To start working as a home health aide, you are required to have a State-approved Nursing Aide program certificate with up to at least 85 hours of training which includes practical work and is required to pass the state examination.
Other requirements include passing a criminal background check and a drug test.
Home Health Aides (HHA) usually work under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.
5 Home Health Aide Schools in North Carolina
There are various state-approved schools in North Carolina that offer direct home health care programs and certified nursing programs.
We have listed a few below:
1. Gaston College
Gaston College offers a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course which consists of a total of 40 hours.
Due to clinical compliance requirements, all Nurse Aid students are obligated to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza and to have proof of these vaccinations.
The program introduces the basic nursing skills that are needed to provide personal care for elderly, disabled, or ill people in a healthcare setting.
After the completion of the course, students are eligible to take the NC Division of Health Service Regulation Nurse Aide Registry Exam.
The school tuition cost is $230.
School Address: 1 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 2803
2. Unity Nursing Institute
Unity Nursing Institute offers a Nurse Aide Certificate program.
The program topics include:
- Human Anatomy / Body Mechanics
- Nutrition
- Disease Management and Symptom Control
- Personal Care
- Care Practices and Techniques and Age-Specific Training
- Infection Control Procedures
- Safety and Emergency Patient Care Delivery
- Communication Skills
- Taking and Monitoring Patient’s Vital Signs
- Mobility Skills Training and Support
After the successful completion of the program, candidates will be eligible to write the CNA state exam which costs an additional $140.
Students will also be required to go for a drug and background test, which is $80.
There is a $25.00 registration fee.
Tuition is $650.00 plus the Lab fee, which is $70.00.
There are other expenses like uniforms and supplies that can be found on the school website.
School Address: 5715 Westpark Dr. Ste 202, Charlotte, NC 28217.
3. College of the Albemarle
College of the Albemarle offers a Nursing Aide Program which consists of a total of 160 hours.
All students must be vaccinated against Covid-19 and have their proof of vaccination when registering.
The course topics include:
- Safety and Emergencies
- Patient rights
- Communication
- Personal care
- Vital signs
- Elimination
- Nutrition
- Rehabilitation
Upon successfully completing the program, students are eligible to take the competency examination.
This exam is offered through PearsonVue.
Candidates who pass the examination are listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry.
The school’s total tuition and other additional fees, including books, supplies, rooms, etc, is $14,324.
School Address: 1208 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
4. Davidson County Community College
Davidson County Community College offers a 158-hour Nursing Assistant program.
All students are obligated to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and to have proof of their vaccination.
After having completed the program, candidates will be eligible to write the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam.
The school’s full tuition can be found on its website.
School Address: 297 Davidson Community College Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360.
5. Umanah Healthcare Institute
Umanah Healthcare Institute offers a Certified Nursing Assistant program which consists of 2.5 weeks – 4 months.
Students are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and have proof of vaccination when applying.
After having completed the CNA program, candidates are eligible to take and pass the CNA NNAAP state exam.
The school’s tuition fee ranges from $500 to $1000.
School Address: 5801 Executive Center Dr. 103, Charlotte, NC 28212.
Home Health Aide Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in North Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Gaston College | 1 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 2803 |
| Unity Nursing Institute | 5715 Westpark Dr. Ste 202, Charlotte, NC 28217 |
| College of the Albemarle | 1208 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 |
| Davidson County Community College | 297 Davidson Community College Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360 |
| Umanah Healthcare Institute | 5801 Executive Center Dr. 103, Charlotte, NC 28212 |
Salary
The average annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in Raleigh, North Carolina is $32,214.
This is calculated to be approximately $154 an hour, $620 a week, or $2,685 a month on the high end for an entry-level position.
The salary varies according to the exact location in North Carolina state, the type of employer, and the number of years of experience the candidate has.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in North Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $26,990 |
| Raleigh | $26,663 |
| Greensboro | $26,332 |
| Durham | $26,509 |
| Winston-Salem | $26,396 |
| Fayetteville | $25,283 |
| Cary | $26,663 |
| High Point | $26,489 |
| Wilmington | $25,131 |
| Asheville | $25,327 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 2,890 | $30,110 | $14.48 | $36,630 | $23,010 |
| Burlington, NC | 860 | $27,460 | $13.2 | $34,080 | $21,230 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 13,570 | $30,400 | $14.62 | $36,620 | $23,350 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 2,430 | $31,050 | $14.93 | $36,940 | $23,850 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 2,000 | $26,610 | $12.79 | $33,090 | $21,390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 1,220 | $32,440 | $15.6 | $36,250 | $23,690 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 4,810 | $28,240 | $13.58 | $34,950 | $22,200 |
| Greenville, NC | 1,400 | $27,410 | $13.18 | $33,630 | $22,410 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 2,020 | $28,550 | $13.73 | $34,400 | $22,000 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 430 | $27,760 | $13.35 | $36,420 | $20,430 |
| New Bern, NC | 990 | $28,400 | $13.65 | $36,300 | $22,220 |
| Raleigh, NC | 6,930 | $30,740 | $14.78 | $36,210 | $24,010 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 880 | $27,140 | $13.05 | $33,490 | $21,460 |
| Wilmington, NC | 2,110 | $29,290 | $14.08 | $35,350 | $22,900 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 3,580 | $29,230 | $14.05 | $35,630 | $22,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Home Health Aide valid for?
Candidates who opt for a CNA qualification to work in this field will be required to obtain a CNA license.
A CNA license is valid for up to 24 months.
After that, you are responsible for renewing your license, each time prior to the expiration date, in order for you to keep practicing as a Health Aide.
You can simply register to renew your license online by filling in the needed information and submitting your renewal.
Do HHAs require a license to practice in the field?
Yes.
Home health aides must be Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs) before they can work, so it is essential to undergo the necessary training programs to obtain this certificate.
Is North Carolina a reciprocity state?
Yes, North Carolina is a reciprocity state.
Candidates who opt to study a nursing program may work in other reciprocity states.
This means a nurse who resides in the state of North Carolina and holds an unencumbered North Carolina nursing license will have the privilege to practice with that license in any of the other Compact States.
But, out-of-state private duty nursing employment does not qualify for reciprocity.
What are the annual fees for holding my license?
The registration fee for the licensure application is $560.00.
