by 
A career in the healthcare industry can be rewarding.
You can choose to become a home health aide if you enjoy helping people.
This sector doesn’t require a lot of training, and you can get your license quite easy.
You will only need to meet minimal requirements to start working in Pennsylvania.
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Ideal Candidate in Pennsylvania
To be a home health aide, you need some skills, which include the following:
- You can drive and have a means of transportation
- You have compassion
- You are healthy and physically able
- Communication skills
You can also have the below skills for better job opportunities:
- Know how to prepare meals
- You know a second language
- You are willing to take care of pets
Training and Education in Pennsylvania
You will first need to get a license before you can start looking for a job in Pennsylvania.
In order to get a practicing license, you have to attend a training program.
The program must contain 75 hours of training, and 6 must be hands-on practice.
After you finish the required training, you can take the licensing exam.
This exam will test your knowledge and skills in the field.
After passing the exam, you will be issued a license that you can use to work.
In order to maintain your license, you need to take 12 additional hours of class every year.
You will also have to apply for renewal.
In the program, you will be taught about subjects such as:
- Processes of development and aging
- Personal care services
- Infection control
- Nutrition
- Maintaining the least restrictive environment
- Body mechanics
- Assistive technology
You must also fulfill some criteria to be accepted in a training school that is approved.
These requirements are:
- Be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or an equivalent
- pass a tuberculosis test
- Pass a background check
- Be able to read and to write
- You want to learn new things
- you don’t have any kind of addictions
In this state, the training programs for home health aides only last some weeks.
This means that this sector is one in which you can get hired the fastest.
However, you can spend more time in school and pursue an associate’s degree.
By doing this, you will get more career advancement opportunities.
If you take some anatomy classes or a CPR course, you also have more chances to get hired.
These are several schools that provide training for home health aides, such as:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| At Home Care, LLC | 3 Neshaminy Interplex Suite 301 Trevose, PA 19053 |
| Community College of Beaver County | 125 Technology Dr Ste 4 Canonsburg, PA 15317-9541 |
| GECAC Training Institute | 1006 West 10th St. Erie, PA 16502 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | 731 Old Harrisburg Rd. GETTYSBURG,PA 17325 |
| Home Health Aide Classes in Pennsylvania – Lackawanna College | 501 Vine Street Scranton, Pa 18509 |
| HACC Harrisburg Area Community College | 1 HACC Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17110, |
| Lehigh Career & Technical Institute | 4500 Education Park Drive. Schnecksville, PA 18078 |
| P&A Nurse Aide Training | 141 East Hunting park Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19124 |
Salary and Employment in Pennsylvania
You can easily find a job if reach out to one of the state’s main employers.
These are:
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Geisinger Health System
- Penn State Children’s Hospital
- Temple University
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center
- Wellspan Health
If you get hired in a larger city, you have higher chances to find a well-paid position.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $27,351 |
| Pittsburgh | $25,080 |
| Allentown | $25,386 |
| Erie | $23,519 |
| Reading | $25,256 |
| Upper Darby | $27,351 |
| Scranton | $23,501 |
| Bensalem | $28,755 |
| Lancaster | $24,945 |
| Abington | $27,331 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 10,060 | $31,470 | $15.13 | $38,920 | $26,050 |
| Altoona, PA | 1,660 | $29,810 | $14.33 | $36,700 | $23,100 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 780 | $28,500 | $13.7 | $34,960 | $16,770 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 920 | $30,710 | $14.77 | $37,630 | $23,160 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 1,360 | $30,620 | $14.72 | $38,260 | $24,480 |
| Erie, PA | 6,270 | $28,740 | $13.82 | $35,420 | $23,220 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 420 | $30,310 | $14.57 | $37,770 | $24,700 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 10,710 | $29,820 | $14.34 | $36,140 | $24,190 |
| Johnstown, PA | 1,630 | $27,710 | $13.32 | $35,140 | $21,690 |
| Lancaster, PA | 5,220 | $31,370 | $15.08 | $38,660 | $25,340 |
| Lebanon, PA | 920 | $30,140 | $14.49 | $41,490 | $25,170 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 124,640 | $31,310 | $15.05 | $37,790 | $26,600 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 32,520 | $31,070 | $14.94 | $37,720 | $23,950 |
| Reading, PA | 5,300 | $31,310 | $15.05 | $39,020 | $25,190 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 8,290 | $30,010 | $14.43 | $37,010 | $23,370 |
| State College, PA | 1,090 | $31,300 | $15.05 | $38,070 | $25,200 |
| Williamsport, PA | 1,470 | $29,970 | $14.41 | $37,210 | $23,790 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 3,140 | $31,000 | $14.9 | $37,130 | $24,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Other Info About Home Health Aides in Pennsylvania
The home health aide job requires you to work in a home or in a hospital.
You will have to help the client eat, dress, and move from the wheelchair and back.
After you choose a training program, you can be sure to build the career you always wanted.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State