If you have a passion for helping others, a career as a home health aide (also known as HHA or CNA) could be a dream come true.
Your first step on this path should be to get your home health aide certification.
Meeting the requirements to get your certification is all that stands between you and your future profession.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to start your journey to become a home health aide in Rhode Island.
Page Navigation
- 5 Home Health Aide Schools in Rhode Island
- Salary for Caregivers and Home Health Aides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to keep up my certification in Rhode Island?
- Can I take any class that claims to offer CNA training even if it’s not in Rhode Island?
- What kind of medical care will I have to provide?
- Will I be done with classes once I get my RI certification?
- Do I have to work through an agency in Rhode Island?
- Can I become an HHA for a family member in Rhode Island?
5 Home Health Aide Schools in Rhode Island
It’s important to note that Rhode Island requires an HHA to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
While you don’t have to become a CNA immediately, care experience as an HHA may help meet the requirements to become certified in RI.
You can sign up for the CNA exam when all requirements are met.
Selecting the right school or training program to become an HHA and/or CNA is crucial to achieving your goals.
Here are five options, what they offer, and their requirements:
HiTEP
Every caregiver will eventually need to meet specific requirements in Rhode Island, and the course offered through HiTEP in Providence makes that easy.
You can both work on your home health aide education and get your CNA certification through this training.
The six-week program costs $1,300.
To apply, you must be able to provide your GED or high school diploma, pass a criminal background check, and take a tuberculosis skin test.
HiTEP also offers instruction in Spanish for those who need it.
Cranston Adult Education
Training for a new career or improving your current skill set is easy with Cranston Adult Education’s medical vocational training.
Their 15-week program has a fee of $850, which is a fair price to invest in yourself and your future career.
All students must pass a criminal background check, a TB skin test, and a physical exam.
See the education center’s website for up-to-date requirements regarding COVID-19 and personal protective gear required at enrollment.
Community College of Rhode Island
It may not be a person’s first thought to look at a community college for vocational training, but the Community College of Rhode Island offers comprehensive training across multiple campuses.
For $1,400, this 12-week course offers skills labs, lectures, and clinical experience.
Students should expect their clinicals to be during the last 1 ½ weeks of classes.
This course is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health, giving your certification credibility.
Students must have a GED or high school diploma and be able to pass a physical and reading comprehension exam to enroll.
Newport Community School
Classes through the Newport Community School for CNA certification are held at the Aquidneck Island Adult Learning Center.
For $975, students receive textbooks, a workbook, scrubs, and other relevant tools.
The enrollment cost also includes CPR certification and state testing fees.
This is an approved course through the RI Department of Health.
Content will include lectures and hands-on learning in labs.
Students will also get their clinical training in a nursing facility.
All About Home Care
For those who want to experience the benefits of becoming a home health aide right away, this company offers just that.
If you apply to All About Home Care and are offered a home health aide contract at their Warwick or Middletown locations, you will receive the training you need.
You can pursue your CNA and CPR certification and other valuable training while on the job for hands-on experience.
This option does come with a long-term commitment to work with this service.
But if you want to work while learning about home health aide duties and completing your CNA certification, this may be the perfect opportunity.
Home Health Aide Schools in Rhode Island – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Rhode Island
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| HiTEP | |
| Cranston Adult Education | 83 Rolfe Square Cranston, RI 02910 |
| Community College of Rhode Island | 400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886 |
| Newport Community School | 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840 |
| All About Home Care | 809 Aquidneck Ave Unit 202A, Middletown, RI 02842 |
Salary for Caregivers and Home Health Aides
Income for home health aides in a larger city like Providence is just under $29,000.
In fact, income throughout the state hovers around that same price point, fluctuating only around $1,000 to $2,000.
Since Rhode Island requires a CNA certification, the income expectations for that job should be around $36,000, give or take, depending on your city.
According to that number, the proper training and investment in education to become a CNA is worth it.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in Rhode Island
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Coventry | $28,946 |
| Cranston | $29,001 |
| Cumberland | $29,001 |
| East Providence | $29,001 |
| Newport | $29,100 |
| Woonsocket | $28,974 |
| Providence | $29,001 |
| Warwick | $29,001 |
| Pawtucket | $29,001 |
| Westerly | $29,390 |
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 11,510 | $38,360 | $18.44 | $47,770 | $31,550 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to keep up my certification in Rhode Island?
For a nursing assistant renewal, the fee is $35.00.
Can I take any class that claims to offer CNA training even if it’s not in Rhode Island?
If you want a valid certificate, you’ll want to ensure that your program is approved by RI.
It can be incredibly tempting to sign up for a class that’s entirely online and inexpensive.
However, those courses might not prepare you to be able to get your certification.
In this case, you may not be able to work as a CNA in Rhode Island.
What kind of medical care will I have to provide?
In Rhode Island, your role as a caregiver or HHA will limit the support you provide to general household tasks and possibly some assistance with personal care.
However, when you advance to your role as a CNA, you’ll instead be responsible for monitoring vitals and more medical-based care.
Will I be done with classes once I get my RI certification?
The medical field is constantly evolving, and you’ll need to keep up with compliance training to continue working.
Many training programs can be repeated yearly, but advances are frequent in the medical field.
You’ll want to keep up with those changes in whatever way you can.
Do I have to work through an agency in Rhode Island?
Since RI requires caregivers to become certified as CNAs, getting your education and clinical hours through an agency might be a good idea.
It can also help to have an agency provide you with your paycheck rather than a private arrangement.
If that option isn’t for you, many people work through their insurance to be able to select their own aide.
These clients will pay you directly.
Can I become an HHA for a family member in Rhode Island?
Yes, but it depends on the situation, the kind of services the person needs, and what insurance covers.
The person requiring care must speak with their insurance carrier and apply through their insurance.
