Direct care position vs. CNA

[magn1jes]

Does anyone know the difference between a "direct care" position, and a CNA position? There is a job opening that I called on, the person I talked to said that it was a direct care position, and that you do all of the ADL's, administer meds, and give insulin shots, pretty much the same stuff as a nursing aid would do. Now, I know I learned in my CNA class that we are NOT allowed to give meds. Is this just away around the giving meds part, by not calling it a Nursing assistant job? Has anyone had experience with this kind of job? I know that this job probably won't help me keep my licensing up, which I am fine with, I am just looking for experience to help me in my nursing career while still in school. Thanks!

[CoffeemateCNA]

Something sounds fishy.

CNA positions ARE direct care positions, so I'm not sure what this employer is trying to pull.

"Plain" CNAs can NEVER give meds, it doesn't matter if you are in LTC or a hospital. No meds. EVER.

CMTs, "med techs," or medication aides can, but they have gone through additional training to be able to do so. And even then, they are only allowed to pass meds in skilled nursing facilities, residential care, or assisted living. I don't know of ANY state that will allow unlicensed personnel to pass meds in an acute care setting such as a hospital. That is for the nurse alone.

As for insulin administration, there is also a course and a state exam you have to take (just like you did for CNA). You can check blood glucose as a CNA though, as long as it is permitted by facility policy.

If this position is in LTC and they are going to be TRAINING you and CERTIFYING you to pass meds, give insulins, etc., I say go for it. It will be a great experience for you.

If they aren't, or if this is in a hospital setting, then run as fast as you can and get away from them!! You don't want to be around when this hits the fan and the state and/or JCAHO finds out.

[magn1jes]

Thanks Coffeemate, for the wonderful information. I was a little confused too; I thought that maybe they were trying to get around "the law" by not calling it a "CNA" position. It is also a small assisted living home, and not a hospital. The person I talked to said that they did all of the training there, but never mentioned anything about certification. I will try and think of a few questions that maybe I should be asking at the interview.

[CoffeemateCNA]

Obviously, try to find out as much about the position as you can, including salary.

My guess is that they are trying to hire you as a non-certified employee (even though you are a CNA) such as a "caregiver" or whatever, as an excuse to pay you less. If you are doing CNA work, and going above and beyond their "normal" duties, such as passing meds and insulins, you deserve higher salary than someone who hasn't had your amount of training. If they are paying poor wages for that amount of work, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Or maybe they're not trying to be cheapos, maybe they just used poor wording when they told you about the position.

[magn1jes]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I was told the salary on the phone, and it is much lower than I would get at a nursing home/hospital etc. I will still go to the interview, and will consider the job, because it would be good experience and I'm not sure when the next opportunity will arise. :) Thanks again.

[dsplori]

Hi maybe I can clear this up for you. I live in Illinois. I am a DSP. Direct Care Professional. I work with developmentally disabled adults in a home like setting. I do everything the above says only I do not give injections. I can administer medication because I went to med tech training. Basically we are riding on the Nurses licence. The companies Nursing staff are assigned houses they are responsible for. The staff at those houses are passing meds under her supervision. All staff passing medication must go to training through our company that is approved by DHS (Department of Human Services). I do everything a CNA does. Back in the day a dsp was called a habilitation aid. I had to go to classes and take a test. I just can not take my training and become a CNA. I would have to take CNA classes and become certified through the state. At one time it was possible to Just take the CNA test and become a certified CNA but the state changed the rules.

[dsplori]

Yes unfortunately DSP's get lower salaries than a CNA. Even though you're doing basically the same job and sometimes more than is required of a CNA. This is usually because (in our state anyway) funding for the developmentally and mentally disabled is very low. And most positions in group homes and Cilas (community integrated living arrangement) are DSP positions.

[Carlos Guajardo]

So A CNA can't Administer meds unless there a Med Aid CNA Med Aid CNAs are commonly used in nursing homes. Now on the Direct Support Professional or DSP they can Administer Meds and Assist in Insulin only after completing a Nurse Delegation Class on Each Consumer now not every DSP administers Meds the one that do are working in Group homes. Now the State Facility DSP would not ever administer meds they have LVNs to do that for the consumers.