Health Aide
Overview
Health aide programs prepare people to give routine medical care and comfort to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes.Health aide programs include topics such as:
- Nutrition
- Home sanitation
- Infection control
- First aid
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Geriatric care
Concentrations
In health aide programs, students may be able to specialize in:
- Home care
- Geriatric care
Schools
Several career and technical schools as well as several community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs. A health aide certificate program usually takes three to five months. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Chiropractic Assisting
- Dietetic Technology
- Dietitian Assisting
- Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
- Gerontology
- Human Services
- Medical Assisting
- Nursing Assisting
- Occupational Therapy Assisting
- Pre-Nursing
- Sterile Processing Technology
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Medical Assistants
- Medical Equipment Preparers
- Occupational Therapist Aides
- Physical Therapist Aides
- Physical Therapist Assistants
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program of study by getting your high school diploma or GED.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Algebra
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Community Health
- Fitness and Conditioning Activities
- Food and Nutrition
- General Math
- Health and Fitness
- Health Education
- Healthcare Occupations
- Healthcare Sciences Work Experience
- Home Health Care
- Pre-Algebra
- Psychology
- Recordkeeping
- Safety and First Aid
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- Behavioral Health Aide
- CPR and First Aid
- Healthcare Law and Ethics
- Interpersonal Skills
- Introduction to Healthcare
- Math and Dosage Calculations
- Medical Terminology
- Nursing Assistant
Many programs offer clinical practicums. These are valuable hands-on opportunities to apply what you've learned in the classroom in real-world settings. You also get the benefit of having an experienced health care worker supervising you. As an example, you might assist a health aide with several patients in several nursing homes across your town.
Things to Know
Health aides sometimes lift people out of their beds and into wheelchairs. Because of this, you should be physically fit if you want to pursue this program.
You typically need to pay for any uniforms and supplies for your clinical instruction.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
Blossom Nursing Assistant Training School
- Home Care Aide
Edmonds Community College
- Allied Health Education--Home Health Aide
- Allied Health Education--Patient Care Technician
Health Professionals Institute
- Home Care Aide
- Home Care Aide Bridge to Nursing Assistant
Highline College
- Caregiving Pathways--Home Care Aide
West Side Area
Career in Caregiving
- CPR/FA
- Home Care Aide (HCA) Program
- Orientation and Safety Training (ORSA)
Lower Columbia College
- Health Occupations Core for the Healthcare Worker