Background
One of our missions is to advocate for and drive the adoption of a standardized title that properly reflects the important role of UCPs across our community.
In the last decade UCPs are increasingly being asked to perform “nursing” skills as part of their role. Nursing skills such as (but not limited to): assessment of situations, giving medication (including injections), extensive wound care and suctioning of tracheostomies are being assigned to UCPs at escalating rates across the country. These high-risk skills, when not having standardized training can put the client and UCP at serious risk. Recognition of the expanded role of the UCP must be addressed.
Research shows us that the evolution of the UCP role mirrors that of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Therefore, an obvious choice for a standardized title that clearly connects UCPs to nursing would be Nurse’s Aide or Nursing Assistant. Unfortunately, the title “Nurse” is protected, and legislation dictates that using any form of nurse in a title is prohibited.
One of the CACCE’s missions is to advocate for and drive the adoption of a standardized title that effectively reflects the important role of UCPs across our community.
In the survey you will see a consolidated list of titles based on the 100’s we considered. Our team consulted with marketing, legal and HR experts to review all the current titles in use. Here are the criteria we used to curate the list.
- Ensure new title can be applied to all settings
- Do not include the word worker – not professional, very task-oriented term
- Ensure that personal care, community support and in- home management covered within title
- Do not include the term “provider” as it is too generic
- Do not include patient or resident in title - too specific to workplace setting
- Do not use the term Assistant- as it is not clear “who” you are assisting and too broad of a term
Consider using “Aide” in the title. Doing this may allow for activists to advocate for title protection for “Aide”.
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