You want to help people and you live in West Virginia.
What could be a better fit than becoming a home health aide?
Here are some tips on how to get started in this field in Mountain State.
There are a few things you need to do before you can start working as a home health aide in West Virginia.
First, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You will also need to pass a criminal background check.
Once you have all of that taken care of, you can start the process of becoming a home health aide by taking a training program.
There are a few different options for training programs, but the most popular one is the Home Health Aide Training Program offered by the American Red Cross.
This program will teach you everything you need to know about being a home health aide, including how to provide personal care, how to take vital signs, and how to help with meals and exercise.
Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a competency exam.
Once you have passed the exam, you will be registered as a home health aide in West Virginia and will be able to start looking for work.
There are a few different places where you can look for work as a home health aide in West Virginia.
One option is to work for a home health agency.
These agencies typically serve a specific area and have a staff of home health aides that they send out to visit patients in their homes.
Another option is to work for a hospice.
Hospices provide care for people who are in the final stages of a terminal illness.
Home health aides who work for hospices typically provide care for the patients in their own homes.
You can also work for a nursing home.
Nursing homes typically have a staff of home health aides who provide care for the residents.
Once you have found a job that you are interested in, you will need to fill out an application and go through an interview process.
Once you have been hired, you will be able to start working as a home health aide in West Virginia.
Page Navigation
- Education
- Salaries for Home Health Aides in West Virginia
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the qualifications for becoming a Home Health Aide at a Medicare-certified home health agency in West Virginia?
- How can I tell which home health agencies in West Virginia are the best?
- What are some other employment options for Home Health Aides in West Virginia?
- What is an example of one such non-Medicare agency for Home Health Aides in West Virginia?
- What are the non-Medicare agencies and funding sources for Home Health Aides like in West Virginia?
Education
There are many different home health aide schools in West Virginia that can provide you with the education and training you need to become a certified home health aide.
Here are five of the best:
West Virginia University
Located in Morgantown, West Virginia University offers a Home Health Aide Certificate program that can be completed in just four weeks.
The program costs $1,200 and includes all course materials, textbooks, and supplies.
Upon completion, students are eligible to take the state certification exam.
Mountwest Community & Technical College
Located in Huntington, Mountwest Community & Technical College offers a Home Health Aide Certificate program that can be completed in just six weeks.
The program costs $1,350 and includes all course materials, textbooks, and supplies.
Upon completion, students are eligible to take the state certification exam.
Blue Ridge Community & Technical College
Located in Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community & Technical College offers a Home Health Aide Certificate program that can be completed in just four weeks.
The program costs $1,200 and includes all course materials, textbooks, and supplies.
Upon completion, students are eligible to take the state certification exam.
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
Located in South Charleston, BridgeValley Community & Technical College offers a Home Health Aide Certificate program that can be completed in just four weeks.
The program costs $1,200 and includes all course materials, textbooks, and supplies.
Upon completion, students are eligible to take the state certification exam.
Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College
Located in Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College offers a Home Health Aide Certificate program that can be completed in just four weeks.
The program costs $1,200 and includes all course materials, textbooks, and supplies.
Upon completion, students are eligible to take the state certification exam.
Home Health Aide Schools in West Virginia – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in West Virginia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV 26506 |
| Mountwest Community & Technical College | 1 Mountwest Way, Huntington, WV 25701 |
| Blue Ridge Community & Technical College | 13650 Apple Harvest Dr, Martinsburg, WV 25403 |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | 168 4th Ave, Montgomery, WV 25136 |
| Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College | 316 Eastern Dr, Moorefield, WV 26836 |
Salaries for Home Health Aides in West Virginia
According to Salary.com, as of October 27, 2022, the average annual Home Health Aide salary in West Virginia is $24,610.
The salary range typically falls between $22,853 and $27,311 and can vary depending on experience, education, and location.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in West Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $25,098 |
| Huntington | $24,610 |
| Parkersburg | $24,467 |
| Wheeling | $26,974 |
| Morgantown | $26,974 |
| Weirton | $26,882 |
| Fairmont | $26,974 |
| Beckley | $24,878 |
| Clarksburg | $24,247 |
| Martinsburg | $30,534 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 1,490 | $24,130 | $11.6 | $29,730 | $20,650 |
| Charleston, WV | 2,980 | $25,850 | $12.43 | $30,590 | $20,980 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 4,040 | $26,690 | $12.83 | $33,310 | $22,160 |
| Morgantown, WV | 1,250 | $25,070 | $12.05 | $30,700 | $19,850 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 1,300 | $25,690 | $12.35 | $30,050 | $21,460 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 620 | $26,020 | $12.51 | $33,000 | $21,810 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 1,140 | $26,540 | $12.76 | $31,630 | $22,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the qualifications for becoming a Home Health Aide at a Medicare-certified home health agency in West Virginia?
Home health aides from West Virginia who work for Medicare-approved organizations must adhere to federal training and competency standards.
A minimum of 75 total hours, including at least 16 hours of practicum, must be included in training programs.
How can I tell which home health agencies in West Virginia are the best?
For accredited home health agencies, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have issued star ratings.
There are two ratings: one based on quantifiable indicators of the quality of the care, the other on patient feedback.
In both of the two categories, some home health agencies in West Virginia have received ratings of 4.5 or 5.
Additionally, organizations that provide home care, including some that are not Medicare-certified, occasionally are rated by third parties.
What are some other employment options for Home Health Aides in West Virginia?
Home health aides in West Virginia can work in a range of places, such as intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities.
People with intellectual disabilities who may also have physical health issues are cared for in these facilities.
In West Virginia, intermediate care institutions work to create a comfortable atmosphere.
What is an example of one such non-Medicare agency for Home Health Aides in West Virginia?
Seniors in need of assistance with mobility, nutrition, personal care, and housekeeping can receive it through Lighthouse, a sliding-scale service, for $1.50 to $16.00 per hour.
What are the non-Medicare agencies and funding sources for Home Health Aides like in West Virginia?
There are numerous government-funded initiatives that offer help with daily activities, however, some of the organizations are not Medicare-certified.
Their overall focus could be different; for instance, they might put more emphasis on providing personal care than skilled services.
Home health aides are simply one service offered by accredited home health businesses.
