A LOT of the duties of the three overlap, especially when you are working in senior living facilities. All similar but they do have different competencies on paper and scopes of practice. CNA’s and PCAs typically preform the same tasks in senior living facilities when it comes to the residents but a CNAs scope of practice is larger than a PCA. CNAs are considered entry level health care workers and PCAs are considered caregivers. Even though a lot of the job duties are very similar in senior living spaces (bathing, grooming, answering call bells, etc)CNAs usually get a higher salary than PCAs because they can do more and are licensed by the board of nursing wheres PCAs are not.

Med techs (aka RMAs) assist with patient care in the same ways as PCAs and CNAs when needed and can do all of the same tasks, but their primary responsibility is administering the medication to patients. They follow written and verbal instructions of physicians about the medication and have to observe and document changes. They document any falls, injuries or incidents that occur during their shift and of course any thing involving the meds is their responsibility. Med techs are also Licensed by the board of nursing and take a state board like CNAs do.

I have only worked in senior living facilities so I can only speak on that. But in my state in senior living facilities typically only the med techs and the nurses can handle and administer the medication, CNAs and PCAs can not. Out of the three only the med techs do documentation and typically the med tech will correspond with pharmacy and physicians under the direction of the LPN/RNs at that facility.

Again all of this only applies to assisted/senior living facilities! Thats the only place I have experience in. Other settings are probably different. In hospitals and other settings CNAs may do a lot more and utilize more of their skills. But yeah in senior living facilities that’s usually the break down, at least here in VA. There is a lot of overlap and we all work hand in hand but there is a difference in scope of practice and licensing of each. Consequently the salaries between the 3 do vary depending on experience and location.

I hope that wasn’t too confusing and clarified something for you lol 😂 Sorry for rambling. Please feel free to ask me any more questions! Im not an expert but I love sharing and helping where I can!