Where to Find HHA Training in Washington State
Are you looking into being a home health aide (HHA) also known as a home care aide (HCA) in Washington State? Great! We’re here to show you how and where to find HHA training in Washington State.
It’s an entry-level career that has a high demand and many opportunities for growth.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the HHA career field predicted to grow by 41% in ten years. Once you have the proper training. you won’t have trouble finding a job.
If you want to find HCA/HHA training in Washington state, we’re here to help. Read on for more tips and tricks to finding the best training you can in your area.
We’re looking forward to you succeeding in your new HCA career in Washington State!
Requirements to Become a HHA in Washington State
To start an HHA training program, you must have completed your high school education. If you haven’t finished high school, you instead earn your GED, or general education diploma.
This is the only prerequisite required to begin a HHA/HCA program.
To receive your certificate, you must have 75 hours of HCA/HHA training. All programs must have a certification from the Washington State Department of Health.
If you do not complete a certified course, you will not be able to work in a Medicare-approved facility.
After successful completion of HCA training, you must then pass a home care aide certification examination to receive your Home Care Aide license.
You’ll also need to submit a completed Home Care Aide application and employment verification form to within 14 days of being hired for work.
To begin working as a home care aide, you must have been certified within 200 days of the hire date.
Home Health Aide training in Washington State
Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services’ website keeps a list of courses. Using their menu, you can find an approved course near you.
All courses are 75 hours unless you have already completed orientation. Orientation counts for five hours. You will only have to complete 70 hours if you have already had your orientation
Many areas in Washington State have venues that offer the full course or continuing education. The following, in-person training centers also offer the full range of 75-hour courses and continuing education:
Agape Healthcare Services
Agape Healthcare Services in the counties of King, Pierce, Snohomish offers a 75-hour training course containing the required instruction to become a caregiver.
The course includes core basic training, population specific training, dementia specialty training, continues education, mental health specific training, orientation specific training, nursing delegation core training and CPR training.
Location:
240 Auburn Way S, Ste. 2A
Auburn, Washington 98002
Phone: 253-329-2441
Brilliant Concept Trainers, LLC.
Approved by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Brilliant Concept Trainers offers certification courses to become a certified HCA.
This woman-owned company was founded in 2020 and has instructors that are trained and contracted by the Washington State DSHS. The 75-hour course is taught in 3 segments: Orientation and Safety Training, Core Basic Training, and Population Specific Training.
This training agency also offers continuing education, CPR/First Aid and AED training, nurse delegation training and a 4-hour finishing school course to teach social graces and cultural rituals.
Location:
7406 27th Street West, Suite 12
University Place, WA 98466
Phone: 253-426-0259
Cascade Connections
Cascade Connections, which empowers those with disabilities to enhance their quality of life, offers a HCA 75-hour training program certification.
The program’s curriculum includes training for orientation and safety (5 hours), core curriculum (40 hours), and population specific.
The program is state approved and accredited. Upon completion you will be prepared for a career in caregiving.
Location:
P.O. Box 3174
Ferndale, WA 98248
Phone: 360-714-9355
North Care Training
Located in Lynnwood, North Care Training offers a 75-hour HCA training course.
Training includes instruction for level 1 mental health and dementia , core basic, HIV/AIDS, food handling, diabetes, and nurse delegation.
If your looking to advance your HCA career, they also offer a NAC Bridge course. This course will provide certification as a Nursing Assistance.
Location:
3717 196th St. SW, Suite 203
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone: 425-239-5027
Can I Take HCA/HHA Training Online?
Yes. There are online HHA courses approved by the Department of Social and Health Services. However, you may need to verify this yourself before enrolling.
The DSHS is strict about your course complying with their regulations. Failing to do so could result in you repeating the course.
The online courses are also the same 75 hours as the in-person courses.
The following is an online training location:
Washington Care Academy
Washington Care Academy provides a 75-hour home care aide hybrid online training course that is DSHS approved.
The training is self-paced via learning modules along with 2 days of hands on training. Included in the training program is orientation and safety training (5 hours), population specific training (16 hours) and core basic training (54 hours).
The program is Vocation School approved by the Washington State Vocational School Board. Each of the online training modules are interactive and tracks scoring.
Location:
128 – 10th Avenue Southwest
Olympia, Washington, 98501
Phone: 360-709-4600
Are There Other Courses You Can Take?
You can also take several other courses while, or after, you receive your HHA. These include a course in continuing education, nurse delegation, and diabetes.
There is also a course in adult education training and AFH (Adult Family Home) administration training.
Individual providers (IPs) can take courses out of compliance. These include a 7-hour course on the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Parent Provider and a 30-hour course on adult children.
What Happens When You Complete 75 Hours of Training?
After you have completed the required 75 hours of training, you will take a test. This is a necessary and required step to gaining your license. You will not be able to practice with the training alone.
It comprises of a written exam and a skills exam. You must satisfactorily complete both aspects of the exam.
You must take the test at one of the designated test sites. Each county has at least one. You should not have a problem finding a convenient site for you.
Applying for a License
After you pass your exam, you will apply for your license. You will be fingerprinted and the Department of Social and Health Services will run a background check on you. This is because some felonies bar you from working as an HHA or any kind of health professional.
Before your background check, you will answer a list of personal questions. Beyond your name, birthdate, and other information, you will be required to provide information on any convictions or pending charges.
You must include a copy of the original complaint as well as the outcome. If you have a legal case against you pending, you must indicate this with proof.
The Department of Social and Health Services will then conduct a final review. If they are satisfied you have completed the requirements, you will have your license granted.
In the case of denial, you can request a formal appeal.
Do I Need to Continue My Education After My License Approval?
Once you begin working as an HCA/HHA, your education does not finish!
Each year, you must take 12 hours of continuing education courses. You can locate them on the Department of Social and Health Services’ website.
These continuing education courses are required for you to renew your license each year. You must renew your license each year within 90 days of its expiration.
Your credentials expire each year on your birthday, which makes it easy to remember.
Which Course Do I Choose?
Choosing HHA training in Washington state should not be a difficult task. You should use the Washington Department of Social and Health Services website to locate the course nearest to you.
Once you have located it, you will enroll in that course. If you cannot attend a course in person due to time constraints, you may attend an approved class online.
The state of Washington makes it simple to verify who is and who is not accredited.
The courses will cover the same topics no matter where you take them. As such, your location does not matter.
For more information on becoming a health home aide, visit our website.
More HHA Training Articles
Do you need help finding Home Health Aide training in other locations throughout the United States?
Please check out these helpful articles to get the relevant information you need for great HHA training in: Alabama, Arizona, Atlanta, Brooklyn, California, Chicago, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, New York City (NYC), Ohio, Philadelphia, South Carolina, Texas, the Bronx, Virginia, and Washington.
