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A new law expanding the scope of tasks certified nursing assistants can perform in assisted living communities lacks clarity, according to a senior living expert.

CS / HB 469, Patient Care in Health Care Facilities, filed by Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce), was passed in April and went into effect July 1. 

But Florida Assisted Living Association Lead Consultant and Trainer Alberta Granger told McKnight’s Senior Living that the language in the bill is focused on upgrading the duties of unlicensed CNAs and home health aides in medical settings in nursing homes.

The law allows “unlicensed persons” and CNAs or home health aides to assist residents with medications and devices, including transdermal patches, insulin syringes prefilled by a pharmacist, and insulin pens prefilled by the manufacturer.

The bill also expands the scope of practice of unlicensed home health aides and CNAs in assisted living settings to help residents with using glucometers to perform blood-glucose level checks, putting on and taking off anti-embolism stockings, applying and removing oxygen cannulas, using continuous positive airway pressure devices, measuring vital signs and assisting with colostomy bags.

Granger said that a distinct difference exists in the definition of “unlicensed persons” and CNAs in assisted living community regulations. Although both positions are “unlicensed,” the majority of assisted living communities do not hire CNAs, she said.

“Assisted living facilities often hire ‘trained, unlicensed persons’ to assist residents with the self-administration of medication,” Granger said. “CS / HB 469 lacks clarity for ‘unlicensed trained persons’ to perform the specific tasks for prefilled syringes and insulin pens, as has been authorized for CNAs and home health aides.”

The bill also addresses staffing requirements for advanced life support ambulances during interfacility transfers, and it adjusts staffing requirements in those ambulances.