How to Become a Home Health Aide in New York

New York is home to over 19 million people. Among them, about 18.1% are aged 65 or older, and over 7.7% are dealing with disability. As the demand for home healthcare services continues to rise, home health aides (HHAs) are becoming increasingly vital.

We’ll share a thorough breakdown of what it takes to become a home health aide, New York requirements, and training opportunities. Get ready to take the first step on your journey to becoming a compassionate HHA in the Empire State.

Job Duties of a Home Health Aide: New York

Home health aides are essential members of the care team that specialize in providing essential non-medical services and support to clients who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal care. HHAs work with diverse groups of people, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those going through rehabilitation.

A typical day of a home health aide starts by assisting patients with morning routines like toileting, bathing, and feeding, and, in special circumstances, assisting with or administering certain medications within the acceptable scope of practice. As the day progresses, HHAs may perform light housekeeping and assist with various daily tasks to maintain a sanitary environment. Throughout the day, they monitor the client’s health, promptly reporting any changes to healthcare supervisors.

Here are some of the major job duties of a home health aide in New York:

• Assisting clients with daily personal tasks like bathing, dressing, shopping, eating, and walking
• Communicating regularly with the broader nursing team about the patient’s condition
• Conducting light housekeeping duties, such as laundry, sanitizing surfaces, and vacuuming in the client’s home or room
• Lifting and transferring patients, and repositioning them as needed

Additionally, these professionals can be responsible for certain health-related tasks:

• Conducting and recording basic measurements and tests (i.e., taking vital signs)
• Preparing meals according to special or modified diets
• Overseeing a patient self-administer prescribed medication
• Assisting with prescribed medical equipment, supplies, and devices

Advanced Home Health Aide vs. Home Health Aide

New York also authorizes the specialty of advanced home health aides (AHHAs) who work under the direct supervision of an RN. Essentially, the key distinction is that AHHAs have an extended scope of responsibilities that includes more specialized healthcare tasks compared to regular home health aides. AHHAs have additional training and experience, allowing them to perform advanced tasks, like administering certain routine and emergency medications such as naloxone or glucagon.

Steps to Become a Home Health Aide: New York

Now, you may be wondering — How do I become a certified home health aide in NY? Entering this profession involves several steps, including education, training, and certification. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become a home health aide in NY.

Step 1: Complete a State-Approved Training Program

Sign up for one of the state-approved home health aide training programs. They typically consist of a minimum of 75 hours of comprehensive training in areas such as personal care, nutrition, infection control, and communication skills. There are many organizations that offer home health aide classes in New York, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Keep in mind that some employers may require additional certifications and/or years of relevant experience for certain HHA positions. Be sure to read each job posting thoroughly.

Step 2: Obtain Certification

After completing the training program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. With that in hand, you can apply to be listed on the New York State Home Care Registry. If you’re uncertain about this part of becoming a home health aide, New York’s Department of Health answers frequently asked questions to simplify the process.

Step 3: Maintain Certification Through Continuing Education

Once certified, you are required to participate in ongoing continuing education to maintain your certification and stay updated on best practices in the field. To remain able to work in New York as an HHA, you must show proof of supervised work and complete 12 hours of in-service training each year, which is typically offered by the employment agency.

Step 4: Pursue Additional Training

As an optional step, you can choose to become an advanced home health aide. In order to do this, you need to graduate from an approved AHHA program, pass the medication aide certification exam, and go through the state verification process.

Transition to HHA

If you’re already working as either a personal care aide (PCA) or certified nursing assistant (CNA) in New York, you can take steps to transition to work as an HHA.

PCA Upgrade: This is for PCAs who have experience providing personal care services to patients at home. These individuals can acquire an additional 35 hours of approved training in order to become an HHA.

CNA Transition and Competency Evaluation: This is for CNAs who provide personal care and health-related services in residential healthcare facilities. These professionals may extend their training by completing a home health aide training program that teaches the required skills not included in nurse aide training programs.

Where Can a Home Health Aide Work?

You may think that home health aides can only work in patients’ homes. In reality, their role can go beyond residential settings, and they may also work in:

• Assisted living facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Hospice care
• Adult day care centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Group homes
• Community health organizations
• Hospitals
• Educational institutions for special needs students
• Correctional facilities
• Home health agencies
• Mental health facilities
• Memory care facilities

What Is the Typical Home Health Aide NY Salary?

In New York, the typical home health aide salary is about $35,590. Keep in mind that your actual earnings may vary based on your educational background, certifications, skill set, geographical location, and professional experience.

The job outlook for home health aides is exceptionally positive, with a projected 22% growth in the next decade — significantly faster than the average across all occupations. Expect more than 680,000 annual openings for home health and personal care aides in the years to come.

Find Your Best Match on the Job Market

Ready to become a home health aide? New York is waiting for you! Check out all the home health aide jobs in New York available right now.