Types of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in Nursing
Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is a broad term for healthcare workers who provide patient care without holding a license, such as nursing assistants, patient care technicians, and home health aides. Although they’re unlicensed, their roles are incredibly important. UAPs are often the ones who spend the most time with patients, helping with essential daily tasks, such as feeding and bathing, as well as some clinical duties. By fulfilling this essential aspect of care, they make it possible for nurses to focus on higher-level medical care.
If you want to learn more about UAP in nursing, this article breaks down the types of roles available, the duties they perform, and the typical salaries they earn.
What Is Unlicensed Assistive Personnel?
UAPs are healthcare workers who do not have a professional license. They work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or other licensed member of the clinical team, helping patients with basic care tasks such as maintaining hygiene, feeding, and repositioning.
You can become a UAP in a matter of months. Many enter the field by completing a short state-approved training program that includes classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice, where they learn the specific skills needed for their role. After completing the program, they typically must pass a competency exam and, in some cases, earn certification.
What Can Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Do?
Working under the supervision of nurses, UAPs help with many of the day-to-day tasks that keep patients comfortable and safe. From bathing and dressing to measuring vital signs and providing emotional support, they can handle a large portion of routine patient care — except tasks that require nursing judgment, clinical decision-making, or advanced medical skills.
Here are some examples of responsibilities UAPs may take on:
| Categories of Care | Examples of Tasks |
|---|---|
| Assisting with activities of daily living (ADL) | Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, and helping with mobility and transfers |
| Handling basic clinical tasks on stable patients | Taking vital signs, measuring intake and output, collecting noninvasive specimens, assisting with basic wound care |
| Supporting nurses and clinical staff | Reporting changes in patient condition, preparing patient rooms, setting up basic equipment such as Hoyer lifts and suction machines, and assisting nurses during certain procedures |
| Providing emotional support | Staying present during difficult procedures, listening to patient concerns, supporting family members, and answering basic questions (within scope) |
| Ensuring patient safety | Ensuring call lights are within reach, keeping rooms clean and organized to prevent falls, and assisting with safe positioning and timely repositioning in bed to prevent skin breakdowns |
| Documenting care provided | Recording vital signs, documenting care provided, and charting general observations |
Types of UAP in Nursing
There are several common types of UAP, and their roles may vary depending on training and work setting. Some examples include:
1. Certified Nursing Assistant
Description: Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) work under the supervision of licensed nurses, helping patients with everyday needs in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. They assist with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. CNAs may also check vital signs, record intake and output, and monitor patients on constant observation (CO) when needed.
Education: You can become a CNA in about one to three months. You’ll need to complete a specialized state-approved training program and pass a certification exam, which includes both a written (theory) test and a hands-on skills evaluation.
Average CNA salary: $41,270 per year, or $19.84 per hour
2. Patient Care Technician
Description: Patient care technicians (PCTs) are healthcare support workers who assist nurses and other clinical staff with a mix of daily care and basic clinical duties. In addition to helping patients with things like bathing and dressing, PCTs may be trained to perform more advanced tasks such as drawing blood, doing electrocardiograms (EKGs), and preparing patients for certain procedures.
Education: To become a PCT, you’ll need to complete a specialized program, usually offered at community colleges and technical training centers. These programs typically take a few months to finish. In some states, you may also need to pass a certification exam, such as one offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Check your state requirements for specific details.
Average PCT salary: About $36,000 per year
3. Patient Care Assistant
Description: As part of unlicensed assistive personnel, a patient care assistant (PCA) is a type of caregiver who is primarily responsible for assisting patients with ADL. PCAs typically do not receive the same level of training as CNAs, and for this reason, they may not be involved in clinical tasks. However, their support allows RNs and other healthcare professionals to focus on the clinical aspects of patient care.
PCAs spend much of their time with patients, giving them daily support, comfort, and companionship — which is especially important when working with residents of long-term care facilities who are living away from family.
Education: Requirements vary by employer and state. You may receive on-the-job training from a facility, residence, or organization. In some cases, you’ll need to go through a specialized training program with supervised clinical practice.
Average PCA salary: About $34,990 per year, or $16.82 per hour
4. Home Health Aide
Description: Home health aides (HHAs) provide hands-on care to patients in their homes or community settings. They support individuals who need help with ADL, such as bathing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. In addition to personal care, HHAs may remind patients to take medications, measure vital signs, and report any changes in condition to the supervising nurse or healthcare team.
Education: You’ll need to complete a short training program that includes classroom instruction and supervised hands-on practice, and receive a certification. Programs must include at least 75 training hours and 16 hours of clinical practice under federal guidelines, but some states have additional requirements.
Average HHA salary: About $34,990 per year, or $16.82 per hour
5. Caregiver
Description: The term caregiver refers to a broad range of roles that support patients with daily living activities such as feeding, bathing, and transfers. Caregivers typically work in private homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care settings where patients are not acutely ill. PCAs and HHAs are examples of roles within this category. Unlike other UAP roles, such as CNAs or PCTs, caregivers may not always require formal certification.
Education: Some caregivers receive on-the-job training, while others complete short training programs or courses. Certification options, such as the National Caregiver Certification Course (NCCC), can help you stand out to employers. Background checks are often required.
Average caregiver salary: About $34,990 per year
6. Medication Aide
Description: Medication aides are a type of unlicensed assistive personnel trained to assist patients with medication administration. They work under the supervision of licensed nurses, and their duties usually include preparing and administering routine medications for stable patients. Medication aides do not make independent clinical decisions or adjust dosages.
Education: In some states, candidates must have CNA experience before training as a medication aide; however, some states allow direct entry into training. Programs may be completed online or in person, followed by a competency exam such as the MACE.
Average medication aide salary: About $39,000 per year
7. Mental Health Technician
Description: Mental health technicians (MHTs) work in behavioral health settings such as psychiatric hospitals, mental health units, residential treatment centers, and substance use treatment facilities. Their responsibilities often include monitoring patient behavior, ensuring safety, assisting with daily living activities, leading or supporting therapeutic activities, and de-escalating situations when patients become agitated.
Education: Requirements vary by employer and state. Some facilities provide on-the-job training, while others prefer candidates who complete a specialized training program. Additional certifications, such as Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC), may be preferred or required for certain roles.
Average MHT salary: About $42,000 per year
8. Certified Medical Assistant
Description: Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are healthcare professionals who support physicians, nurses, and other licensed providers in clinical and administrative tasks. Their duties may include taking patients’ vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, collecting basic medical history information, and scheduling appointments. CMAs typically work in outpatient clinics, physician offices, and specialty practices.
Education: To start, you may not need a college degree. Some employers may offer on-the-job training or ask you to complete a specialized course. With experience, you can also pursue certification, such as Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), which is available for experienced CMAs.
Average CMA salary: About $44,720 per year, or $21.50 per hour
9. Geriatric Nursing Assistant
Description: Geriatric nursing assistants (GNAs) care for elderly patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other long-term care institutions. They work under the supervision of licensed nurses, taking care of patients’ daily needs as well as basic clinical tasks, such as measuring vital signs and turning patients to prevent pressure injuries.
Education: Most GNAs are CNAs with additional training in geriatric care and management of aging-related conditions.
Average GMA salary: About $38,000 per year
10. ER Tech
Description: Emergency room technicians, also called ER techs, work in emergency departments and assist nurses and physicians in providing care to acutely ill patients who need urgent medical interventions. Their responsibilities may include taking vital signs, performing EKGs, applying splints, and preparing patients for certain procedures.
Education: Requirements vary by state. Many ER techs complete a CNA or EMT certification before applying, and some facilities provide additional on-the-job training. Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification is often required.
Average ER tech salary: About $36,000 per year
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in Nursing: FAQ
What can a nurse delegate to a UAP?
A nurse can delegate routine, non-invasive tasks that do not require clinical decision-making. Common examples include:
| Categories of Tasks | Examples |
|---|---|
| ADLs |
|
| Basic clinical tasks for stable patients |
|
| Comfort and safety measures |
|
| Observation and reporting |
|
What tasks are UAPs prohibited from doing?
UAPs are prohibited from performing tasks that require clinical judgment or advanced technical skills. While exact rules vary by state and facility policy, the following responsibilities generally cannot be delegated:
| Categories of Tasks | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medication-related duties |
|
| Invasive or sterile procedures |
|
| Patient education |
|
| Tasks requiring critical thinking |
|
| Nursing assessment and care planning |
|
What is a typical unlicensed assistive personnel salary?
A UAP salary varies depending on the specific role, level of experience, workplace, and geographic location, but it typically ranges from $30,000 to $45,000 per year.
Some entry-level roles in healthcare that require more advanced training or certification may earn higher salaries. Examples of higher-paying positions that do not require licensure include:
- Nuclear medical tech: About $99,690 a year
- Surgical technologist: About $65,810 a year
- Diagnostic medical sonographer: About $92,550 a year
Who supervises UAPs in a hospital?
UAPs in a hospital are primarily supervised by RNs, who are responsible for delegating tasks, providing clear instructions, and monitoring patient outcomes. Licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) may also supervise UAPs, depending on state regulations and facility policies.
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