Home Health Aide

Download the Home Health Aide information sheet

This training covers material for both Personal Care Aide (PCA) and Home Health Aide (HHA). It provides students with the foundation of working in a home setting and providing care ranging from personal care for the elderly, disabled and infants to taking vital signs.

There is growing demand and high need for in home care professionals in our region. An HHA has a scope of care/services that is wider and more advanced than a PCA.

The course is taught in English and has a minimum of 80 hours of classroom and lab experience followed by 8 hours of clinical rotation at a local Assisted Living facility. Students who successfully complete course requirements receive HHA certification and are entered into the New York State Department of Health Home Care Registry.

Requirements

• Medical and immunization information
• High School Diploma or equivalency - Preferred

We advise potential participants to contact our office to obtain additional information and the necessary forms well in advance of the start of class.

If you have a criminal record, it may affect your ability to work in a nursing home, home care agency, or hospital. For details, refer to the NYDOH Nursing Home Nurse Aide Certification Handbook(page 3), or NYDOH Codes, Rules, and Regulations, Title 10.

Students with pet allergies need to contact the CNA or HHA Instructor in advance of
the class to determine if a pet resides in the clinical facility. If possible, attempts will be
made to place students in clinical facilities without pets.

Functional Abilities

The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. In keeping with this law, Schenectady County Community College makes every effort to ensure quality education for all students. However, we feel obliged to inform students of the functional abilities demanded by a particular occupation.

Gross Motor Skills

• Ability to maintain balance in standing position
• Ability to twist body from one side to the other
• Ability to reach below the waist and to the front or side of the body to the level of the top of head (examples: adjust overhead lights, plug electrical appliance into wall outlet)
• Ability to push, pull, stabilize, twist, and freely move arms to allow movement of 50 pounds (as in moving an object or transferring a client from one place to another)

Fine Motor Skills

• Ability to grasp, twist, squeeze, pinch, and manipulate fine equipment for at least five seconds.

Tactile Ability

• Ability to distinguish subtle vibrations through the skin (pulse)
• Ability to identify the subtle difference in surface characteristics (feel a raised rash)
• Ability to detect temperature (skin, liquids, environment)

Mobility

• Ability to squat or modified squat (one knee on floor) for at least one minute 
• Ability to move quickly in case of emergency situations
• Ability to climb and descend a flight of stairs in succession
• Ability to walk independently without the assistance of a cane, walker, crutches, wheel chair or the assistance of another person

Environment and Physical Endurance

• Ability to have stamina sufficient to maintain physical activity for a period of time from five to eight hours
• Ability to tolerate exposure to common allergens such as pets, body lotions, soaps, and cleaning products
• Ability to work in confined spaces
• Ability to tolerate heat and humidity as high as 90 degrees for up to 30 minutes (shower/bathrooms)

Speech and Communication

• Ability to interact with others to report and advocate for the needs of the clients
• Ability to speak, write, and understand English in order to be able to communicate with clients as well as report and document client information

Senses: Smell, Hearing, and Vision

• Ability to detect differences in body and environmental odors 
• Ability to hear and understand voices spoken at a normal speaking volume within a distance of 10 feet
• Ability to hear faint noises such as whispers within a range of four feet
• Ability to have depth perception and peripheral vision to allow identification of dangerous objects and client situations within the client's room
• Ability to read and interpret written data held at normal reading distance

Emotional Stability

• Ability to interact and support clients during times of stress and emotional upset
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and emergency conditions while maintaining emotional control
• Ability to cope with strong emotions and physical outbursts of clients while remaining reasonably calm
• Ability to focus attention on client needs despite interruptions and multiple demands
• Ability to accept constructive feedback and accept responsibility for actions

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to apply knowledge gained in classroom to establish appropriate relationships with clients, families, and co-workers
• Ability to interact as a member of the health care team

Students with disabilities have the right to request reasonable accommodations from the College and the program, as necessitated by their disability. Information is available on reasonable accommodations to meet the Functional Abilities upon the applicant's request. Please contact the Office of ADA Transition Services.