Home Health Aide Training Program
Need a job? Interested in a career in the healthcare industry? AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio can support your goals!
AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio is excited to announce a new benefit for members – the Home Health Aide Training Program. We have partnered with the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice to make home health aide training and certification available to our members, at no cost to members!
As a top in-demand job in Ohio, home health aides are valuable healthcare team members. They help people remain independent in their home. Home health aides provide hands-on assistance with basic care, including providing help with bathing, dressing, feeding, and household chores and meal preparation. Home health aides are not state-tested nursing aides (STNAs).
Program basics
AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will enroll you into the training program and make sure you are set up for success. There are four steps to successfully complete the program so you are ready to find employment as a home health aide. All four steps must be completed before you are certified to work as a home health aide in Ohio.
Step 1: Complete 44.1 hours of online coursework, including passing quizzes to assess your knowledge. There are a total of 19 courses, each with its own quiz. AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will help you gain access to an online learning platform to complete your coursework. Coursework can be completed as your time allows. You can access the online learning platform 24/7 and can start, stop, and resume online courses anytime.
Step 2: Complete a live, virtual two-day education session. Sessions are offered on a rotating schedule, every other week, and include both weekday and weekend sessions. Classes are held online from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a total of 16 hours of live instruction. You must attend both eight-hour days and participate in the class. AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will review the session schedule with you and schedule you for the education sessions that best fit your schedule.
Step 3: Pass a written exam. AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will connect you with a home health agency where you can take your exam.
Step 4: Complete 16 hours of supervised practice. AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will connect you with a home health agency to complete your supervised practice.
Enroll
To learn more about the Home Health Aide Training Program or to enroll, please contact the AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio Rapid Response and Outreach Team at 1-833-464-7768 (TTY 1-833-889-6446).
Disclaimer: The Home Health Aide Training Program does not guarantee employment following completion of the program. While the training program does not require a background check or high school diploma/GED, it is important to note that a home health employer may require this before hire.
FAQs
A home health aide is a person who has successfully completed a home health training and competency evaluation program. A home health aide may also be called a personal care aide.
This person has training and education to provide hands-on assistance with basic care (activities of daily living) for individuals that need assistance in their homes.
A home health aide provides non-medical home health services for individuals. These services may include hands-on bathing or assistance using the tub or shower, help with dressing and going to the bathroom, and meal prep and feeding. Based on an individual’s needs, home health aides may also provide other personal care services, such as helping with basic housekeeping — cleaning, doing laundry, and opening and organizing mail.
Home health aides can help people of all ages and abilities, including older adults, persons with disabilities, and people with chronic illnesses.
A home health aide is not a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). An Ohio STNA, also known as a “certified nurse aide” (CNA), must complete a different training program, administered by the Ohio Department of Health.
Home health and personal care aides are top jobs in Ohio, according to the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. Home health aides are in demand in Ohio with over 15,000 position openings across the state.
Learn more here: Ohio’s Top Jobs List
Home healthcare agencies hire home health aides to provide services to Ohioans in their own homes.
Home health aides may also provide home health aid services independently, as a non-agency, non-medical home health provider.
This program can be completed at your own pace, as quick or slow as you choose.
The Home Health Aide Training Program is being offered to AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio members at no cost to the member.
However, there may be other costs you may need to consider, such as internet access to complete the online coursework and transportation costs for your supervised practice.
You must complete the live, two-day online training session. Courses are offered on a rotating biweekly schedule. Classes are held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on either Tuesday/Wednesday or Saturday/Sunday. You must attend both days for the full eight hours without distraction or interruption, and you must be on camera for the duration of the course. If you are not able to attend both days fully, you will need to schedule another class.
You can view the online class schedule. AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will enroll you into the course at a time that works best for your schedule.
You will need a device (computer, laptop, or tablet) and internet to access the coursework and complete required training. If you need help accessing a device or the internet, please call 1-833-464-7768.
The training program does not require you to complete and pass a background check. However, a future employer may require you to complete and pass a background check before hire.
AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio will help you find a home health agency in your local area to supervise your practical experience. You will need to demonstrate the skills you have learned throughout the training program.
If you need help with transportation and getting to your supervised practice site, please call 1-833-464-7768.
AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio is here to help and support you! Please reach out to 1-833-464-7768 with questions.