Discussion

Question for RN's.

Oct 11, 200322 yr

I was just curious about something....

Recently, I was hired to work on a End Stages Alzeheimers unit and found the work very similar to what CNA friends of mine described as doing. Only I am not a CNA.

This place states on our paychecks as "CNA Rate". Only not one of us who works on this unit is a CNA.

We dress,bath,feed amongst other things for these people. Our unit is where they send people from other units to come an pass away.

One of the agency CNA's who I recently worked w/ stated "This place is really pushing it". In regards to myself and others not being CNA's.

Which leads me to believe.... Legally this facility must supposed to hire only CNA's for this particular unit. I could be wrong but this is the idea I get.

Any opinons/advice would be great.

Oct 11, 200322 yr

I believe that aides must be CNAs at any facility that accepts public monies at payment.

Oct 11, 200322 yr

What were you hired to do? I mean are they intending to have you take the CNA exam. If you have completed a certain amount of nursing school in specific areas they can show that you have an "education greater to or equal" to what you would receive in a CNA class. They can then waive the CNA program and have you sit for the exam without going through a CNA program. In this state you legally have 90 days in which you can work as a CNA in order to give you the time it takes to get your license.

I agree with the previous poster. If you are providing care for patients in a healthcare facility that receives government money you are going to have to have that certification. I won't say I know this for a fact but I am about 99% sure of it.

At all of the facilities that I've been to through agency and otherwise I have never seen non-certified caregivers that weren't on that 90 day time limit. Keep in mind also that the 90 days are only for those that have either completed a CNA program, have a certification that wasn't renewed, or have been through that certain amount of training "greater than or equal" to that of a CNA.

I'd speak with someone about the issue. I wouldn't want to end up with any personal liability issues.

Were you hired to perform direct patient care? What is your job title?

Oct 11, 200322 yr

Author

I was hired to work as a Caregiver and perform ADLs on residents. I am not an have not been enrolled in as CNA program.

As this facility is an ALF/Locked Alzhiemers unit, I do not believe they recieve pay from the public.

Sorry about not being more specific.

Jun 20, 200818 yr

i work in a alzeheimer's/dementia facility and they do not require us to be state tested..some of us are though..i dont have certification,ive taken the class and have 5 years prior experience though