Geriatric & Disabled Care

Certified Home Health Aide

(Nursing 399B)

Students who wish to further develop their skills and employment options, working with homebound individuals and assisted living facilities, should take this 4-week course to become a State-certified HHA.

The CNA and HHA classes can be completed together in one semester.

In-Home Supportive Services Provider

(Noncredit VocEd 400CE & 408CE)

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Home Health Aide or Nurse, a great way to get started in the healthcare field is by becoming an In-Home Supportive Services Provider. An In-Home Support Services (IHSS) Provider is a non-licensed healthcare worker who assists elderly and disabled individuals in their own home with basic daily and support services. These services include personal care, such as dressing and bathing, assistance with household chores, and basic medical care.

The field of personal and home care aides is among the fastest growing occupations in California with a projected 25% growth rate through 2016. California is expected to need more than 30,000 IHSS providers during this period.

West L.A. College offers IHSS certificate through the Career Advancement Academy program. The IHSS certificate program is made up of two, noncredit classes, totaling 108 hours. The classes are offered for FREE and are conducted as pass/fail. Students are responsible for the cost of books and materials. No credit or grades are given. Both courses are offered in a condensed format specially designed to prepare you to work in the healthcare field as quickly as possible. The 18-hour Medical Terminology (Voc Ed 400CE) course covers basic medical terms you need to know and communicate. In the 90-hour IHSS (Voc Ed 408CE) class, laboratory exercises will give you the opportunity to apply and practice what you learned in the lectures.

When you successfully complete both classes with a “pass,” you will receive an IHSS Certificate of Completion and a priority registration packet for our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program.

Student Eligibility and Requirements:
All students are eligible to participate in these FREE, noncredit classes. Admission to the IHSS program is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be expected to attend class each and every day, study hard and successfully learn the material. See the class schedule for class dates and times.

PREREQUISITES: None