheelchair
- The Heimlich maneuver
Once you’re ready to become a home health aide, you’ll also be required to train more.
In this new program you’ll learn:
- Nutrition and meal preparation
- Observing medication
- Observation, reporting, and documentation
- Care of mother and baby
- Adapting personal care to the home environment
This extra training will last for at least 20 hours, and upon its completion, you’ll have to pass another test.
Employment and Salary Information
In Kansas, like in the rest of the country, there are a variety of places hiring home health aides:
- Nursing homes
- Private homes of the clients, through an agency
- Hospitals
Depending on these work settings, employer, experience, and other factors, your income, schedule, and duties, will vary.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Wichita | $24,520 |
Overland Park | $24,920 |
Kansas City | $24,996 |
Olathe | $24,852 |
Topeka | $23,804 |
Lawrence | $24,188 |
Shawnee | $24,920 |
Manhattan | $23,550 |
Lenexa | $24,920 |
Salina | $24,265 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawrence, KS | 550 | $28,510 | $13.71 | $35,460 | $24,280 |
Manhattan, KS | 450 | $28,750 | $13.82 | $35,130 | $25,190 |
Topeka, KS | 4,160 | $28,640 | $13.77 | $33,030 | $22,290 |
Wichita, KS | 5,760 | $27,200 | $13.08 | $37,750 | $18,440 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
It’s possible that some of the clients don’t speak English, so individuals who speak a second language are highly welcomed.
Other Details
Home health aides do have supervisors, but the supervision is limited.
As a home health aide, you’ll be expected to:
- Ensure the personal care of the client
- Offer mobility-related assistance,
- Prepare meals
It’s quite common for home health aides to complete other types of tasks.
It’s recommended for these professionals to consult with the Home and Community-Based Services to ensure the tasks they complete are acceptable based on the employment circumstance.
For instance, when it comes to administering medication, the aide can loosen the lid and should make sure the medicine is properly stored.
The aide should report to their supervisor whether the client understands or not why they need to take their medication, for instance.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide