From Home Care Worker to CNA – The Future Looks Bright
Tuesday, January 19
Despite the fact that the new training standards for home care workers (passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2008) has been delayed because of the state’s budget problems, home care workers are still starting to get the respect they deserve.
On Monday, legislation was introduced in both the House and the Senate creating a career pathway for home care workers, making it easier for them to move into other high-demand healthcare fields. They both have strong bi-partisan support.
According to the language in each bill, “Certified Home Care Aides and medical assistants are a valuable potential source of nursing assistants who will be needed to meet the care needs of the state’s growing aging population.”
The legislation would recognize prior training in home care if a home care worker wants to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Currently home care workers have to start over with training when trying to become a CNA – despite the fact that home care workers do similar work. Under the new law, if a caregiver has gone through the new 75-hour home care worker training and passed the certification test (which goes into effect in 2011), they would only need another 24 hours of training to also become a CNA.
HB 2766 was introduced in the House of Representatives by
Rep. Eileen Cody, chairwoman of the
House Committee on Health Care and Wellness.
was introduced in the Senate by
Sen. Karen Keiser, chairwoman of the
Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee. These bills are “companion” bills, meaning that that the language in each is the same.
The House Bill was referred to Rep. Cody’s Health Care and Wellness Committee and the Senate Bill was referred to Sen. Keiser’s Health and Long-Term Care Committee. No hearings have yet been scheduled.
Although long-term care is facing significant budget cuts, home care workers still have reason to be optimistic about their future in long-term care.