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Perhaps you want to work as a home health aide in Iowa.
If so, you should read the info we have brought you below.
You will get to find out more about the certification requirements and salary expectations.
Article Table of Contents
Ideal Candidate in Iowa
To get hired as a home health aide, you need to develop some skills such as:
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- Compassion and communication
- Being able to drive a car
- Having the physical ability to complete your tasks
You should also know how to cook, and ideally know how to take care of pets.
Speaking a second language is also an advantage that will bring you more career opportunities.
Training and Education in Iowa
In Iowa, you will need to become licensed before getting hired by a home health agency.
This particularly true if the agency is certified by Medicare.
Luckily, home health aides can get get a license quite easily.
You will first need to enroll in a training program.
The program must consist of 75 hours of training.
From these, 16 hours should be focused on physical practice.
Upon receiving your license, you will have to take 12 extra hours of class on an annual basis.
The training programs for home health aides in Iowa don’t have a long duration.
Most of them can be finished in only a few weeks.
If you want to advance in your career, you can consider getting an associate’s degree.
Such a degree will take about 2 years to complete.
The classes you will attend during your training program include:
- Processes of development and aging
- Personal care services
- Infection control
- Nutrition
- Maintaining the least restrictive environment
- Body mechanics
- Assistive technology
The schools that provide training programs in Iowa are:
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | 306 W River Dr Davenport IA |
| Iowa Central Community College | 330 Ave M Fort Dodge IA |
| Iowa State University of Science & Technology | 213 Beardshear Ames IA |
| Iowa Western Community College | 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | 4647 Stone Ave Sioux City IA |
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In order to get a license, you will also have to pass an exam.
This exam will be available at the end of your program.
Some of the criteria you need to meet to enroll in a program include:
- Being 18 years old
- However, there are some programs who accept students who are only 16 years old
- A high-school diploma or an equivalent such as GED
- Pass a background check
- Pass a tuberculosis test
You will also be required to take and pass a drug test.
You may have to take a test in English, reading, and math.
Sometimes, employers choose to cover program tuition.
Employment and Salary in Iowa
The prognosis is generally good in Iowa.
You will have good chances for a high salary in the state’s more developed regions.
Home health aides with more experience or schooling usually also make more money.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $24,632 |
| Cedar Rapids | $24,158 |
| Davenport | $24,049 |
| Sioux City | $21,184 |
| Iowa City | $23,960 |
| Waterloo | $23,018 |
| Ames | $24,403 |
| West Des Moines | $24,632 |
| Council Bluffs | $24,073 |
| Ankeny | $24,632 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 490 | $32,550 | $15.65 | $39,930 | $24,780 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,860 | $33,690 | $16.2 | $42,330 | $25,850 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 2,120 | $30,040 | $14.44 | $38,580 | $23,140 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 4,930 | $32,060 | $15.41 | $39,440 | $24,610 |
| Dubuque, IA | 890 | $34,530 | $16.6 | $43,900 | $28,270 |
| Iowa City, IA | 1,480 | $31,370 | $15.08 | $39,980 | $24,340 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1,100 | $33,030 | $15.88 | $41,800 | $27,640 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 1,220 | $30,020 | $14.43 | $36,530 | $22,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
In Iowa, some of the biggest entities that hire include:
- Iowa Health System: This is the biggest employer in the state, and offers several benefit packages.
- Iowa Health-Des Moines: This center is made up of 3 different facilities, and provides good employee benefits.
- Mercy Hospital Medical Center-Des Moines: Located in a central area, the hospital offers paid leave, disability benefits, and more.
- Genesis Health System
- Care Initiatives
Other info about home health aides in Iowa
This is a position that may require you to stand on your feet for many hours.
Some of the job duties include feeding the client and assisting them with other basic life tasks.
You may have to work at night and sometimes on the weekend.
Generally, you will be under the supervision of a licensed nursed or therapist.
While some home health aides work in homes, others work in hospitals.
Before you can start working, you will first need to train.
This will ensure that you have the needed skills to start a fruitful career in the medical field.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
HHA Schools by State