How to Become a Home Health Aide in South Dakota

In South Dakota, you don’t need much experience to become a Home Health Aide (HHA).

You can use this as on-the-job training for work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

Some HHAs in SD also pursue Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN, PN) training.

They transition from LPN work to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).

Licensing Requirements to Become a Home Health Aide in South Dakota

Home health agencies and individual home health aide providers voluntarily seek certification.

The South Dakota Department of Health does not regulate HHC workers.

However, eligible providers and agencies need to register with South Dakota Medicaid.

5 Home Health Aide Schools in South Dakota

1. Southeast Technical College

Southeast Technical College offers several options for people who want to pursue a healthcare career.

For instance, you could acquire a CNA certificate.

If you do, it will enable you to perform advanced home caretaking duties.

You have the choice of pursuing a non-medical or medical caretaking position as you complete this training.

More opportunities will open up for you if you continue taking upper-level nursing classes.

2. South Dakota State University

SD State offers the chance for high school seniors to start what’s called a “Direct Admit” program.

This occurs after they’ve shown themselves eligible for this learning track.

If you apply to SD State, you could take your caretaking career as far as you want.

Maybe you’d start out developing skills as an HHA or CNA.

Then, you could pursue a practical or registered nursing education after earning an associate’s degree.

You can obtain as high as a master’s degree at SD state.

Your time spent in training will depend on your career goals – probably an average of one semester to two years for most students.

However, you could take advantage of educational opportunities that may take you up to six years.

3. Western Dakota Technical College (WDT)

Western Dakota Technical College offers a Practical Nursing program.

WDT also has a Phlebotomy, Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technician and Pharmacy Technician program, and more.

You could customize your training according to your specific career goals.

If you have some HHA experience, you could start out in Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing classes.

That could eventually lead you to become a Registered Nurse, which you can also train for at WDT.

The length of time spent in school could range from less than one year to about two years.

It’s possible to earn at least a certificate, technical diploma, or associate degree here.

4. South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA)

SDHCA provides CNA testing.

You can also seek certification in specific HHA concentrations, such as in dementia care or activity coordination.

Some of the same skills you learn will apply to both works in long-term care facilities and in people’s homes.

It covers not only physical needs, such as helping with dressing or bathing but emotional or psychological needs.

SDHCA also hosts healthcare workshops for people to update their skills.

Moreover, this association also has career resources to help you find employment.

Training durations vary.

Some may take only a few sessions, but the activity assistant course will run for about 120 hours.

5. Mitchell Tech

One of the Mitchell Tech concentrations most relevant to an HHA worker is the LPN training program.

This practical nursing track also allows you to complete your RN training in only a year.

Of course, the length of time it takes you depends on how much free time you have.

In any case, you should be able to work while enrolled in this LPN program.

You only have to attend a class about one day a week.

Training includes clinical situations and virtual technology.

This skill development opportunity will help you build your confidence as you prepare to take on medically related caretaking skills.

Home Health Aide Schools in South Dakota – Summary Table

Salary

A home health aide in South Dakota makes an average of $22638 per year.

This income may range from $21,022-$25,122 according to 2022 data.

If you acquire a CNA license, you raise your annual earnings by at least $3,000-$5,000.

LPNs and RNs make almost double or triple what an HHA makes.

However, your experience as an HHA gives you a head start with working in the healthcare field.

Regional Salary in South Dakota