IHSS Paramedical Services in California: What They Include
Paramedical IHSS services allow providers to assist recipients with medical tasks that would otherwise require a licensed health professional. However, these services come with specific requirements for authorization and provider training.
What Are Paramedical Services?
Paramedical services in IHSS are tasks that:
- Are medical or health-related in nature
- Are typically performed by licensed nursing or healthcare staff
- Can be delegated to a trained non-licensed provider under a physician's order
Examples of Covered Paramedical Services
Medication assistance:- Reminding the recipient to take prescribed medications at scheduled times
- Assisting with self-administration (opening bottles, providing water)
- Administering oral medications if the provider is trained and a physician has ordered it
- Wound care and dressing changes (after training)
- Catheter care and ostomy care
- Enema administration
- Tube feeding (gastrostomy) assistance
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Respiratory care assistance (nebulizers, CPAP)
- Checking and recording vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse)
- Skin inspection for pressure sores
What Is Required to Provide Paramedical Services?
For the recipient:- A licensed physician must order the specific paramedical service in writing
- The social worker must authorize the service in the IHSS care plan
- Training from a licensed healthcare professional (nurse, doctor) in the specific task
- The provider must demonstrate competency before performing the task
- Some services require ongoing supervision by a licensed nurse
Who Provides the Training?
Training can be arranged through:
- The recipient's home health agency (if one is involved)
- The recipient's physician or specialist
- Some county Public Authorities provide basic training resources
What Happens If a Provider Performs Paramedical Services Without Authorization?
Performing medical tasks without proper authorization and training is not only an IHSS violation — it can create liability for the provider. Always ensure the task is in the care plan and you have received proper training before performing it.
For help accessing paramedical services, contact your county IHSS social worker.