Home Health Aide

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Home Health Aids perform basic patient care under the supervision of an RN, LPN, physician, or dentist. They are employed in acute care hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, office settings, or home care settings.

The Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program is offered fall or spring semester on the Opelika Campus as needed. Interested applicants should speak with a Financial Aid regarding the possibility of receiving federal aid for this program. See admission requirements below.

Approval: Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Healthcare Facilities
Degree Earned: Certificate
Length of Program: 1 - 2 semesters (19-21 credit hours)
Credentials Earned: Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide following passage of the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP). Certification is required by all long-term care facilities/nursing homes.

Helpful Student Resources

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program Application

Admission Requirements - Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NAS/HHA):

Admission to the Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NAS/HHA) requires general admission to Southern Union. In addition to the general admission requirements for the College, admission to the Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide (NAS/HHA) program requires :

1. unconditional admission to the College.
2. 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) calculated on previous coursework and clear academic status at Southern Union.
3. official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
4. eligibility for English 101 and Math 100 and satisfaction of the College reading requirement.
5. application for the Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Program.
6. ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
7. ability to meet all health/ clinical requirements as stated in current Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Student Handbook.

Admission to the NAS/HHA program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available.

Clinical requirements (after admission to the program):

1. Negative drug screen (cost added to tuition)
2. Clear criminal background checks may be required by some clinical agencies (at student's expense)
3. Completions of all Health Requirements (at student's expense):
   • Health Questionnaire signed by doctor, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant, verifying state of physical and mental health such that the student is able to complete all program requirements without presenting undue risk/harm to the student or other person.
   • ability to meet Essential Functions requirements as specified in the program of study. (Form requires physician/physician's assistant or nurisng practitioner signature.)
   • Tuberculin (Tb) skin test completed within one year (test results required). If results are positive, student must have chest x-ray.
   • proof of current immunizations for MMR (two MMR's required).
   • current CPR certification by American Heart Association, Health Care Provider level.
   • proof of tetanus, diptheria and pertussis vaccination (TDAP) within 10 years.
   • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or positive Varicella immunity blood test. If negative for chickenpox immunity, must have vaccine.
   • annual flu vaccination.

*Health requirements may change as required by clinical agencies. Additional information will be given at the orientation meeting.

NAS/HHA CURRICULUM

(Courses in bold print may be completed prior to program admission.)
 

Health Requirements and Forms

Students enrolling in a health science program must provide Southern Union State Community College with the required health care data after admission to the program. Clinical agencies mandate that students provide information regarding their current health status (annual physical and essential function) that may affect the safety of the student or the client in the clinical settings. Clinical agencies also require documentation of specific immunizations and proof that a criminal background checks and drug screen has been conducted. Various immunizations are required and are subject to change depending on the health care agency requirements. The student's health requirements must be on file in the Health Sciences building before the student can register for health science courses.

Clinical requirements must be kept current throughout the students' tenure in the program. The documentation will be reviewed initially upon entrance to the program and prior to each semester until program completion. Students may not register for classes if the required clinical documents are not up to date. Clinical documents such as Tb skin tests must not expire during the semester.

Immunizations

The Health Sciences Division must verify that all students have up-to-date immunizations. Students who do not have documentation of immunization must have blood drawn for titer to see if they are immune. The Health Sciences Student Requirements form provides details about how to meet clinical requirements. The Student health forms guidelines and physical forms are available for download below.

Due to contractual agreements with the clinical agencies, currently enrolled students may be required to obtain the seasonal flu shots as a clinical requirement.

Health Insurance

Students in the Health Sciences must demonstrate proof of health insurance. Students without proof of health insurance will not be allowed to register for health science courses or attend clinical.

Annual Physical Form
Clinical Requirement Checklist

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screens

Southern Union is contractually obligated to comply with requirements set forth by agencies used for clinical rotations. Health sciences students are required to have background checks and/or drug screens completed to meet the requirements of clinical agencies in accord with the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards. Background checks will be conducted by the vendor approved by the clinical agencies.

Students who are required to complete criminal background checks contract directly with the approved vendor and results are confidential. The clinical agency (ies) will make the decision to approve or deny the student for clinical privileges. Refusal of an agency to accept a student will prevent a student from completing the health sciences program. The student will be responsible for clearing any denials reported from the clinical agency. Students who are unable to resolve denials will be withdrawn from the health sciences program.

Refusal to sign the "Consent for Release of Information" form or refusal of access to a clinical agency will result in withdrawal or dismissal from the program.

Drug screens will be conducted at the beginning of scheduled coursework and at random throughout the program. Students who do not pass the drug screen will be withdrawn from the health sciences program.

Gainful Employment Information

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide
NAS/Home Health Aide CIP CODE 51:3902
Award year: 2010-11
U.S. Department of Labor's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 31-1014
On-Time Graduation Rate: *
Tuition and Fees for Program: $2300
Typical Cost of Books and Supplies: $150
Job Placement Rate: *
Median Loan Debt: *
* No students have enrolled in this college credit program since the program began January 2011