Can a nurse delegate tasks to home care caregivers in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska lets nurses delegate tasks to unlicensed caregivers, including staff of home and community-based services providers. The caregiver must pass a Board-approved course before giving routine non-injected medicines. Simple dressing changes, blood glucose checks, and adding fluid to established tube feedings are allowed as specialized tasks, with an on-site RN check at least every 90 days. The rules let only certified medical assistants in clinics give injections, so insulin injections cannot be delegated to home aides.

What conditions apply?

• An RN assesses the patient and decides whether the task can be delegated safely
• The patient's condition must be stable and predictable
• The task cannot need professional nursing judgment or complex skills
• The nurse gives written, task-specific instructions and keeps a copy on record
• Delegation applies to one named person for one named patient
• Medication can be delegated only to home and community-based services providers, residential supported living providers, school staff, CNAs in long-term care, or certified medical assistants
• The caregiver passes a Board-approved medication administration course
• Routine medication is limited to oral, topical, transdermal, nasal, inhaled, eye, ear, vaginal, and rectal routes
• Non-controlled PRN medication only after the nurse assesses the patient and writes instructions
• For specialized tasks, the nurse does an on-site evaluation at least every 90 days
• A nurse stays available for consultation in person or by phone

What is the difference between medication reminders and administration?

Reminding a client to take their medicine, or handing them a container they open themselves, is usually treated as assistance. Giving the medicine, such as placing pills in the mouth, giving an injection or crushing tablets, is administration and generally needs a license or nurse delegation. Check your state's rule and the client's care plan.

What should you confirm with the state?

The rules don't say 'insulin' outright. The conclusion comes from the list of allowed routes, so confirm with the Board for a specific client.