Medication Aides

Medication Aides are Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) who has gone through extra training from an approved Medication Aide training program and have been certified by the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as CNA-Medication Authority.

Employment and Education of Medication Aides

New to Colorado medications aides have been widely employed in other states. In January, 2011 Colorado has passed ruling to utilize Medication Aides in nursing facilities, community-based and intermediate care facilities, in correctional institutions and assisted living facilities. The demand for Medication Aides in Colorado is expected to grow tremendously in the near future.

Requirements for acceptance:

1. Be a CNA with current unencumbered license to work as CNA in Colorado
2. Have worked at least 1000 hours as CNA within the last 24 months
3. Possess High School Diploma or GED
4. Proof of being at least 18 years old
5. Recommendation letter from a supervising nurse
6. Pass an admission test offered by the school

Medication Aide Scope of Practice

As a Medication Aide you will be able to perform following skills under supervision of a licensed nurse:

• Observe and report any reactions and side effects of the medications
• Administer regularly prescribed medications: oral, nasal, sublingual, buccal, ophthalmic, otic, vaginal and rectal
• Initiate oxygen in emergency situations
• Obtain oxymeter readings
• Count, administer and document controlled substances
• Administer medications per G-tube, J-tube, NG-tube
• Apply topical medications
• Administer medications via metered dose inhaler
• Conduct hemocullt testing
• Perform finger stick blood glucose testing
• Administer insulin injections
• Apply a dressing to minor skin tears
• Empty and change colostomy bag

Medication Aide Certification Program

This is 123 hours program that includes 75 hours of didactic classroom hours and 48 hours of hands on clinical experience at a skilled nursing facility. During the course the students will learn about:

• The role of Medication Aide
• Delegation of tasks
• Assisting with the Nursing Process
• Basic pharmacology
• Drug orders and prescriptions
• Life Span Considerations
• Topical drugs
• Anatomy and functions of each body system
• Medication safety
• Drugs used to treat and manage diseases and disorders of all body systems
• Nutrition and Herbal Supplemental Therapy

• Count and administer medications
• Chart in patients chart and medication records
• Crush, cut, or otherwise alter medications
• Draw up insulin in a syringe and perform subcutaneous injections
• Administer liquid medications with s dropper, oral syringe, or measuring device
• Apply a cold dry compress
• Instill an enema
• Apply dressing to skin tears and G-tube sites

Morning schedule

• July 23

Evening schedule

• July 23