7 Major Differences Between Home Health Aides (HHA) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)
There are several major differences between HHA’s and CNA’s. Most noteworthy is that the HHA is not required to have a license and the CNA is required to have a license. In addition, certifications and training course requirements vary, and the services each can offer differ. Depending on the severity of your aging parents needs, a CNA or HHA could be beneficial. After reviewing this list of the major differences, you’ll have a better idea of the services offered by each type of in home caretaker. Therefore you can make an informed decision on which one is better suited to the needs of your loved one.
1. CNA’s are licensed
Becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant requires licensing in the state of Florida. CNA’s must take a course, training program and exam. These must be state approved programs. Upon completing these components, one can apply to become a Licensed Certified Nurse Assistant. This licensure is governed and regulated by both the state of Florida, and national boards.
2. HHA’s are certified
A home health aide, while not licensed in the state of Florida, is required to obtain a certification. This certification is governed by the AHCA (The Agency for Healthcare Administration.) The certificate is awarded to those who have taken an approved training program.
3. CNA’s provide direct patient care
Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of medical doctors or registered nurses. This means that, while they cannot diagnose patients, they can directly treat patients and administer care. If you have a sick eldery parent at home, CNA’s are a great resource to provide direct care. Certified nursing assistants in Florida can administer medications, and run certain assessments and evaluations. CNA’s can also run certain procedures or tests on patients.
4. HHA offers day to day care
Since home health aides are not licensed they are a little more limited in their
scope of service. Home health aides cannot run certain diagnostic tests or procedures, but they can administer medication, assist with day to day care, and in home care of patients. Home health aides are a great support for a family with a live in parent who need daily support. HHA’s can also provide on call nursing services in Miami.
CNA’s provide care and companionship
Certified nursing assistants are both healthcare providers and companions. As in home nurses, they’ll be able to assist with medical procedures, administer shots, run some tests and dress wounds. They can also support your sick parent at home by bathing them, feeding them, and doing light cleaning and room
preparations.
HHA’s must complete an approved training
HHA training courses in Florida are either 40 hours or 75 hours and run by various organizations. These training courses include classroom work with a guided curriculum. The training also includes some clinical practice hours.
It is handy to travel with a first aid kit, and be prepared with some first response skills, such as CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver. Know signs of heart attacks, strokes, and any other life threatening issues that are specifically relevant to your loved one’s diseases.
CNA’s practice under doctors and registered nurses
Because of their licensing, certified nursing assistants are approved to take on various patient directed procedures from the orders of medical doctors or registered nurses. This means your CNA can communicate directly with any other medical doctor or registered nurse provider you currently work with, and implement the prescribed care plan.
Knowing these major differences between home health aides and certified nursing assistants should alleviate some stress from the in home care search process. After having read this list you should have a clear idea of what type of in home care services your sick parent needs. With this information it should be easier to decide how to care for your sick or elderly parent with a home health agency in Miami. Specialized Nursing Services is proud to support your elderly or sick parent in the home as one of the best nursing agencies in Miami Florida. We can support your needs with both CNA’s or HHA’s.
Will you go with a home health aide or certified nursing assistant? Have questions? Give us a call or send us a message:
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