Understanding the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing can help you decide which direction to take your career. While both types of facilities are there to help people, they have a couple of differences.
Yes, each has its own standards, but thankfully, Pennsylvania has made it easy to get started in both. Understanding the purpose of skilled nursing and assisted living will help you get your career started. So, here’s what you need to know!
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living provides more of a residential lifestyle than a skilled nursing facility. Here, the quality of care is relatively high. You will not need to be a Certified Nursing Assistant. However, you will not be working in a lab, and you don’t have to be a Registered Nurse.
Assisted living is more for someone who does not need around-the-clock nursing care. However, they do need some help in the day-to-day living—that’s where you come in.
As your help is more along the lines of assisted daily living tasks, you can expect to take on tasks such as eating, getting dressed, and passing out medications. Moreover, entry-level positions of being a medical tech allow you to get into the industry without having to be responsible for the technical know-how of handling someone’s illness or injury.
What is Skilled Nursing?
Skilled Nursing offers more intensive nursing care. Typically done in skilled nursing facilities, it is usually the type of care offered in hospitals. This is less of a residential lifestyle for the patient, and more finely tuned to the individual’s illnesses and medical difficulties.
If someone has a stroke, they will require skilled nursing. While doctors and Registered Nurses work here, you can still be an entry-level med tech. This rewarding position will get you in the door and help you begin your path in this industry.
Moreover, a med tech is also able to work in a skilled nursing facility. Your job entails passing out medications, pushing the cart, and helping the aides get their work done. Ultimately, you’re given the opportunity to work with the person more directly instead of dealing with the medical technicalities of that patient’s needs.
What is CynaMed?
CynaMed is a company that specializes in helping people get started as med techs. They have strong relationships with local employers looking to hire healthcare professionals. Ready to get started? Click here to find out how they can help you start working in the rewarding field of healthcare.
