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

Yes. Utah's rule lets an RN delegate routine, low-risk nursing tasks to unlicensed staff in any non-school setting, including a client's home, after assessing the client. The rule does not list specific tasks or say whether medication administration or insulin can be delegated. The state also publishes a list of health care tasks unlicensed people may do without any delegation.

What conditions apply?

• RN makes a focused nursing assessment before deciding what to delegate
• Task must be routine for that client, low hazard, predictable in outcome, done under an existing plan of care, and not involve nursing judgment
• RN gives instruction and verifies competence by demonstration (or uses the agency's competency records)
• RN or another qualified nurse must be readily available in person or by phone, with ongoing monitoring for repeated tasks
• Caregiver may not pass the task to someone else or expand it

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?

Confirm with the Utah Board of Nursing whether a specific medication task can be delegated, and check the DOPL list of tasks that need no delegation.