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Unlike many other states, in Kentucky, those who want to become home health aides, need to train the same way as registered nurses.
The position of a home health aide is generally seen as an entry-level one in the healthcare industry.
Read this guide to learn what you need to do, to become a home health aide in Kentucky!
Article Table of Contents
Ideal Candidate in Kentucky
We already established training is needed by future home health aides.
There are other aspects to keep in mind, mostly related to the personality of the candidate.
For instance, most employers seek individuals who are:
- Compassionate
- Respectful
- Physically strong
- Good at communicating
- Reliable
- Good at following instructions
- Detail-oriented
Being good with animals or speaking foreign languages can be a plus as some clients might have pets or not speak English properly.
Training and Certification of a Home Health Aide
In Kentucky, if you want to work for Medicare or Medicaid facilities need to train according to the federal standards.
This means:
- 75 hours of classroom education
- 16 hours of clinical training
Generally, these programs are made available through certified agencies.
Once the program is completed, you’ll need to pass an examination and then you’ll obtain a certificate as well.
Those who want to work for non-Medicare or Medicaid facilities don’t need to follow these strict training rules.
They need to undergo a minimum of 16 hours of training.
The following schools have accredited training programs for future home health aides.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashland Community and Technical College | 1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101 |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College | 513 Third Street Paintsville, KY 41240 |
| Bluegrass Community College | 164 Opportunity Way Lexington, KY 40511 |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College | 620 College Street Road Elizabethtown, KY 42701 |
| Henderson Community College | 2660 South Green Street Henderson, KY 42420 |
| Hopkinsville Community College | North Drive P.O. Box 2100 Hopkinsville, KY 42240 |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | 109 East Broadway Louisville, KY 40202 |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | 319 Webster Avenue Cynthiana, KY 41031 |
| Somerset Community College Clenton Center | 1001 West Highway 90 Route 4 Box 428 Albany, KY 42602 |
| Somerset Community College | 808 Monticello Street Somerset, KY 42501 |
| Somerset Community College Laurel Campus South | 100 University Drive London, KY 407444 |
| South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College | 129 State Avenue Glasgow, KY 42141 |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College – Bowling Green | 1845 Loop Drive Bowling Green, KY 42101 |
| Spencerian College | 4627 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 402216 |
| West Kentucky Community And Technical College | 4810 Alben Barkley Drive Paducah, KY 42001 |
Some of the programs last for as little as 7 weeks though others last up to 24 weeks.
If you want more chances of building a career, which is possible in this field, consider enrolling in an Associates degree program that lasts for 2 years.
Each school has minimum enrolling requirements, with some asking just for a high school diploma or GED.
Other schools, however, require:
- Passing a drug test
- Passing a tuberculosis skin test
- Passing an English exam
- Passing a math exam
- Undergoing a physical exam
- Having a clean criminal record
In some cases, you’ll have to be at least 18 years old to enroll.
Employment and Salary Information for Kentucky’s Home Health Aides
Most of the requirements to be accepted into training programs are also valid when applying for jobs.
If you want to work for the best agencies in the state, check these ones out first:
- BrightStar Care – Northern Kentucky
- Helping Hands NKY
- Senior Helpers – Lexington
Besides these agencies, nursing homes and hospitals are also in need of home health aides.
The schedule, duties, responsibilities, and overall work environment will vary based on the employer.
Additionally, how much you’ll earn in this position will also vary accordingly to the above aspects.
Seeking a job in cities like Louisville, Covington, or Florence, can bring you a generally higher paycheck as well.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisville | $24,011 |
| Lexington | $23,978 |
| Bowling Green | $22,952 |
| Owensboro | $23,913 |
| Covington | $24,899 |
| Richmond | $23,735 |
| Georgetown | $23,964 |
| Florence | $24,889 |
| Hopkinsville | $22,916 |
| Nicholasville | $23,937 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 1,270 | $33,930 | $16.31 | $44,430 | $23,160 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 770 | $33,970 | $16.33 | $49,410 | $22,570 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 2,810 | $33,640 | $16.17 | $47,080 | $24,430 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 9,100 | $33,960 | $16.33 | $44,180 | $26,770 |
| Owensboro, KY | 860 | $33,990 | $16.34 | $44,150 | $24,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Extra Information
These professionals don’t only offer their services to the elderly, but also to younger people and children suffering from various illnesses or disabilities.
The positions may be temporary while the person recovers from accidents or surgeries, while other positions may be long term or permanent for those suffering from chronic illnesses.
Home health aides that work in the client’s home have to report to a superior, usually a registered nurse or therapist.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State