Question what Nurse Techs & Med techs can do

[nursetweety]

I work in a LTC facility. We have quite a few nurse techs and med techs working. It used to be that the nurse techs could do most everything but they needed to have an RN cosign their charting. But now they can't do insulins or tube feedings and they can't do any charting. The RN or an LPN has to do their charting. Is this the way they do this where you work?

Nurse Tweety

[SDALPN]

When applying to jobs I talked to a few LTC facilities who had them and what you are describing is what was explained to me. I have never worked with them before though. I worry that if they make an error and are working under our license that we can be held responsible.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I don't know why there would be a difference between LTC and acute care in this situation, but I know that in acute care the techs are Unlicensed Assistive Personnel. The state Board has rules about how to delegate to unlicensed personnel. The nurse practice act should answer your questions and give you "ammunition" to get policies updated. Routine, non-sterile tasks for a stable patient are generally ok for UAP's. A nurse would have to do the assessment, teaching, provide any nursing judgement, delegate accordingly and the UAP would have to have documented competency with that task.

[nightmare, RN]

What's the difference between a CNA and a tech then?(for those of us that are foreigners!)

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

As far as I know, Massachusetts doesn't allow for techs in LTC to give meds or do anything. Of course we have CNAs but they do NOT give meds.

[dcnballmom, ASN, RN]

in the LTC where i work in MD they are called medication aides - and they are allowed to do med pass, chart with a cosigning nurse, assist with assessments - is it like that in other places too?

[kbrigham]

i am new to washington. Where i moved from i worked at the hospital as a patient care technician or nurse tech. i have went through 3 semesters of nursing school and am wanting to get a job here at a local hospital. Do i have to be licensed to be a nurse tech or what does washington consider a nurse tech? Does anyone know the pay?