Can you do home health care with no schooling?

Question

Can you do home health care with no schooling?

Answer 1

For your own relatives, yes.  As a business, no.  You need to have certification, which won't happen without a medical education.  Medicine, including home health care, is a highly regulated business.

Answer 2

State laws vary.  It depends at what level you are planning to work.  Registered and practical nurses must graduate from accredited programs, take the state licensing exams and many agencies request experience before they will put a nurse in a home setting alone.  

Home health aides generally have to go through a minimal training class with clinicals.  It doesn't generally take very long and many times, the company that hires you has these classes available.  Check the want ads on a Sunday and there are usually a long list of agencies providing classes.  One other alternative is to set up an appt with a home health agency recruiter and just ask your questions.  They will surely be able to guide you in specific requirements for your state.  

Companions generally need training similar to home health aides and provide minimal hands on care, housekeeping and meal prep, errands, etc.

As someone stated above, you can do care for your own family members without formal training, but if the care is being directed by a home health agency, the nurse case manager will provide you with instructions and training as needed.

Answer 3

If you work for an agency. I worked for one last summer. I had to go in and read a booklet and answer some questions from the booklet I just read. I also viewed a film that took about 20 min. I then was interviewed, had my photo taken and waited for the calls. I had to have proof of  a recent t b test or go get one and a valid social security card and drivers license.

It was like a nurses registry where people call them and then they call and see if you want to go to the job. This particular agency was to help the elderly be able to stay at home longer. I met  many wonderful, sweet, intelligent, independent elderly people. You can work as much as you like.

If you want to start your own home health care business then you will need a license and the qualifications very by state.