One of the most important qualities a Home Health Aide (HHA) should exhibit in their field of work is empathy.
This quality is strongly followed by patience.
HHAs primarily work with patients who are most fragile and most in need, including the elderly, the disabled, and those that need temporary assistance.
To be successful in this field, candidates must possess strong communication skills, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
The state of Illinois does not require HHAs to be licensed but does require that they attend a suitably qualified training program prior to entering the field.
5 Home Health Aide Schools in Illinois
1. Solex College
Solex College is located in Wheeling, Illinois.
Solex College offers a two-month Certified Nurse Assistant program on campus and full-time.
Tuition for the program is $1,000.
The program consists of two parts:
- Basic nurse assistant theory
- Basic nurse assistant practical
The course comprises five credit hours and 120 contact hours.
Students get practical hands-on experience, under the supervision of a clinical instructor.
Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Exam.
2. Chicago Community Learning Center
Chicago Community Learning Center is located in Chicago, Illinois, and offers a 120-hour nurse aide/CPR program that may be completed over eight to ten weeks.
The program is divided into 80 hours of in-person, classroom theory, and 40 hours of clinical work.
The program aims to prepare students to work in long-term care facilities and other clinical settings where patients require basic bedside assistance.
During theory, students are introduced to the basics of healthcare, given in-depth instruction on basic nursing care, knowledge of body structure and function, as well as communication skills.
Students are assigned to clinical settings where they gain valuable experience under the supervision of an instructor.
Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Illinois State Certification Exam for Certified Nursing Aide.
Tuition for the program is $1,635.
3. City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago located in Chicago, Illinois, offers a Patient Care Technician, Basic Certificate.
The program comprises two topics:
- Patient Care Technician Training
- BNA fundamentals/clinical
Each course is made up of eight credit hours for a total of 16 credit hours.
Classes run from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 am to 16:00 pm.
This program prepares students to take the National Healthcare Certification (NHA) examination.
Students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to become successful in their chosen careers.
Tuition for this program is $146.00 per credit hour for in-district students, $384.00 per credit hour for out-of-district students, and $481.00 for out-of-state students.
4. Triton College
Triton College is located in River Grove, Illinois.
The school offers a nursing aide certificate program.
This program is based on selective admission and there is an intake every fall.
The program comprises a total of seven credit hours.
Subjects include Basic Nurse Assistant for six credit hours and Nurse Assistant: Care of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease for one credit hour.
The program prepares nursing students to provide healthcare in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of a registered nurse.
The program is divided into theory, lab work, and clinical work.
There are additional elective courses that students may complete to gain knowledge on ethical and legal responsibilities, venipuncture, medical terminology, and electrocardiography.
Tuition for this 12-week program is:
- In-District: $143.00 per credit hour
- Out-of-District: $367.00 per credit hour
- Out-of-State/International Visa: $465.00 per credit hour
5. Truman College
Truman College is located in Chicago, Illinois.
The school offers a 10-week Basic Nursing Assistant program.
Classes run in the day and evening.
Day classes run for ten weeks and evening classes run for 14 weeks.
Tuition for the program is $960 and this does not include the price of textbooks or other costs.
Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the state competency examination.
Additional costs include $300 for the physical exam, criminal background check, uniform, and medical supplies, as well as the state competency examination.
A high school diploma or GED is highly recommended for the course but is not a requirement.
The program prepares students for a career in the healthcare industry.
Home Health Aide Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Illinois
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Solex College | 180 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 |
| Chicago Community Learning Center | 840 W Irving Park Rd Suite # 203, Chicago, IL 60613 |
| City Colleges of Chicago | 180 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL |
| Triton College | 2000 5th Ave, River Grove, IL 60171 |
| Harry S Truman College | 1145 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 |
Salary
The average annual salary for a Home Health Aide in Springfield, Illinois is $30,726.
This calculates to approximately $15 an hour, $591 a week, or $2,561 a month on the high end for an entry-level position.
The salary varies according to the exact location in the state of Illinois, the type of employer, and the number of years of experience the candidate has.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $29,231 |
| Rockford | $27,134 |
| Aurora | $28,987 |
| Naperville | $28,705 |
| Peoria | $26,613 |
| Springfield | $25,431 |
| Joliet | $28,505 |
| Elgin | $28,734 |
| Waukegan | $27,585 |
| Cicero | $29,231 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 810 | $30,030 | $14.44 | $34,650 | $28,660 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 1,350 | $28,150 | $13.54 | $29,380 | $24,960 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 830 | $32,100 | $15.43 | $37,710 | $28,440 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 82,340 | $32,580 | $15.66 | $35,670 | $29,610 |
| Danville, IL | 190 | $30,040 | $14.44 | $36,240 | $24,960 |
| Decatur, IL | 500 | $30,390 | $14.61 | $36,030 | $27,050 |
| Kankakee, IL | 480 | $30,240 | $14.54 | $35,290 | $26,200 |
| Peoria, IL | 1,630 | $29,630 | $14.25 | $34,530 | $25,280 |
| Rockford, IL | 2,190 | $31,360 | $15.08 | $36,400 | $27,920 |
| Springfield, IL | 1,010 | $29,930 | $14.39 | $35,950 | $25,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HHAs need a license to work in the state of Illinois?
No.
HHAs are not required to obtain any license.
The agencies that hire HHAs do, however, need to be licensed.
Are HHAs and CNAs in the same position?
No, HHAs provide non-medical assistance and work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
An HHA usually works with one patient at a time, while a CNA may be responsible for several patients at a time or on a floor at a healthcare facility.
What is the minimum age to start working as an HHA in Illinois?
Candidates as young as 17 may apply to a training program to qualify as an HHA in Illinois.
