CNA vs. PCA vs. HHA

[SingDanceRunLife]

I just got hired to start training as a PCA (personal care aide) for a home care agency and I'm wondering how this differs from CNAs and HHAs. I know CNAs work more on the medical side and HHAs do a lot with ADLs, so are PCAs somewhere in the middle?

Does anyone here work in home care? Do you like it? (Pros/cons).

Thanks!

[g_majied CNA,PC]

You are right, yes, some HHAs do take VS, but at the agencies where I've worked from here in Chicago, HHAs don't take VS or give meds. We remind the pt to take their meds, and meds that are controlled substances such as opioids ex: morphine, Vicodin, Tylenol 3, and benzos such as Klonopin, Xanax and others only an RN can administer those. Even whilst working in hospitals, CNAs/PCTs are not allowed to pass meds, even in hospice settings. But as you said some places are different.

[Cream and sugar LPN]

I'm a HHA and we absolutely 100% do do VS and depending on the situation, administer meds (just about 3 weeks ago we were administering morphine to a client who was passing an on hospice/comfort care). Yes, we also cook and clean and bathe and ADLs, but we do just about the same as a CNA, just in a different setting.

I'm very confused, since when is a HHA permitted to administer medications, let alone morphine? None of this makes any sense, please explain?

[mrtnzari90]

I know this is an older post but I would like to share from my experience.

I live in AZ and I do both HHA for an agency and PCA for the hospital. As a HHA, I love that I can take my time with my patients and get to know them more personally. It is very flexible as far as what days I see my patients and how many I take on. I do vitals and then assist them with showering or sponge bath per nurse orders. I report anything that is concerning to the nurse in charge of care. I enjoy it quite a bit.

Recently, I took on the hospital job as a PCA which is more extensive as far as what certificates I needed coming in. I took a phlebotomy class and now I am presently doing blood draws that are overseen by my preceptors. I am able to take vitals, take care of patient basic needs, draw blood, do glucose or fecal tests, gather specimens, remove catheters and IVs. It is higher stress at the hospital since I will have anywhere from 4 to 12 patients, depending on the staffing. I like what I am doing but doing 12 hours on my feet is quite exhausting.

I hope my answer helps anyone else.

[Queen Tiye, RN]

Certified Nursing Assistants have certificates not licenses. Depending on the hospital nursing assistants are referred to as “patient care assistants/ PCAs” or “patient care technicians/ PCTs”. Home health aides can also be certified nursing assistants. CNAs, PCAs/PCTs, and HHAS are all nursing assistants and perform the same duties in different settings: assist with ADLs, keep patient space clean and follow instructions set in place by the primary nurse or coordinator. Hospitals sometimes higher nursing assistants without certification and train them there and certify them through their program. Sometimes HHAS aren’t certified and they primarily perform light house-keeping. PCAs/PCTs in the hospital can be promoted to level two, performing non-sterile wound care, straight carbs/ foleys, venipuncture, tube feeds, IV removal, NG tube removal — depending on the facility.