Direct Care Professional vs. Certified Nursing Assistant: Gaining Valuable Experience in the Field
Written by: Jillian Arkoff, Direct Care Professional. Edited by: Brianna Palkki, Sr. Recruiting Supervisor & Marketing Manager
If you're exploring a career in healthcare, you've likely heard of both a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Direct Care Professional (DCP). While these roles may seem similar at first glance, both centered on providing care and support, they offer significantly different experiences, responsibilities, and professional development opportunities. There are some key differences between being a CNA and a DCP. Becoming a Direct Care Professional, especially at ACR Homes, offers unparalleled hands-on experience for those considering advanced healthcare careers.
What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Do?
A CNA typically works under the supervision of nursing staff in hospitals, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. Their responsibilities include feeding patients, assisting with mobility, taking vital signs, repositioning individuals, and performing basic hygiene tasks like bathing and changing linens. CNAs are a crucial part of a patient’s daily care and ensure basic needs are met with dignity and efficiency.
However, their scope of practice is generally limited in comparison to that of a DCP. CNAs are not trained or authorized to administer medications, work with more specialized medical equipment, or perform advanced medical tasks. This can limit the depth of experience they gain, especially for Pre-Med, Nursing, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, or pre-PA students seeking a more robust clinical background.
What Does a Direct Care Professional (DCP) Do?
A DCP, especially at organizations like ACR Homes, performs all the tasks a CNA does and goes far beyond, often doing tasks that LPNs or RNs perform in other healthcare facilities. DCPs are trained in administering medications, some even being allow to offer injections such as insulin and epi-pens. They’re also involved in performing daily therapies, using advanced medical equipment like oxygen tanks and tracheostomy kits, and even completing sterile procedures like catheterizations and oral suctioning.
Therapies include using standers, gait trainers, applying AFOs and other splints, and assisting with range-of-motion exercises. These hands-on responsibilities provide DCPs with meaningful opportunities to support both physical rehabilitation and overall health improvement.
More than that, DCPs are entrusted with high-level responsibilities that provide unmatched clinical exposure. They accompany residents and advocate for care during routine appointments and work hospital shifts when residents are hospitalized. Additionally, they interact directly with pharmacies to fill prescriptions. DCPs are trained to recognize changes in a resident’s medical condition, follow protocols, and even suggest modifications to care plans, something CNAs typically are not authorized to do.
Why Being a DCP at ACR Homes Gives You Indispensable Experience
At ACR Homes, DCPs receive extensive training that not only matches but exceeds that of a CNA. Overall, DCPs at ACR gain significantly more experience across the board, from medication administration to behavior management to sterile technique. These opportunities are especially valuable for students preparing for clinical graduate programs, which value depth of care experience and decision-making in real-world medical settings.
A DCP role also fosters stronger relationships with residents. Because you work closely with individuals in a home-based setting with smaller staff to resident ratios, you see the long-term impact of your care, develop empathy, and grow confident in your skills. The ability to observe disease progression, treatment outcomes, and patient responses in such a setting is rare and highly beneficial for any future healthcare provider.
While both CNAs and DCPs assist with essential daily care, only DCPs administer medications, perform advanced medical procedures, and participate in complex care decision-making. CNAs are often limited to the basics, while DCPs gain broader clinical exposure, hands-on technical experience, and critical thinking skills. In short, a CNA provides foundational care, while a DCP builds the experience that forms the next step in a healthcare career.
Choosing to become a Direct Care Professional, especially at ACR Homes, allows you to develop a more comprehensive skill set, gain confidence in medical environments, and truly make a difference in someone's life. Whether you're preparing for PA school, med school, or nursing, becoming a DCP gives you the kind of real-world clinical experience that can set you apart and make you a better provider in the future.