How to Become a Home Health Aide in Kentucky

In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has delegated its responsibility for Nurse Aide training to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

Kentucky groups home health aides and certified nurse assistants together as State Registered Nurse Aides.

Kentucky is the only state that uses that title, although Ohio has a similar one: the State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA).

Under Kentucky’s agreement, all nurse aide training runs through the Community and Technical College system.

Therefore, one number, (859) 256-3455, serves the state for all nurse aide questions.

Likewise, one official website: Kentucky Community and Technical College System Nurse Aide Training Programs, serves the entire Commonwealth.

Kentucky Requirements for Home Health Aides

All Kentucky SRNAs will need their high school diploma and transcript or equivalent, have a negative TB skin test, and attain age 18 before they begin the 16-hour clinical portion of their 75 training hours.

Home Health Aide Schools in Kentucky

Six of Kentucky’s community and technical college campuses provide nurse aide training for HHAs: Elizabethtown, Gateway, Hazard, Henderson, Jefferson, and Maysville. Their program titles vary.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College: Medicaid Nurse Aide — Kentucky Medication Aide

The ECTC program focuses on the needs of Medicaid-funded patients/clients requiring extended personal assistance and medical care.

Although many of these people reside in skilled nursing facilities, others “step down” into in-home care settings, especially those needing hospice and end-of-life services.

However, some patients/clients you visit at home may be children, teens, or adults with complex but stable ongoing medical needs.

You must:

• Pass a criminal background check,
• Have proof of receiving your Covid-19 vaccine
• Bring a negative chest x-ray if you had a reactive TB skin test.
• Attend every class and clinical session without exception.
• Wear a white uniform top, a black uniform bottom, and white shoes.
• Pay $781 for tuition, fees, textbooks, and the state exam.

Gateway Community and Technical College: Medicaid Nurse Aide — Kentucky Medication Aide

Gateway CTC also offers the Medicaid Nurse Aide course, with the added benefit of possible financial aid through a Memorial Scholarship.

However, students must live in Northern Kentucky to qualify. First, enroll in the GCTC Medicaid Nurse Aide program, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and document your financial aid needs.

Tuition and fees run slightly higher than at Elizabethtown due to the $40 campus security fee.

Hazard Community and Technical College: Nurse Aide

The Nurse Aide program at Hazard CTC covers providing personal care and medical assistance in Kentucky’s:

• Long-term care facilities
• Hospitals
• Home Care Agencies
• Clinics

The focus on home care agencies will familiarize you with the specifics of providing in-home health care services in Kentucky. Tuition costs $781.

Henderson Community and Technical College: Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide

Henderson’s program focuses on assisted living, hospice settings, and home health agency training.

For example, because people in assisted living may go home for weekend or holiday visits, they may sometimes require a home health aide to provide skilled respite or support services for family caregivers. Tuition, fees, books, and testing: $745.

Jefferson Community and Technical College: Medicaid Nurse Aide

Like the Gateway campus, students pay a $40 campus security fee here, which makes tuition slightly higher than most other Kentucky CTCs.

Also, like Gateway, this program includes home health care agency training.

Maysville Community and Technical College: Medicaid Nurse Aide

The state requires that you turn 16 years old before you begin this program.

The program includes advanced training that will allow you to perform personal care nurse aide duties and administer certain medications under the supervision of licensed medical professionals.

Because the program consists of the nurse aide, medication nurse aide, and the five-credit Kentucky Medication Aide course, tuition increases accordingly.

Although the Southeastern and Western Kentucky campuses have Nurse Aide programs, they require completing the 75-hour nurse aide training course before admission.

Home Health Aide Schools in Kentucky – Summary Table

Home Health Aide Salary and Experience in Kentucky

Nationwide, home health aides earn annual salaries of $29,430, while Kentucky’s HHAs earn $29,200.

Although state registered nurse aides experience a wage gap of $230 a year, Kentucky’s lower cost of living places it in ninth place for affordability, according to US News and World Reports.

Kentucky also ranks 15th in housing affordability, making its average pay for HHAs a living wage.

Regional Salary in Kentucky