Certified Medication Assistant

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The Certified Medication Assistant is 5-week program of fulltime instruction with a total of 100 clock hours designed to provide basic background information and routine procedures that are essential for the safe administration of selected medications by experienced Certified Nursing Assistants in a long-term care facility. This includes administering medications to long term care residents, documenting medications given and assisting the nursing staff with the administration of medications. Successful completion of the course qualifies the student to take the AZ Certified Medication Assistant examination. This training is licensed by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All Interested participants must submit a completed admission application either by mail or in person. The  Admission Representative will contact and interview the participant to ensure all requirements for acceptance are met. The following items are required to process the application:

• Admission Application.
• Request for High School Diploma or GED.
• Pass the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE): The TABE test is a diagnostic test used to determine a student’s skill levels and aptitudes. Students must obtain 8.0 score in order to enroll in classes at the College of Health Careers and/on under the discretion of the President & CEO student may be admitted to the program. Individuals with a post-secondary degree (i.e. Associates, Bachelors, Masters) may be exempt from taking TABE if official documentation is provided.
• Tuition Payment Plan Contract; if applicable.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. College of Health Careers, a student must:

• Pass all required program of study programs laboratory/clinical, and internships.
• File a completed application for Graduation form.
• Clear any indebtedness to the training center before certificate is awarded.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Certified Medication Assistant requirements include: must be an active Arizona Licensed Nursing Assistant.

Orientation

Clock Hours: 0 Lecture, 0 Lab. Prerequisites: None.
Students will be provided an overall orientation of Regional Center for Border Health, Inc./College of Health Careers and complete required student file forms.  During this orientation, students will be provided with a brief overview of the course and coursework required. They will begin to work with medical terminology with an evaluation to gauge their understanding.  Students will be taught how to “break down” medical terms using prefixes, root words and suffixes to promote a basic understanding of the terminology used in the medical field. 

Certified Medication Assistant role in nursing process/Ethics and laws

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture, 2 Lab.
Students will learn the role of the Medication Assistant along with helping in the nursing process. They will gain an understanding about the nursing process and will learn the state laws that govern what a CMA is allowed to do in the role. 

Body structure and function through the ages/Infection control

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture, 2 Lab. Prerequisites: Certified Medication Assistant role in nursing process/Ethics and laws
During this course, the students will learn about how infections occur, how they may be transmitted and how to prevent the spread of pathogens. Students will learn and understand Standard Precautions and learn about Blood Borne Pathogen standards as it applies to the workplace. Students will begin the learning process of basic nursing skills by viewing demonstrations and then performing the skill under the supervision of the instructor/assistant. By learning these skills early in the program, the skill will be reinforced for appropriate practices throughout the program.

Medication Safety

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture, 4 Lab. Prerequisites: Body structure and function through the ages/Infection control
Students will learn drug classifications and how they act in the human body. Students will be able to identify components of drug orders.  They will understand Medication administration record (MRA). Students will learn how controlled substances are handled. Students will be able to explain how drugs are stored and disposed of.  Students will understand the 6 Right of Drug Administration.

Medication Delivery Options 

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture, 4 Lab. Prerequisites: Medication Safety
Students will learn drug classifications and how they act in the human body. Students will be able to identify components of drug orders.  They will understand Medication administration record (MRA). Students will learn how controlled substances are handled. Students will be able to explain how drugs are stored and disposed of.  Students will understand the 6 Right of Drug Administration.  

Dosage Calculations

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture, 2 Lab. Prerequisites: Medication Delivery Options
Students will learn to recognize differ systems of measurements and how to convert those. They will learn to calculate number of tablets to give if ordered amount does not match on-hand supply. They will be able to calculate amount of liquid to pour.  

Nervous System Medications

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture. Prerequisites: Dosage Calculations
Students will recall the structure and function of the nervous and sensory systems.  They will be able to discuss characteristics of nervous system disorders, drug treatment, and associated nursing assistant care.

Cardiovascular Medications

Clock Hours: 8 Lecture. Prerequisites: Nervous System Medications
Students will review cardiovascular system and the diseases that are associated with the system. They will learn the principles of safely administering cardiovascular medications that have certain requirements or ranges for administration. 

Respiratory/Gastrointestinal Medications

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture. Prerequisites: Cardiovascular Medications
Students will learn common respiratory disorders and the medications that treat these disorders.  They will learn common gastrointestinal disorders and the medications that treat the disease. 

Endocrine and Reproductive Medications Eye Medications

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture. Prerequisites: Respiratory /Gastrointestinal Medications
Students will learn the structure and function of endocrine glands and the reproductive system.  They will learn about the diseases these systems and medications that treat them.   

Medications for Urinary, Eyes, Cancer, Muscles, Infections and Herbal/Vitamins

Clock Hours: 4 Lecture. Prerequisites: Endocrine and Reproductive Medications eye Medications
Students will be able to understand disorders and medications that treat disorders within the body system. 

Clinical Externship

Clock Hours: 40 Lecture. Prerequisites: Successfully pass all previous lecture/laboratory requirements
Students will observe, demonstrate and assist with medication passes to nursing home residents in affiliated facilities.  Students will be supervised by their instructor for every medication pass.  Students are expected to safely demonstrate skills learned in the laboratory setting and apply knowledge gained from lectures and report/document properly. 

Final Exam and Skills Final

Clock Hours: 1 Lecture, 1 Lab. Prerequisites: Successfully completion of all previous lectures, laboratory and clinical externship requirements 

Certified Medication Assistant Program Costs:

Tuition 100 hours: $1,025.00
Registration Fee (non refundable): $50.00 
Uniforms: $80.00
Books: $170.00 
Supplies/Materials: $80.00
Certification Exam: $95.00 
Total Cost: $1,500.00