Certified Medication Technician

20312

Advisors: Jennifer Carlson

This program enhances the career ladder for the experienced certified nursing assistant or licensed nursing assistant, qualifying them to take the exam to become a certified medication assistant. 

This certificate provides basic background information and routine procedures that are essential for the safe administration of select medications by experienced nursing assistants in a long-term care facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

  
The Board of Nursing may not consider applications for certification as a Certified Medication Assistant if the applicant has any felony convictions and has not received an absolute discharge from the sentence(s) for all felony convictions. The absolute discharge must be received five or more years before the Board of Nursing processes the application. The Arizona State Board of Nursing requirements for certification also include proof of legal presence in the United States and disclosure of any felony conviction(s). 

Courses in the program may require vaccinations or other medical tests. See course descriptions for additional information. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 40 hours in a skilled nursing facility. 

Program Learning Outcomes
1.    Apply standards of ethics and integrity while functioning as a nursing assistant and certified medication assistant.
2.    Communicate pertinent variations outside of norms to the supervising nurse. 
3.    Demonstrate accuracy of data collection in the clinical setting. 
4.    Describe and demonstrate confidentiality within the healthcare setting according to HIPAA standards. 
5.    Explain the role of the Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) in Arizona including allowable acts, conditions, and restrictions.
6.    Outline the principles, terminology, laws, and drug references as they apply to administration of medications.
7.    Explain principles of medications’ actions.
8.    Explain principles of medication administration and nursing care considerations when administering medications to clients of all ages.
9.    Accurately calculate medication dosages.
10.    Describe measures to promote safe medication administration in health care facilities.
11.    Describe medication properties, uses, adverse effects, administration of, education, and nursing assistant care of residents receiving certain types of medications.