Home health aide is one of the fastest-growing careers that the state of Alabama has to offer and there is no end in sight.
It does not matter if you reside in Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville, Decatur, or any of the other towns and cities in Alabama.
The possibilities are endless. In order to learn more about the steps that you will need to take, please be sure to check out this helpful guide.
5 Home Health Aide Schools in Alabama
Montgomery Job Corps
This is the top choice for those who have more time to spend in exchange for a less expensive program.
It takes place over the course of 24 weeks and does not cost a dime.
In order to qualify for this program, prospective students will need to have a high school diploma or a general equivalency.
A background check and a drug test must be passed as well.
In addition to the physical exam, a tuberculosis test is administered.
Various written exams are required, too.
Before a student can finish the enrollment process, a reading exam, math exam, and English exam will also need to be passed.
Reid State Technical College
This program is offered to those who reside in the Evergreen region and it is a bit shorter than the Job Corps program, clocking in at 15 weeks.
Students can expect to spend $2,900 to complete their coursework.
A high school diploma or general equivalency is required.
Background checks are also mandatory, as well as drug tests.
Students are asked to pass a tuberculosis test and a physical exam.
On the academic side of things, a reading exam, an English exam, and a math exam are musts.
Students cannot apply if they are under the age of 18, either.
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Located in Muscle Shoals, this community college offers students the chance to earn their home health aide certification within 10 weeks.
The costs are also low, allowing students to spend a mere $568.
The course requirements are also straightforward, as students will need to have their high school diploma or general equivalency.
A background check, fingerprint submission, and a tuberculosis test have to be completed before the coursework can begin.
Once these requirements are completed, the prospective student is all set once they have passed their required reading and math exams.
NHC Place Anniston
This four-week program has an unknown cost but students are more than welcome to apply, as these costs are typically very low compared to other programs of this nature.
Students must be at least 18 years of age and be willing to submit to a background test, as well as a drug test.
A high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma is required, in addition to a tuberculosis test and a physical exam.
Fingerprint submissions are mandatory.
Prospective students have to pass a math exam, an English exam, and a reading exam.
Southern Union State Community College
Opelika residents will often Southern Union State when they are looking to get started on becoming a home health aide.
The program can be completed within 15 weeks, at a cost of just $579.
The home health aide course requirements are also simple and very easy to follow.
Students must be 18 years of age with a high school diploma or a general equivalency.
A background check, fingerprint submission, drug test, and tuberculosis test are mandatory.
Lastly, prospective students are required to pass a series of exams in math, English, and reading before they are able to begin their studies in earnest.
Home Health Aide Schools in Alabama – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Alabama
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Montgomery Job Corps | 1145 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| Reid State Technical College | 100 AL-83, Evergreen, AL 36401 |
| Northwest Shoals Community College | 800 George Wallace Blvd, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 |
| NHC Place Anniston | 1335 Greenbrier Dear Rd, Anniston, AL 36207 |
| Southern Union State Community College | 750 Roberts St, Wadley, AL 36276 |
Salary
On average, Alabama home health aides can expect to make anywhere from $25,000 to $27,000 per year, give or take.
The exact amount will depend on the market.
For example, Huntsville and Birmingham aides earn a shade over $26,000 on average, while Montgomery aides earn an average of just $25,000.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in Alabama
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $26,087 |
| Montgomery | $24,709 |
| Mobile | $25,505 |
| Huntsville | $26,065 |
| Tuscaloosa | $25,832 |
| Florence | $23,760 |
| Dothan | $24,343 |
| Decatur | $25,269 |
| Auburn | $24,866 |
| Gadsden | $25,856 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 400 | $24,080 | $11.58 | $29,420 | $17,440 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 560 | $24,130 | $11.6 | $28,910 | $19,730 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 4,510 | $26,130 | $12.56 | $32,560 | $20,490 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 940 | $25,100 | $12.07 | $30,280 | $18,250 |
| Decatur, AL | 1,060 | $24,400 | $11.73 | $29,290 | $19,320 |
| Dothan, AL | 760 | $22,350 | $10.75 | $27,000 | $18,230 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 700 | $23,130 | $11.12 | $29,330 | $16,010 |
| Gadsden, AL | 450 | $22,300 | $10.72 | $27,580 | $17,210 |
| Huntsville, AL | 1,980 | $25,700 | $12.36 | $32,410 | $21,070 |
| Mobile, AL | 1,860 | $24,560 | $11.81 | $29,380 | $17,740 |
| Montgomery, AL | 1,280 | $24,060 | $11.57 | $29,340 | $18,240 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 1,270 | $25,430 | $12.22 | $30,600 | $19,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many additional training hours are required?
All Alabama home health aide candidates are required to spend an additional 75 hours training in a classroom setting, as well as 16 hours in a clinical setting.
What are some of the specific services that Alabama home health aides offer?
These skilled healthcare professionals provide personal care, wound care, and intravenous therapy.
In addition to these services, diabetic and cardiovascular care are offered to patients in need.
Post-hospital assessment and teaching, urinary catheter management, and any necessary physical, occupational, and speech therapy are also provided.
Who do Alabama home health aides provide service for?
Alabama home health aides work all year round and provide service for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
They also provide services for commercial insurance pre-authorization and private pay pre-authorization.
What does the Alabama job market look like?
There are no worries for a prospective home health aide from a job creation standpoint.
The US Bureau of Labor predicts that there will be a spike of at least 32 percent in this particular job sector before 2026 arrives.
Is this in line with the national average?
The National Institute of Health actually requires home health aides to complete 120 hours of additional training, so Alabama students do not have to complete as big of a workload as what is required in other states.
