CNA's: allowed to do _WHAT_ by law?

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Hi!

I am a new member here, and just got hired on at ETMC in Athens as an NA. I will get my CNA cert in a short while and was wondering;

What kinds of things are CNA's allowed to do, by the state of texas, in a Hosptial environment?

For example...

I have 7 months of a 9 month Medical Assisting course behind me. I had to move to East Texas and was unable to finish. :( But because of this schooling, I can give injections and take blood in a few different ways, Vitals, EKG's, Holter Monit. Etc.

Now I know CNA's don't get alot of this training, but if I were to get my CNA, then get certifications in the areas I am interested in, (Phlebotomy, Monitor Tech and IV Administration) would I be able to practice these, possibly PRN in the Hospital I work for.

Are they bound by law to not let a CNA, no matter if she is certified in the area of Phlebotomy or IV Admin, to not let her/him?

If someone could help me out in finding the answer, I would really appreciate it!

I am not even sure where to start looking. I will be going to TVCC in the fall to get my pre-reqs out of the way for the ADN program I will be entering in 2007. So eventually I will be able to do all these fun things anyway! I am just trying to broaden my skill base now, so that I can pick up PRN in areas that might pay more, and that I would enjoy.

Thanks so much!

Kristin

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No injections at all as a CNA. You cannot draw blood in most facilities as a CNA. And nothing at all do with IVs or medications.

In the setting as an MA, you were covered under the license of the physician, but it does not work this way in a hospital.

If you get a job as a phlebotomist in a lab in a hospital, then you can draw blood after you have been check off by them, but in the realm of nursing, it is not going to happen.

Holter Monitors are done by the cardiology Dept. EKGs are usually done by either cardiology, respiratory dept sometimes off shift, or by the RN. They are not usually done by the CNA. In some ERs, you will find the CNA/ER Tech doing them, but that is not the norm.

As a CNA in a hospital setting, you will be responsible for feeding, toileting, walking, assisting the patient in what everway that you are assigned to do, but it will not be using the skills that you mentioned.

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No injections at all as a CNA. You cannot draw blood in most facilities as a CNA. And nothing at all do with IVs or medications.

In the setting as an MA, you were covered under the license of the physician, but it does not work this way in a hospital.

If you get a job as a phlebotomist in a lab in a hospital, then you can draw blood after you have been check off by them, but in the realm of nursing, it is not going to happen.

Holter Monitors are done by the cardiology Dept. EKGs are usually done by either cardiology, respiratory dept sometimes off shift, or by the RN. They are not usually done by the CNA. In some ERs, you will find the CNA/ER Tech doing them, but that is not the norm.

As a CNA in a hospital setting, you will be responsible for feeding, toileting, walking, assisting the patient in what everway that you are assigned to do, but it will not be using the skills that you mentioned.

Thank you for this!

So working nights. 7p to 7a in Med/Surg, what can I expect? There will be no meals. There MIGHT be baths at the begining of my shift, I am unclear about this right now.

I am asking, as when I interviewed, I was interviewing for the Day NA position. It wasn't until the end that I even knew there was a night pos open. It payed more and would work better with school, so when I was offered a choice, i chose NOC.

But what the heck does an NA, or CNA do at night?? Is there some downtime where you can study? Do I clean bathrooms?? (I sure hope not! But you never know) I do know CNA's take vitals q4h during the day. I believe we take vitals NOC too. I am sure there will be some toileting and answering call lights at night. But for the most part, I would think it would be quiet as most pt's are sleeping? Am I way off here?

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You are covered under the Nurse Practice Act by the delegation model for nurses. Basically, you can only do those acts that a Nurse can legally delegate to you.

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=11&ch=224&rl=6

You CAN do monitor tech IF you are trained as that: but that would be separate hat, not a CNA hat. My experience is that the hospitals I've worked in in Texas certify their monitor techs internally.

ER techs CAN start IVs but that is not likely to be a job delegated to you on the various nursing units. Neither is drawing blood: you'd need to be certified as a phleb and again, that's a different 'hat' than CNA.

After you have some nursing school behind you, you can probably get a position as an ER tech: you'd be able to do much more like starting IVs and drawing blood in that environment.

I would also recommend unit secretary duties if you are willing to get cross-trained and the need arises. Again, different hat than CNA.

Get all the experience you can and DO try on different hats.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

In the ER's I worked in, ER techs could only start IV's if they were paramedics, EMT-P certified.

As a tech - pre nursing school with a CNA certificate - in the ICU and ER though, I did EKG's, watched monitors (trained by the hospital), drew labs, fed, toileted and bathed patients, and basically just helped the nurses do whatever it was they needed help doing.

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Actually, in my facility (Georgia), CNAs routinely draw blood, start IVs, Foley's, assist doctors with procedures, 12-lead EKGs, just about any standard procedure except med administration. The facility provides specialized/advanced training to their CNAs before allowing them to do these things.

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.
>>

Actually, in my facility (Georgia), CNAs routinely draw blood, start IVs, Foley's, assist doctors with procedures, 12-lead EKGs, just about any standard procedure except med administration. The facility provides specialized/advanced training to their CNAs before allowing them to do these things.

Same in Durham NC, except for IVs. NurseKittyAtlanta.

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Specializes in CV Intermediate, M/S, tele, PCU, ortho.

Here at my hospital in Houston our CNA's draw all our lab work. They can't touch an IV unless they are CCT (critical care tech) trained by the hospital, and can only perform these functions in ICU, CCU, ER. But on the floors all the phleb is done by the CNA's via on the job training.

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You cannot draw blood in most facilities as a CNA.

In the setting as an MA, you were covered under the license of the physician, but it does not work this way in a hospital.

If you get a job as a phlebotomist in a lab in a hospital, then you can draw blood after you have been check off by them, but in the realm of nursing, it is not going to happen.

That's not true in Texas. My hospital routinely certifies CNA's for phlebotomy and they draw blood on the floors. Same is true in every hospital in DFW that I've worked at.

States and facilities differ in practice.

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CNA's draw blood where I work in Plano also if they want to be trained. As for what to do at night - I worked 7p to 7a for 12 years and there is plenty to keep you busy. They really don't all sleep all night. Also it is shorter staffed for nights.:)

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Hi Yarra,

I worked for ETMC in Crockett a couple of years ago as a PRN Phlebotomist, before nursing school.

If you have had some phlebotomy training why not talk with the Lab. Director at your facility and see if you would be able to work as a phlebotomist. I am certified, but some of the staff was not.

I think Phlebotomist make more money than NA's there.(if PRN=no benefits)

-lelu

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