{"id":8377,"date":"2024-07-08T14:00:25","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T14:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=8377"},"modified":"2024-07-08T14:22:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T14:22:20","slug":"hha-vs-cna-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/hha-vs-cna-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"HHA vs CNA: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to get into healthcare but don\u2019t have the finances or time for a lengthy education, a <\/span>certified nursing assistant<\/span><\/a> (CNA) or <\/span>home health aide<\/span><\/a> (HHA) career could be a great place for you to start. Although many people use these terms interchangeably because they think CNAs and HHAs are the same, they would be mistaken in many states. Let\u2019s discuss the importance of these two roles in healthcare and explore the major differences between them, including salary expectations for <\/span>travel and staff jobs<\/span><\/a> in various states.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Roles?<\/b><\/h3>\n

CNAs and HHAs are valued healthcare team members who perform essential tasks. As a nurse working with primarily CNAs daily, I personally can\u2019t overstate the importance of these roles enough. CNAs and HHAs provide patients with a level of care they otherwise may not receive and help ensure a positive patient experience. CNAs typically work in hospitals and assist with supporting patient care, while HHAs focus on one-on-one patient care within patient\u2019s homes.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Are Scopes of Practice Different?<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"CNA<\/p>\n

While some CNA and HHA tasks overlap in the personal care area, a significant difference between their scopes of practice is that HHAs can\u2019t provide any medically related tasks. These tasks include administering medications, changing dressings, taking vital signs, applying medicated lotions to a patient\u2019s skin and other similar tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, some states allow HHAs to administer medications under supervision and take vital signs. In most states, CNAs can perform medically related tasks that HHAs can\u2019t, including administering medications and drawing blood after they receive appropriate training.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither CNAs nor HHAs can perform medical tasks like deep wound care, patient assessments or giving injections. They must follow a care plan developed by the care team. Both must comply with state regulations, respect patient confidentiality and can\u2019t provide medical advice or perform tasks beyond their approved scope of practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because allowed tasks can vary by state, it\u2019s crucial for CNAs and HHAs to understand what they can and can\u2019t do. If another healthcare professional tells you to do something outside your scope of care, you could jeopardize your job and professional certifications and even potentially face legal consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typical CNA Scope of Practice<\/b><\/h4>\n

CNA jobs<\/span><\/a> are typically in healthcare facilities under the supervision of <\/span>registered nurses<\/span><\/a> (RNs) or <\/span>licensed practical\/vocational nurses<\/span><\/a> (LPN\/LVN). They assist patients with the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n