Care assistants provide non-medical supportive care. They will typically assist with personal care, such as washing, dressing, grooming, eating, using the restroom, and moving. However, their duties can extend to light cleaning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. Some assistive care professionals can also give sporadic pharmaceutical help. The titles of assistive care workers might vary, such as personal care aide (PCA), home health aide (HHA), and certified nurse assistant (CNA) (CNA). Despite possible similarities in job duties, there are variances between the three in terms of training needs and permissible fields of practice (i.e., the tasks they are legally permitted to do).

We present an overview of each type of role below

Personal Care Aides

Along with other services like cleaning, errand running, meal preparation, and transportation, personal care assistants also offer personal care. Personal care aides do not help in the provision of healthcare, in contrast to home health aides and certified nurse assistants. Although certain companies or states may require personal care aides to finish a training program, there are no federally mandated training requirements for these professionals.

Home health aides

Home health aides help patients with daily living activities, including bathing and dressing, light housekeeping chores like laundry and vacuuming, and food preparation and serving (such as grocery shopping and cooking). Under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, they may also offer certain basic health care services (including taking vital signs, giving drugs, or helping with medical equipment).

Although it is not necessary to have formal training to work as a home health aide, those who do so for a Medicare-approved home health firm must be certified. A home health aide candidate must complete at least 75 hours of formal training through a state-approved program, including classroom instruction, hands-on skill practice, and supervised experience in a healthcare setting. They must also pass the state’s certification exam to become certified. A minimum of 12 hours of in-service training (continuing education) must be completed annually by the home health aide in order to maintain certification. Only an employer’s on-the-job training program may be necessary for home health aides who don’t work for Medicare-certified home health firms.

While you’re here…

Regardless of what type of home health you provide, when you’re working with fragile people, easily hurt, things are at risk of going wrong. Mistakes can be made, and accidents happen on a regular basis. Before you know it, you are being sued.

Having home health aide liability insurance in place can shield you from the expense of a legal suit. even if it has no basis.

Certified Nursing Assistants

Under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) assist in the delivery of nursing care by carrying out fundamental nursing tasks. Examples of fundamental nursing duties include assistance with toileting, changing bed sheets, helping patients move from one area to another, assisting with eating, assisting with range-of-motion exercises, and assisting with various therapies. To help with administrating medicine or other more complex nursing procedures, some licensed nurse assistants obtain further training. A number of healthcare facilities, including the home, employ certified nursing assistants. Certified nursing assistants who operate in the home setting may also carry out minor housekeeping tasks to keep the surroundings tidy or guarantee healthy eating (e.g., laundry, meal preparation).

All licensed nursing assistants are required to successfully complete a minimum of 75 hours of training through a state­approved training program. A minimum of 12 hours of in-service training must be completed annually by qualified nursing assistants in order to maintain their certification.

Skilled caregivers

The home health care team frequently consists of skilled care workers, including nurses and therapists. In addition to giving you direct care, professional caregivers could manage other caregivers and supervise the care you receive. Generally speaking, the jobs that skilled care workers complete are those that call for advanced training and specific knowledge to complete safely.

Licensed nurses

Assessments are carried out by registered nurses, who also create care plans, deliver nursing care, and oversee other nursing team members like licensed practical/vocational nurses, home health aides, and certified nursing assistants. Registered nurses frequently serve as case managers in the home health context. Hands-on nursing care for the client may be provided by the registered nurse who is also working as the case manager, another registered nurse, or a licensed practical/vocational nurse on the team.

A registered nurse has either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from a two-year college or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a four-year university. An RN must also pass a state-issued license exam in order to practice.

Professional/practical nurses with a license

Under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed practical/vocational nurses assist in the planning and provision of specific nursing care. Depending on the healthcare context and the state, licensed practical/vocational nurses may lawfully do a variety of duties. To practice as a licensed practical/vocational nurse, one must be certified (obtained by finishing a 12- to 18-month training program) and licensed (obtained by passing a state-administered examination).

Therapists

Therapists specialize in assisting patients with disabilities or injuries in maintaining their current abilities and, whenever possible, regaining lost abilities. A person’s capacity to lead a rich and fulfilling life is increased when they are as fully functional and independent as possible, thanks to therapy.

To increase mobility, preserve strength, and lessen discomfort, physical therapists (PTs) employ strategies like stretching and strengthening exercises. Additionally, a physical therapist may instruct patients on how to appropriately use specialized tools (such as a brace or walker). A physical therapy degree at the doctor level (DPT) is required for physical therapists, as is state licensure.

Occupational therapists assist patients in maintaining or regaining their capacity to carry out daily responsibilities. Maintaining or enhancing a person’s independence is the major objective of occupational therapy. Similar to physical therapists, occupational therapists can instruct clients on specific exercises and demonstrate how to use specialized tools like feeding and grooming aids. Occupational therapists can also evaluate the home or workplace and offer suggestions for changes that will facilitate the client’s ability to do tasks independently. Occupational therapists are required to get a master’s degree in the field. Some people have doctorates. In addition, occupational therapists must hold a licensure in every state.

Speech-language pathologists, often known as speech therapists, diagnose and treat issues with swallowing, chewing, and speech. The speech-language pathologist can suggest tools and activities to improve communication and can also impart strategies to help people eat and drink safely. Most states need licenses for speech-language pathologists, who normally have at least a master’s degree.

Respiratory therapists diagnose respiratory issues, advise patients on breathing exercises and procedures, and train them on how to use ventilators and other breathing apparatus. All states, with the exception of Alaska, require licensure for respiratory therapists, who must possess either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree.