A Home Health Aide (HHA) plays a vital role in assisting patients who are in need.
The role of the HHA does not extend to any type of medical assistance.
Instead, HHAs assist patients with small household chores, running errands, medication reminders, eating, bathing, and dressing.
These candidates require certain skills, knowledge, and experience to be able to properly assist patients.
The state of Minnesota offers various programs to help prepare candidates for this role.
5 Home Health Aide Schools in Minnesota
1. Alexandria Technical Community College
Alexandria Technical Community College is located in Alexandria, Minnesota.
The facility offers a four-week certified nursing aide (CNA) program.
The tuition for the program is $624.
The total hours of training are 84 contact hours.
The course comprises a total of three credit hours and is state-approved.
The program allows students to gain the skills, knowledge, and attitude to provide supportive and direct care to patients.
After completing the program, students must take the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Test in order to be certified CNAs.
The curriculum has been designed to meet both OBRA requirements and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) standards.
Students put theory into practice under the supervision of a qualified nurse in both laboratory and clinical settings.
2. Accelerated School of Nursing Assistant
Accelerated School of Nursing Assistant is located in the Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
The school offers a CNA program that may be completed in as little as three weeks.
Classes are offered in the mornings or afternoons.
Tuition for the program is $800.
The school has professional nurses and instructors that offer engaging learning materials to help students pass the certification examination.
The school is listed on the MDH Nursing Assistant Registry.
The school has been approved by the department of health to offer the official Minnesota Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide course.
Students gain the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their job.
Before applying for a job, candidates are required to take and pass the examination.
3. Fond Du Lac Tech Community College
Fond Du Lac Tech Community College is located in Cloquet, Minnesota.
The school offers a four-credit Nursing Assistant program.
The program is offered over 16 weeks with 105 contact hours.
Tuition for the program is $1,500. Summer courses are three weeks long.
The school offers knowledge and skills tests on campus.
These tests can be taken together or individually.
The tests are offered on the same day.
The total for both tests is $250 or $100 for the skills test and $150 for the knowledge test.
The school uses the TMU site for testing.
Students may purchase the Minnesota practice knowledge test prior to writing the actual test to help them prepare for the test.
4. Central Lake College
Central Lake College is located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and offers a Nurse Aide Certificate program.
The length of the program is 12 weeks or 76 contact hours and the tuition is $1,000.
The program is designed to prepare students for a career in various long-term care and assistive living facilities as well as in home-care settings.
Upon successful completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate a high level of integrity, safe and respectful levels of service, excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, knowledge of medical terminology, and accurate measurement of vital signs.
Prospective students must maintain a B average in Practical Nursing (PNUR) courses.
5. Midwest Career Institute
Midwest Career Institute is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The school offers an eight-week CNA training program with a total of 172 contact hours.
The tuition is $2,280.30 for the program, which includes tuition, books, lab fees, exam fees, and supplies.
The goal of the program is to teach candidates to take care of patients in a variety of settings while offering support to the nursing team.
Upon successful completion of the training program, students receive a certificate of completion.
In addition, students are eligible to take the state examination to become certified nurse assistants.
Home Health Aide Schools in Minnesota – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Minnesota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alexandria Technical Community College | 1601 Jefferson St, Alexandria, MN 56308 |
| Accelerated School of Nursing Assistant | 6818 N Humboldt Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55430 |
| Fond Du Lac Tech Community College | 2101 14th St, Cloquet, MN 55720 |
| Central Lake College | 501 W College Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401 |
| Midwest Career Source | 9100 Lebanon Road Belleville, Illinois 62223 |
Salary
The average annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in Minneapolis, Minnesota is $35,467.
This salary can be further broken down to approximately $17 an hour, $682 a week, or $2,956 a month on the high end for an entry-level position.
The salary varies according to the exact location in the state of Minnesota, the type of employer, and the number of years of experience that the candidate has.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in Minnesota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $29,355 |
| Minnetonka | $29,355 |
| Lakeville | $29,173 |
| Eden Prairie | $29,304 |
| Duluth | $26,134 |
| Burnsville | $29,272 |
| Rochester | $26,685 |
| Saint Cloud | $26,150 |
| Saint Paul | $29,355 |
| Albertville | $27,825 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 4,750 | $31,070 | $14.94 | $35,640 | $26,100 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | 2,000 | $32,810 | $15.77 | $36,980 | $27,950 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 75,380 | $32,540 | $15.64 | $37,840 | $28,220 |
| Rochester, MN | 3,940 | $32,330 | $15.54 | $37,710 | $28,220 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 2,640 | $31,580 | $15.19 | $37,790 | $27,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the training to work as an HHA in Minnesota?
Yes, according to state statute, candidates who wish to pursue a career as an HHA must meet certain educational criteria such as 75 total hours of study as a certified nurse aide, 16 of which need to be dedicated to clinical work experience.
The school must be state-approved.
Do HHAs work with more than one patient at a time?
Generally no.
HHAs will work with a single patient at a time but may work at different locations if the HHA has more than one client.
What are the responsibilities of an HHA in Minnesota?
Candidates must maintain a safe and clean environment while incorporating infection control procedures.
Help to prevent falls, remind patients of medication to be taken, assist with grooming, feeding, and maintaining cleanliness, as well as assist with running errands, cooking light meals, and doing light chores around the home.
