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There are many ways in which you can start a medical career in Louisiana.
One of them is by training to become a home health aide.
You can find out more info on how to start a career in the field in the article below.
Article Table of Contents
Ideal Candidate in Louisiana
There are some skills that the ideal candidate has, which include:
- A driver’s license
- Physical ability to lift a person and stand on their feet for a prolonged period
- Has compassion and communicating skills
In addition, you can get hired faster if you:
- Know how to prepare meals
- Are fluent in another language
- Know how to care for pets
Training and Education in Louisiana
To become a skillful home health aide, you need some experience.
In Louisiana, you don’t need to spend many years training.
Most of the available programs don’t last longer than a few weeks.
You can also pursue an associate’s degree, which takes about 2 years to complete.
After your training is finished, you will have to pass a certification exam.
To be received in the exam, you need 75 hours of training.
Furthermore, 16 hours must be spend focused on practice.
In this state, you can get training through the following schools:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Advance Healthcare Institute | 16851 Jefferson Highway Suite 10A Baton Rouge, LA 70817 |
| Advance Nursing Training | 4480 General Degualle Avenue New Orleans, LA 70131 |
| Andrea’s Career Institute | 2010 Woodmere Blvd Suite P Harvey, LA 70058 |
| Aspire Training Medical Academy | 11449 Florida Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 708515 |
| Baton Rouge Community College Acadian Campus | 3250 N Acadian Thruway East Baton Rouge, LA 70805 |
| Baton Rouge Community College Frazier Campus | 555 Julia Street Baton Rouge, LA 70806 |
| Baton Rouge Community College Jackson Campus | 3337 Highway 10 Baton Rouge, LA 70748 |
| Baton Rouge Community College New Roads Campus | 605 Hospital Road New Roads, LA 70760 |
| Bossier Parish Community College | 6220 East Texas Street Bossier City, LA 71111 |
| Camelot College | 2618 Wooddale Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70805 |
| Carville Job Corps Center | 5465 Point Clair Road Carville, LA 70721 |
| Central LTCC Ferriday | 801 East East Wallace Boulevard Ferriday, LA 71334 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College at Catahoula Parish | 422 Main Street Jonesville, LA 71343 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College at Vadalia High School | 2201 Murray Drive Vidalia, LA 71373 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College Huey P Long | 5960 Highway 167 North Winnfield, LA 71483 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College Oakdale | 117 Highway 1152 Oakdale, LA 71463 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College Ward H Nash | 508 Choupique Street Cottonport, LA 71327 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College at Peabody Magnet High School | 2727 Jones Street Alexandria, LA 71302 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College at Tioga High School | 1207 Tioga Road Tioga, LA 71405 |
| Compass Career College | 42353 Deluxe Plaza Suite 16 Hammond, LA 70403 |
| Delgado Community College Jefferson | 5200 Blair Drive Metairie, LA 70001 |
| Delta College | 2401 North Highway 190 Convington, LA 70433 |
| Delta College of Arts and Technology Lafayette Campus | 200 Republic Avenue Suite A Lafayette, LA 70508 |
| Grace And Favor Training Academy | 1005 Northwest Central Avenue Amite, LA 70422 |
| Healthcare And More | 106 Courthouse Square Rayville, LA 71269 |
| Healthcare Training Institute | 322 Williams Boulevard Kenner, LA 70062 |
| Infinity College | 117 West Pinhook Road Lafayette, LA 70501 |
| Learning Bridge Career Institute | 1340 West Tunnel Boulevard Houma, LA 70360 |
| Life Care | 5100 West Expressway Suite 4 Marrero, LA 70072 |
| LifeSmart Training Center | 200 South Broad Street Suite 6 New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Louisiana Delta Community College | 7500 Millhaven Road Monroe, LA 71203 |
| Mia’s Medical Academy | 7525 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70806 |
| Northshore Technical Community College | 7067 Highway 10 Greensburg, LA 70441 |
| Saint Agatha Career School | 7078 Read Boulevard New Orleans, LA 70127 |
Your license has to be renewed once a year.
Before that time comes, you will have to take 12 extra hours of schooling.
During your training program, you will take classes in:
- Processes of development and aging
- Personal care services
- Infection control
- Nutrition
- Maintaining the least restrictive environment
- Body mechanics
- Assistive technology
There aren’t many requirements when it comes to getting enrolled in a program.
You should, however, have a high-school diploma or a GED.
You may be able to find a school that will accept you if you are 16 years old.
You might also need to meet the following criteria:
- Passing a drug test
- Passing a tuberculosis test
- Passing a background check
- Exam in:
- Math
- Reading
- English
Sometimes, the facility that hires you will also pay for your training.
Employment and Salary in Louisiana
Generally, the prognosis for jobs in the medical field in Louisiana is positive.
If you get employed by a facility in larger cities like New Orleans, you have higher chances to get paid more.
The home health care aides are also employed by agencies.
You can choose to work in a home, but you can also perform your job duties in a hospital.
The most important employers in Louisiana are:
- Louisiana State University Hospitals: This hospital is located in New Orleans and offers many employee benefits.
- Ochsner Medical Center: This is one of the largest medical facilities in the state.
- It has many career opportunities and benefits like disability options, health insurance, paid leave and paid vacation.
- Christus Health System: The system features over 40 facilities all over the state of Louisiana.
- Willis-Knighton Health System
- Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center: This is the largest medical center in North Louisiana and provides a good benefits package.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $25,277 |
| Baton Rouge | $23,675 |
| Shreveport | $23,410 |
| Metairie | $25,277 |
| Lafayette | $23,394 |
| Lake Charles | $23,073 |
| Bossier City | $23,410 |
| Kenner | $25,263 |
| Monroe | $23,288 |
| Alexandria | $22,559 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 2,850 | $24,060 | $11.57 | $35,390 | $17,370 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 6,680 | $22,320 | $10.73 | $28,790 | $18,200 |
| Hammond, LA | 1,520 | $22,230 | $10.69 | $28,430 | $17,570 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 1,360 | $23,230 | $11.17 | $30,830 | $18,720 |
| Lafayette, LA | 4,880 | $21,200 | $10.19 | $26,400 | $17,850 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 1,390 | $21,950 | $10.55 | $27,200 | $18,010 |
| Monroe, LA | 3,290 | $21,640 | $10.41 | $29,680 | $17,670 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 7,150 | $24,960 | $12 | $34,990 | $18,450 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 3,270 | $22,740 | $10.93 | $29,840 | $17,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Other Info About Home Health Aides in Louisiana
If you choose a career in the field, you will have to assist older or disabled people.
You will have to help them with basic life tasks such as feeding, changing clothes, and moving around.
You might have to work on nights sometimes and also on the weekends if required.
A home health aide is usually supervised by a licensed nurse or therapist.
The first step in getting hired is enrolling in a training program.
This will help you get the required skills to start a fruitful career.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State