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The Washington state provides many work opportunities to those in the medical field.
If you are considering a career in the home health aide field, look below for more info.
You can learn more about the certification you need, and how much you can earn.
Article Table of Contents
Ideal Candidate in Washington
A home health aide generally needs to have some particular skills:
- You have a car and are able to drive
- You are a compassionate individual
- You are physically strong
- In good moral standing
There are also some additional skills you should have, including:
- You can prepare various dishes
- You can speak several languages
- You can take care of pets
Training and Education in Washington
In Washington, you need to have more training compared to other states.
You will also have to get a license as a nursing assistant.
Without certification as a nursing assistant, you will not be able to work for an agency that is certified by Medicare.
The state asks for at least 85 hours of training, which includes 50 hours of practice.
The training requirements can be fulfilled through a program offered by a trade school.
The below schools provide training programs in the state of Washington:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bellevue College | 3000 Landerholm Cir SE Bellevue WA 98007-6484 |
| Edmonds Community College | 20000 68th Ave W Lynnwood WA 98036-5912 |
| Highline College | 2400 S 240th St Des Moines WA 98198-9800 |
| Shoreline Community College | 16101 Greenwood Ave N Shoreline WA 98133-5696 |
| Spokane Falls Community College | 3410 W Fort George Wright Dr Spokane WA 99224-5288 |
After finishing the program, you will need to take an exam that will assess your knowledge and skills.
If you also pass the exam, you will be issued your new certification,
This certification has to be renewed once a year, and before that, you need to attend 12 extra hours of schooling.
The theory part of the training program includes the following topics:
- Processes of development and aging
- Personal care services
- Infection control
- Nutrition
- Maintaining the least restrictive environment
- Body mechanics
- Assistive technology
The schools typically have their own enrollment criteria, and the requirements include:
- 18 years old and have a high-school diploma or a GED
- Pass a tuberculosis test and a background check
- You are able to write and read
- You don’t have an addiction
Some students choose to pursue higher education in order to have better career prospects.
For example, you can get an associate’s degree that lasts about 2 years.
Typically, a simple training program for home health aides takes a few weeks to finish.
You can take extra CPR training or additional anatomy classes as well.
Salary and Employment in Washington
In Washington, the medical industry has been growing for a couple of decades.
You will not have any issues finding a job, especially if you work in a bigger city.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $27,855 |
| Spokane | $25,258 |
| Tacoma | $27,145 |
| Vancouver | $26,545 |
| Bellevue | $27,855 |
| Kent | $27,091 |
| Everett | $27,244 |
| Renton | $27,828 |
| Federal Way | $27,145 |
| Yakima | $25,202 |
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 1,920 | $40,540 | $19.49 | $45,260 | $36,830 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 1,780 | $41,570 | $19.99 | $45,940 | $36,770 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 3,320 | $40,780 | $19.61 | $44,350 | $35,890 |
| Longview, WA | 1,310 | $40,470 | $19.46 | $46,580 | $36,720 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 1,000 | $40,760 | $19.59 | $44,520 | $33,840 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 2,620 | $40,360 | $19.4 | $43,900 | $36,610 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 40,980 | $43,600 | $20.96 | $46,950 | $37,970 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 8,290 | $39,660 | $19.07 | $43,730 | $35,790 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 990 | $37,970 | $18.26 | $42,650 | $32,740 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 860 | $40,320 | $19.39 | $45,700 | $36,430 |
| Yakima, WA | 3,910 | $40,090 | $19.28 | $43,030 | $35,560 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Some of the medical facilities you can apply to in this state include:
- Tacoma General Hospital
- Swedish Medical Center
- Virginia Mason Medical Center
- St. Joseph Medical Center
Other Info About Home Health Aides in Washington
Home health aides can get hired to work in hospitals or homes.
You have to be ready to take on some job duties such as working weekends or night shifts.
The job responsibilities you will have include helping the client dress, move from wheelchair and back, and eat.
You will also have to assist them with any other task they can’t do for themselves.
This career is a rewarding one, and you can get your first job as soon as you finish training.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State