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

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!

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.

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

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.

Regional Salary in Kansas

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.

HHA Schools by State