This Medication Aide Program prepares students to safely administer medications in specific settings or to assist in client self-administration. This class includes lecture, skills lab, and clinical experiences. Students will be able to facilitate or assist the client with the administration of insulin, prepare for safe administration of medications to clients in assisted-living facilities, maintain aseptic conditions, understand basic pharmacology, follow appropriate procedures for documentation and much more!
However, due to the current situation, a portion of this course may use online components. Therefore, computer/internet access is required. Pre-requisites: Successful completion of a 40-hour direct care staff training required by the Department of Social Services for Assisted-Living Facilities, a Department of Medical Assistance Services approved personal care aide training program or successful completion of a Board of Nursing Nurse Aide training program. The certification exam must be taken at a PSI testing center which is not included in the tuition.
Career Overview
A Medication Aide can safely administer, or assist in client self-administration, medications in specific settings.
Job Duties
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- Facilitate or assist the client with the administration of insulin
- Prepare for safe administration of medications to clients in assisted living facilities
- Maintain aseptic conditions
- Understand basic pharmacology (terminology, abbreviations, classifications, drug actions, purpose and effects of medications, drug information resources, drug labeling requirements)
- Facilitate client self-administration or assistance with medication administration
- Follow safe and proper procedure for preparing, administering, documentation, and maintaining medications
- Follow appropriate procedures for documentation and reporting of medication administration to the licensed healthcare professional on duty at the facility or to the client’s prescriber
Employment Outlook
According to the BLS, jobs for nursing assistants and orderlies are expected to grow at a relatively fast rate of 20 percent between through 2020, leading to an estimated 302,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. Due to a high turnover rate in the industry, many additional positions are expected to become available as current workers retire or leave the profession. Nursing assistants with a Medication Aide certification have even better prospects.
- View local salary and job market information here >>>
Admission Requirement
Pre-requisites: Successful completion of a 40-hour direct care staff training required by the Department of Social Services for Assisted Living Facilities, a Department of Medical Assistance Services approved personal care aide training program or successful completion of a Board of Nursing nurse aide training program. Students must also complete a WorkKeys Assessment prior to registration.
What funding options are available?
The medication aide program is a FastForward program and is also eligible for the G3 scholarship. Eligible residents who have been living in Virginia for at least one year may qualify for FastForward and pay only one-third of the cost of tuition. Since this is also a G3 program, you may be eligible for last-dollar funding, bringing your total tuition to $0. Please review the G3 information page, which outlines income qualifications and if you think you qualify or if you have any questions, please contact our operations team at 540-868-7021 to get registered.
Additional financial assistance, grant funding, and Sallie Mae loans are available here for eligible students.
Download our Program Student Handbook
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Certification
Registered Medication Aide License from the Virginia Board of Nursing
