Restorative assistant

Missingyou, CNA · Oct 4, 2015

I work in a nursing home. We have restorative aides that do not have to go get additional certification. They are trained by the physical therapist on staff.

hookyarnandblanket · Oct 8, 2015

They are probably doing functional maintenance. A fully prescribed RA program can only be administered with a qualified RN or physical therapist and certified RA and physcians' orders. So far the class has been interesting.

Missingyou, CNA · Oct 8, 2015

They are probably doing functional maintenance. A fully prescribed RA program can only be administered with a qualified RN or physical therapist and certified RA and physcians' orders. So far the class has been interesting.

Interesting thought. In the state I live in, there is no "RA program" that can be taken in order to become a "certified restorative aide". The only option here is to be trained by the physical therapist on the job....which doesn't require more than 8 days of "orientation" to the position.

If you were to get additional certification it would mean you are taking classes to be a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant or a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant...both of which require a 2 year degree & pay MUCH more than a RA in a nursing home. Once you are a CPTA or a COTA you are technically no longer a CNA since your position will allow you to only do therapy assistance with minimal to no direct care. I looked into these programs years ago.

Wish we did have the option of getting additional classes and certification! How long are your classes? Is it "on the job training"?

hookyarnandblanket · Oct 9, 2015

The class is two weeks online with a skills competency checklist to be done by a RN or a PT. It's mostly basic musculo-skeletal information, ROM, transfer, and gait training. I have an advantage since I have been "shadowing" the current RA. Anything done with weights, therabands, or the hand restorator has to be done by PT or the RA. Everything else is fair game for CNAs.