Question about scope of practice for CNA

U.S.A. California

Published

I am a recent grad and am working in home care right now with a resident who is a vent pt as well as on hemo-dialysis. I was wondering what is within my scope of practice with both the vent and hemo-dialysis. I would like to learn as much as I can about both of these things but don't want to do anything that I'm not legally able to do. I know that home care is different from working in a nursing home.

Thanks in advance for any info you can give me!

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Please contact the CA BON to clarify your question.

There are too many variations from state to state and even situation to situation to rely on answers from a message board to this important question.

I assume you were hired to assist this gentleman with his activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and mobility. You should also be prepared to provide emergency care such as CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Beyond that, I believe you need guidance from your employer and/or the state BON.

Best to you.

This is a question that should be posed to your clinical supervisor. Your agency has limits on what you can and can not do while in their employ in the home. If you were a private employee of the patient that would be a different matter, but that does not apply here.

Okay I will have to contact CA Bon I guess.

I have asked my clinical instructor as to what I can and cannot do. I am a private employee though, I do not work for a company. I know that may change somethings. Just thought I would get an idea from others.

Thank you for your advice though!

If you are a private employee of the patient you can do anything that you and he/she agree to (you should draw up a written contract). However, be aware that you are working as a layperson and not as a CNA, because a CNA is not allowed to do many of the things that private caregivers do. In general CNAs do not engage in invasive procedures and they can not administer meds. They are, however, allowed to remind the patient to take their meds.

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