While much of the training for a home health aide involves working directly with patients under the supervision of a registered nurse, most states require certified home health aides to obtain continuing education hours in order to retain their certification.
Topics
In-service training includes basic medical care such as taking vital signs, ethics, and patient hygiene. Many workshops focus more on the home health aspect of the job with topics such as family dynamics, assessment of general health, and housekeeping.
Finding Training
You can find effective training through a professional organization such as the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) or the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA). The NAHC offers Internet access to some workshops, or members can attend the annual meeting. The NAHCA presents workshops at institutions across the country on specific topics. It also has developed a large number of online courses available through its Virtual Campus of Care.
Free Training
The NAHCH has a large library with some free material and links. Health care institutions and governmental agencies also sometimes have grant-funded in-service trainings, such as the one through the state of Michigan (see Resources).
Warning
If you plan to use in-service activities as continuing education credits for certification, check with your state first to see if the activities are approved.