Comparing Caregivers and CNAs in Pennsylvania

When exploring a career in home care or looking for help for a loved one, you need to understand the difference between a non-medical caregiver and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Both professionals help older adults and people with disabilities, but their training and work environments differ.

A non-medical caregiver assists with daily tasks in a client’s home. A CNA holds a state certification and often works in medical settings, though they can also work in home care.

Caregiver Training and Competency in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not require a state certification or license to work as a non-medical direct care worker. However, home care agencies must ensure their employees are qualified before they start working with clients.

Under Pennsylvania law, caregivers must demonstrate competency. They can do this by passing an agency evaluation or completing a training program. Required training topics include basic infection control, handling emergencies, recognizing abuse, and consumer control.

If the caregiver provides personal care, they must also show competency in bathing, shaving, grooming, transferring, toileting, and assisting with self-administered medications. Agencies must also conduct a criminal background check, obtain at least two references, and ensure the worker has a current tuberculosis (TB) screening before they contact consumers.

CNA Training and the Pennsylvania Registry

Becoming a CNA requires formal education. Candidates must complete a state-approved nurse aide training program. Schools across the state, such as the Community College of Philadelphia, offer these courses. The length of the program varies by school.

After finishing the coursework, students must pass the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide competency exam, which is administered through Credentia. Passing this exam places the worker on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry, allowing them to use the CNA title and work in clinical facilities.

Pay Expectations for Caregivers and CNAs

Wages for home care workers depend on location and the agency’s pay scale. According to 2025 data, the median hourly wage for home health and personal care aides in Pennsylvania is $14.14. In the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median wage is $14.33 per hour.

Nationally, the median wage for these aides is $17.21 per hour. CNA pay varies by employer and the specific healthcare setting. Because CNAs hold a state certification, hospitals and nursing facilities often have different pay structures than non-medical home care agencies.

Looking for a home care job in Philadelphia? Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form. Choose “I am a caregiver” and then “I already have a client” to apply today.

Which Professional Does Your Family Need at Home?

If you are choosing care for a loved one, your decision depends on their specific needs. A non-medical caregiver is the right choice if your family member needs help with daily activities. Caregivers handle personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and ambulation. They also provide companionship and assist with household tasks like preparing meals and doing laundry.

If your loved one needs skilled medical services, a non-medical caregiver cannot perform those tasks. Pennsylvania law prohibits home care aides from doing wound care, giving injections, managing IVs, or administering medications.

For skilled needs, you must hire licensed nurses or therapists. Medicare home health covers part-time skilled nursing when prescribed by a doctor, but it does not cover 24-hour care or personal care when that is the only service needed.

Career Path: Moving from Caregiver to CNA

Many healthcare professionals begin their careers as non-medical caregivers. Working in home care provides hands-on experience with older adults and teaches communication, patience, and basic infection control.

If you want to expand your skills, you can transition from a caregiver to a CNA. You will need to complete a state-approved training program and pass the state exam. This opens up opportunities to work in hospitals or nursing homes.

New Century Home Care hires for multiple roles. We employ caregivers, home health aides, and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) to support clients throughout the Philadelphia area. You can learn more about these roles in our caregiver guide.

Start your caregiving career with New Century Home Care. Call 215-974-0000 or visit our website to fill out the contact form, selecting “I am a caregiver” and “I already have a client.”