Although they seem similar, caregivers and CNAs have different day to day responsibilities, and require different qualifications.    First, caregivers require less education than CNA’s do. Caregiver training courses can be taken online, typically within a few months. On the contrary, CNAs are required to have at least 100 training hours in order to be considered for positions.    Similarly, caregivers do not have to have any particular requirements that are needed for them to get a job as a caregiver. However CNAs have to successfully complete a certification exam for their respective states.    Most drastically, caregivers are intended to require care to patients and typically are only performing non-medical tasks. CNAs are intended to provide medical assistance. This means, they assist with getting patient vitals, preparing for surgery, and cleaning medical equipment under the directive of RNs or Doctors.    Both caregivers and CNAs provide care for people who need it, and both careers are an asset to the healthcare industry. Knowing the difference between the two is crucial because organizations should know what they are needing before they start their recruiting efforts. Some positions may require more medical background candidates, in which case, it would be beneficial to look for CNAs to fill this position. Some positions simply need a person to care for an individual who cannot do things for themselves, and in that case it is beneficial to go with a caregiver.