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In New Mexico, there’s a high need of workers in the healthcare field.
One particular sector is that of home health aides, and if you want to know more about it and the steps you need to take to enter it, read this guide!
Article Table of Contents
Ideal Candidate
Home health aides don’t have an easy job, and as such, there’s an ideal candidate for this field.
Home health aides work mostly with clients rather than patients.
The candidate has the following attributes:
- Caring
- Responsible
- Has good communication skills
- Physical stamina
- Pays attention to details
There are cases in which other characteristics are important.
These cases include situations when the client:
- Speaks another language
- Has special dietary needs
- Has pets or children in care
- Is disabled, convalescing, or dying
Training and Certification
In New Mexico, the training requirement for these care-givers is short compared to other states.
The required training has to be at least 75 hours long with 16 of them being spent in a clinical setting.
This is a federal requirement.
The programs will teach and show future home health aides how to perform most of the duties and daily tasks, in a comfortable manner for the client.
Usually to enroll in these programs you’ll have to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a diploma from a high school or GED
- Have a clean criminal record
- Pass a TB test
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | 525 Buena Vista SE Albuquerque NM 87106 |
| Clovis Community College | 417 Schepps Boulevard, Clovis , NM 87313 |
| Dona Ana Branch Community College | 3400 S Espina, Las Cruces, NM 88003 |
| Eastern New Mexico University | 52 University Blvd Roswell NM 88202-6000 |
| Navajo Technical College | PO Box 849, Crown Point , NM 87313 |
| New Mexico State University | 2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd. Las Cruces NM 88011 |
| Santa Fe Community College | 6401 Richards Ave Santa Fe NM 87508-4887 |
| University of New Mexico | 280 La Entrada Los Lunas NM 87031-7633 |
| University of New Mexico | 4000 University Dr Los Alamos NM 87544 |
| Vista College | 850 North Telshore Blvd., Suites F-G Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
The programs last for under 1 year, with the shortest one being just 11 weeks long.
There is also the possibility of getting an Associate’s degree in 2 years, especially for those who want better and more career options.
Once your training is completed, you’ll have to pass an exam and then you’ll receive your certification.
The certificate is issued by the New Mexico Health Facility Licensing & Certification Bureau.
In some cases, home health aides may have to learn new skills in order to better cater to the needs of their clients.
Employment and Salary Details in New Mexico
In many cases, the position of a home health aide is a part-time occupation.
This is especially true when working with Medicare-funded home health services.
The training is usually provided through the employer, though having prior training may allow you to ask for a higher salary.
Agencies hiring home health aides need to be licensed and they must also maintain their license.
The best agencies hiring home health aides in New Mexico include:
- Pms Community Home Health Care, in Santa Fe
- Brookdale Home Health, in Albuquerque
- AHC Home Health Of New Mexico, in Albuquerque
On average, the income of these professionals is higher in cities like Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Farmington, or Albuquerque.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $23,940 |
| Las Cruces | $21,643 |
| Rio Rancho | $23,864 |
| Santa Fe | $24,062 |
| Roswell | $22,330 |
| Farmington | $23,619 |
| Clovis | $22,556 |
| Hobbs | $21,966 |
| Alamogordo | $22,712 |
| Carlsbad | $22,330 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 16,030 | $29,350 | $14.11 | $36,980 | $25,880 |
| Farmington, NM | 1,870 | $29,110 | $14 | $36,700 | $24,960 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 5,000 | $26,480 | $12.73 | $28,510 | $24,960 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 1,440 | $30,220 | $14.53 | $37,170 | $25,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Extra Information
To be able to continue working in this field, you’ll have to complete 12 hours of continuing education per year.
There are 2 bodies overseeing home health aides:
- The National Association of Home Care and Hospice
- The Department of Health and Human Services
The first body demands that the home health aides be certified, while the second body is in charge of the Home Health Aide registry.
Among the duties of a home health aide, you’ll encounter:
- Meal preparation
- Personal hygiene
- Moving the client – from the bed to the wheelchair and back
These aides may have to help the clients take their medication, but they’re not always allowed to administer the medicine to the client.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State