Working under your License

[AndiMac]

I was reading on another forum/thread in New Jersey, I believe, that by law, an LPN can not work as an aide, working under their license.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this true in Ohio also?

[AnneM]

I think that this means if an LPN accepts a job as an aide, she has to be careful not to cross the line and stay within the "aide" job description. If she started doing things that an LPN might be able to do, she could be in difficulty with the job. This could be things such as medications, catheters, enemas, etc. things that aides would not be allowed to do (depending on where they work) but might be withing the job description for a LPN.

I hire LPNs with my company and have to make sure if they are working as an Aide that they really understand the job description and not cross over into nursing.

[Rapheal]

Check with your BON but in many states a licensed health care provider must work under their HIGHEST license. Such as an RN must work as an RN not an LPN. You can always perform duties that are covered under your license such as the BP's, vitals that an aide does but your are responsible to intervene under your highest license. I think this is done to protect patients from someone trained to intervene but doesn't- so they can't cite that their job role superceded their ability to perform need interventions.