Top 10 Hospice Aide Certifications

Certifications are very important for hospice aides in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and competence that employers look for when hiring. Hospice aides must be knowledgeable about end-of-life care, symptom management, and other topics related to end-of-life care. Certifications provide evidence that the hospice aide has the necessary training and experience to provide quality care to patients and families. Additionally, certifications also show an employer that the aide is committed to their profession and willing to continue learning and advancing their skills. In short, certifications can give a hospice aide an edge in the job market by helping them stand out from other applicants.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Hospice Aides and explains how they can help to advance a hospice aide's career.

What are Hospice Aide Certifications?

Hospice aide certification is a program designed to prepare individuals to provide care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice aides are responsible for providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care to those in the last stages of life. They must have an understanding of the principles of palliative care and be able to recognize when a patient needs additional help.

The certification process includes both coursework and practical experience. Hospice aides must complete a minimum number of hours in both classroom instruction and clinical practice before they become certified. The coursework covers topics such as end-of-life issues, communication techniques, pain management, grief counseling, nutrition, infection control, safety protocols, and legal issues related to hospice care. Clinical practice allows the student to gain hands-on experience working with patients in hospice settings.

By becoming certified as a hospice aide, individuals can demonstrate that they have received special training and are proficient in providing quality end-of-life care. This can help them secure more job opportunities or advance their careers within the field of hospice services. Additionally, certified hospice aides can gain greater respect from medical professionals as well as from patients and their families who know that they are providing special care for those at the end of life.

Pro Tip: When considering hospice aide certification, make sure to research the requirements for each state in which you plan to work. Each state has different regulations and requirements for certification, so it is important to ensure you are meeting all of the necessary standards.

Related: What does a Hospice Aide do?

Top 10 Hospice Aide Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Hospice Aides today.

1. National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) Certified Hospice Aide

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) Certified Hospice Aide is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in providing hospice care. The NAHC Certified Hospice Aide Program is open to individuals who are employed by a hospice agency or other health care organization that provides hospice services.

It typically takes about six months to complete the program, depending on the individual's availability and commitment. To become certified, applicants must complete an online application, pass a background check, complete an online training course, and pass the NAHC Certified Hospice Aide Exam. The cost of the program varies depending on the provider, but it typically ranges between $500-$1,000.

Once certified, individuals will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in providing quality end-of-life care and services to patients and families. They will also gain recognition from employers as well as peers within the hospice industry.

2. National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN) Certified Hospice Aide

The National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN) Certified Hospice Aide is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide quality care for hospice patients. The certification is valid for four years and requires renewal every four years.

To become certified, an individual must pass the NBCHPN Certified Hospice Aide Exam. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions that assess the candidate’s knowledge of hospice care principles, practices, regulations, and standards. Candidates must also complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education in hospice care within the past two years prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the NBCHPN Certified Hospice Aide Exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally, it costs around $200-$250 to take the exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking continuing education courses or other materials needed for preparation.

3. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Certified Hospice Aide

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Certified Hospice Aide is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of hospice aides. The certification is available to individuals who have completed an approved training program and passed the NHPCO's national exam.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the required training program, depending on the provider. Training programs are offered through community colleges, health care facilities, home health agencies, hospices, and other organizations. The cost of training varies by provider but can range from $500-$1,000.

To become certified as a NHPCO Certified Hospice Aide, applicants must pass a written examination administered by the NHPCO. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient rights and responsibilities, infection control, nutrition and hydration support, pain management techniques, end-of-life care practices, communication strategies for working with families and caregivers, safety protocols for providing personal care services in the home setting, documentation requirements for hospice aides and more.

The cost of taking the exam is $100 per attempt. Candidates must score at least 70% or higher on the exam in order to receive their certification. Once certified as a NHPCO Certified Hospice Aide, individuals must maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every two years.

4. American Association of Home Care and Hospice (AAHCH) Certified Hospice Aide

The American Association of Home Care and Hospice (AAHCH) Certified Hospice Aide is a specialized certification program designed to recognize individuals who are qualified to provide hospice care in the home. The AAHCH Certified Hospice Aide program provides training and certification for individuals who wish to become certified hospice aides. The program consists of three components: an online course, a hands-on practicum, and an examination.

The online course covers topics such as end-of-life care, pain management, grief counseling, communication skills, infection control, safety practices, and other related topics. The hands-on practicum is completed at a local hospice facility and includes supervised clinical experience with patients. Upon completion of the two components, candidates must pass the AAHCH Certified Hospice Aide Examination in order to receive their certification.

The entire process typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete depending on the individual’s availability and pace of learning. Candidates should plan on spending approximately 10 hours per week studying for the online course and practicum components of the program.

The cost of the AAHCH Certified Hospice Aide program varies depending on where it is taken. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 for the entire program including tuition fees for both the online course and hands-on practicum as well as examination fees.

5. American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) Certified Hospice Aide

The American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) Certified Hospice Aide (CHA) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the care of terminally ill patients. This certification is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of competency in providing hospice services.

To become certified, individuals must complete an approved training program, pass an examination, and meet additional requirements as determined by the AMDA. The training program typically consists of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Depending on the program, this can take anywhere from three to six months to complete.

In order to apply for certification, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of completion of the required training program and a fee. The fee for the CHA certification is currently $150 USD. Upon successful completion of all requirements, individuals will receive their CHA certificate from AMDA.

The CHA certification is valid for two years after which time recertification will be required in order to maintain active status. Recertification requires completion of continuing education courses as well as submission of a recertification application and fee ($100 USD).

6. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Certified Hospice Aide

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Certified Hospice Aide is a certification program for individuals who provide care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. This certification is designed to ensure that hospice aides have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide quality end-of-life care.

To become certified as a JCAHO Certified Hospice Aide, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass an exam. Approved programs are offered by universities, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The length of the training program varies depending on the provider but typically takes between six months and two years to complete.

In order to take the certification exam, applicants must submit proof of completion of their training program along with a fee. The fee for taking the exam is currently $200 USD.

Once applicants have passed the exam they will receive their JCAHO Certified Hospice Aide credential which is valid for three years before requiring renewal. Renewal requires proof of continuing education credits as well as payment of a renewal fee which is currently $150 USD.

7. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Certified Hospice Aide

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Certified Hospice Aide is a certification program designed to ensure that hospice aides are properly trained, qualified, and competent to provide quality care to individuals with end-of-life needs. The certification is offered through the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses (NBCHPC).

In order to become certified as a CMS Certified Hospice Aide, applicants must meet certain educational requirements, pass a competency exam, and complete an approved training program. The educational requirements include having either a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Applicants must also have at least one year of experience working in an environment providing direct patient care services.

The competency exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as patient rights, communication skills, infection control, safety measures, and basic medical terminology. The exam is administered by the NBCHPC and must be passed in order to receive certification.

The approved training program consists of classroom instruction as well as hands-on clinical practice in an accredited hospice setting. The training typically takes between 12-18 months to complete depending on the individual's availability and schedule.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the state where the applicant resides. Generally speaking, the cost can range from $200-$400 for application fees plus any additional fees associated with taking the competency exam or completing the training program.

8. National Council for Home Health & Hospice Quality Assurance (NCHHQA) Certified Hospice Aide

The National Council for Home Health & Hospice Quality Assurance (NCHHQA) Certified Hospice Aide is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of those who work in home health and hospice settings. The NCHHQA Certified Hospice Aide is an advanced certification that requires specialized training and experience in hospice care. It is intended to provide assurance to patients, families, and caregivers that the aide has been trained in the best practices for providing quality end-of-life care.

To become certified as a NCHHQA Certified Hospice Aide, you must complete an approved training program and pass a written examination. The training program typically consists of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinical practice. Once you have completed the training program and passed the exam, you will be awarded your certification.

The cost of becoming a NCHHQA Certified Hospice Aide varies depending on where you take your training course. In most cases, however, it will cost between $500-$700 for tuition, books, materials, and other fees associated with taking the course.

In addition to completing the required training course and passing the exam, you must also meet certain eligibility requirements before being certified as a NCHHQA Certified Hospice Aide. These include having at least one year of professional experience in home health or hospice care within the last three years; being at least 18 years old; having current CPR certification; having no criminal record; and being free from any physical or mental impairments that would prevent you from performing your duties as an aide.

Once all requirements are met, it usually takes about four weeks to receive your certification after passing the exam.

9. National Institute for Excellence in Health Care (NIECH) Certified Hospice Aide

The National Institute for Excellence in Health Care (NIECH) Certified Hospice Aide (CHHA) is a certification program designed to recognize and promote excellence in hospice care. The CHHA certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to providing quality, compassionate care for those facing life-limiting illnesses. This certification is open to both current and aspiring hospice aides.

To obtain the CHHA certification, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass an exam administered by NIECH. The training program typically takes between six weeks and three months to complete, depending on the provider. It includes instruction on topics such as understanding the hospice philosophy, patient rights, communication skills, infection control, pain management, end-of-life care, and grief counseling.

The cost of the CHHA certification varies depending on the provider offering the training program. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2000 USD.

10. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) Certified Hospice Aide

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) Certified Hospice Aide is a credential that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in providing end-of-life care. This certification is designed to ensure that hospice aides are properly trained and qualified to provide quality care to terminally ill patients and their families.

To become NLNAC Certified Hospice Aide, one must complete a minimum of 75 hours of training which includes classroom instruction, clinical experience, and a written exam. The training must be provided by an approved NLNAC provider. Upon successful completion of the training program, the individual can apply for the certification exam.

The NLNAC Certified Hospice Aide Exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering topics such as patient rights, pain management, communication techniques, end-of-life care planning, and more. The exam fee is $125 and it takes approximately two hours to complete.

Once the exam has been successfully completed, the individual will receive their NLNAC Certified Hospice Aide Certificate from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. This certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue and must be renewed every three years in order to maintain certification status.

Do You Really Need a Hospice Aide Certificate?

Whether or not you need a hospice aide certificate depends on the particular requirements of the job that you are applying for. Generally speaking, a hospice aide certificate is not required for most entry-level positions in the field. However, if you are looking to advance your career and become a more experienced hospice aide, then having a hospice aide certificate may be beneficial.

Having a hospice aide certificate can demonstrate to employers that you have taken extra steps to improve your knowledge and skills in the field. It can also help show that you are committed to providing quality care to those who are facing end-of-life situations. In addition, it can give you an edge over other applicants who don’t have this certification when it comes time for hiring decisions.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a hospice aide certificate largely depends on your individual goals and the job requirements of each position that you apply for. If you are interested in advancing your career as a hospice aide, then obtaining this certification could be beneficial.

Related: Hospice Aide Resume Examples

FAQs About Hospice Aide Certifications

1. What is a Hospice Aide Certification?

Answer: A Hospice Aide Certification is a certification that certifies individuals to provide direct care to terminally ill patients in a hospice setting.

2. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Hospice Aide?

Answer: To become certified as a Hospice Aide, you must have completed an approved training program and passed the certification exam. You must also have at least one year of experience in providing direct patient care in a health care setting.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a Hospice Aide?

Answer: The time required to complete the training and certification process varies depending on your individual circumstances, but typically takes up to six months from start to finish.

4. How much does it cost to become certified as a Hospice Aide?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified as a Hospice Aide varies depending on the specific program you choose, but typically ranges between $500 and $1,000.

5. Is there continuing education required for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, continuing education is required for all certified Hospice Aides in order to maintain their certification status. Most programs require 8-20 hours of continuing education every two years in order to remain current with changes in hospice care standards and regulations.