In terms of overall demand and growth, it has never been a better time for a Maine resident to become a home health aide.
Whether you reside in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn, or Biddeford, there are always going to be plenty of job opportunities for home health aides.
In order to learn more about the available pathways to your home health aide certification in Maine, please be sure to read on….
5 Home Health Aide Schools in Maine
Central Maine Community College
Located in Auburn, this home health aide program allows students to complete their coursework within 16 weeks, at a cost of $1,000.
There are certain requirements that must be fulfilled by Maine students before they are able to enroll at Central Maine Community College, though.
For starters, applicants must have their GED or their high school diploma before they can begin.
In addition, applicants must pass a reading comprehension exam and an English competency exam.
A tuberculosis test is required as well. If a student would like to transfer and continue their studies at a more well-known university, the transfer options that Central Maine Community College has to offer are seamless.
Maine College of Health
Maine College of Health students will report to Lewiston.
This school’s home health aid program can be completed within 10 weeks’ time and it will only cost $500 for students to enroll.
Maine College of Health does have requirements that must be completed before prospective students are given the chance to enroll.
It all starts with a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma.
Once this has been obtained, students will also be asked to pass a reading comprehension exam and a math competency exam.
Lastly, Maine College of Health students are required to receive a tuberculosis skin test and submit to a criminal background check.
United Technology Center
Bangor residents will have easy access to the United Technology Center’s home health aide program, which takes place over the course of 15 weeks.
Students who are accepted into the program can expect to spend $1,100.
Hands-on, career-oriented assistance is provided to all prospective home health aides, as long as they are able to meet the following requirements.
United Technology Center’s students must have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma.
From there, a tuberculosis skin test is needed.
Once these requirements are fulfilled, a reading comprehension exam and a math competency exam must also be completed.
The United Technology Center serves Bangor, Brewer, Central, Hampden Academy, Hermon, Old Town, and Orono.
Crooked River Adult Education
Crooked River Adult Education’s home health aide program caters to those who reside in the Tusco region of Maine.
This program is often chosen because of its brevity, as students will have the chance to complete their studies over the course of a mere five weeks.
Home health aide students are asked to spend $1,000 for their coursework and there are requirements to fulfill.
A high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma is needed before any prospective student is allowed to proceed.
A tuberculosis skin test is a must as well.
As soon as these requirements have been addressed, the prospective student will need to complete a physical exam and a reading comprehension exam.
Ellsworth Adult Education
Prospective home health aides in the Ellsworth region will typically choose Ellsworth Adult Education when it comes time to apply.
The program can be completed within 9 weeks and will cost students $1,400.
As with the aforementioned programs, there are certain requirements that must be taken care of first.
The prospective student will need to supply a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma.
In addition to a physical exam, a tuberculosis skin test also takes place.
Once the reading comprehension exam has been taken care of, the student is able to enroll.
Home Health Aide Schools in Maine – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Maine
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Maine Community College | 1250 Turner St, Auburn, ME 04210 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | 70 Middle St, Lewiston, ME 04240, |
| United Technologies Center | 200 Hogan Rd, Bangor, ME 04401 |
| Crooked River Adult Education | 1881 Roosevelt Trail, Naples, ME 04055 |
| Ellsworth Adult Education | 248 State St, Ellsworth, ME 04605 |
Salary
Depending on location, Maine residents can expect to make anywhere from $25,000 to $27,000 as a home health aide.
Most salaries fall into this general range but you will need to check out your specific location for an exact number.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in Maine
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $26,927 |
| Lewiston | $26,652 |
| Bangor | $25,180 |
| South Portland | $26,927 |
| Auburn | $26,652 |
| Brunswick | $26,689 |
| Biddeford | $26,799 |
| Sanford | $27,602 |
| Augusta | $25,778 |
| Scarborough | $26,927 |
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 1,810 | $32,850 | $15.79 | $36,700 | $29,830 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 1,560 | $33,560 | $16.14 | $40,590 | $29,110 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 5,240 | $34,940 | $16.8 | $42,270 | $30,170 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after the coursework is complete?
As soon as the accredited home health aide training is completed, Maine students will need to complete their state-mandated hands-on training.
Maine requires 180 hours of classroom training and 70 clinical hours before qualifying for the certification exam.
Are home health aides similar to CNAs?
In most states, the answer would be no.
In Maine, however, home health aides are held in the same regard as CNAs and will receive workplace orientation that is similar.
Are Maine’s requirements more strict?
Yes.
The Institute of Medicine recommends 120 hours of classroom training but in the state of Maine.
Students can expect to spend 180 hours on classroom training before they can proceed.
How is a home care license obtained?
Before a home care business is permitted in the state of Maine, applicants must take the time to obtain the necessary licensing.
A fee of $25 will be provided with the application and the initial licensing process may take up to three months.
How long is the certification exam?
There is a written portion to the exam and a clinical portion.
