We're excited to announce that Metrowest Healthcare Academy has officially changed its name to Pathway Vocational Institute of Health! Our name has changed, but our commitment to quality healthcare education remains the same under the same ownership and management.

Course Description

The Home Health Aide is a 75-hour hybrid program that teaches students how to help the elderly, the disabled, and people in ill health to maintain their quality of life and independence at home. Focus is on safety and universal precautions; moving and lifting patients; cleanliness and infection control; caring for children, the elderly, and the dying; and patient health, hygiene, and nutrition. Students learn how to check and report on vital signs, handle special situations, and perform emergency procedures.


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Course Objectives

After completing the Home Health Aide program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the role of the home health aide, outline the responsibilities involved in caring for home-bound patients, and differentiate the home health aide’s role from that of other care providers.
  2. Explain how to create a safe environment for the home health aide and the patient by identifying and describing OSHA regulations and other safe care requirements.
  3. Identify and describe proper communication skills with patients, families, other healthcare providers, and insurance companies.
  4. Describe typical duties and care responsibilities for patients of all ages and levels of health, with a focus on identifying issues and care concerns for specific populations.
  5. Identify credible sources of dietary information and describe how to plan, purchase, store, and serve food to patients with different dietary restrictions and health concerns.
  6. Identify and describe specific care regimens performed by the home health aide.
  7. Identify and describe exercises designed to help patients gain and maintain strength and flexibility.
  8. Explain how to take and record vital signs and collect bodily specimens for testing.
Young doctor performs a peripheral catheter installation and blood sampling for analysis. Use of infusion pump

COURSE OUTLINE

Subject Title Total Hours Class Hours Skills Practice
Introduction to Aide and Agency Role 2 2 0
Bloodborne Pathogens, Safety in the Home Environment, Preventing Violence & Safe Patient Handling 10 8 2
Specialized Care (Basic Body Movements & Positioning, Skin Care & Personal Care, Rehabilitation, Vital Signs, Fluid Balance & Specimen Collection, Special Procedures, Common Diseases, Emergency Procedures) 34 20 14
Home Care Fundamentals (Providing Care in the Home, Communication Skills & Working with People, Caring for the Elderly Patient, Working with Children, Caring for the Dying in the Home, Infection Control, Cleanliness, & Safety in the Home, Meal Planning, Shopping, Preparation, and Storage) 24.5 15 9.5
Medications in the Home 3 2 0
Managing Time, Energy, and Money in the Home 1.5 1.5 0
Total Clock Hours 75 49.5 25.5
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Enrollment Requirements

Tuition Fees

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