Medication Aide

Clock Hours: 140
Length: 12 Weeks

Program Description

Objective: The Medication Aide Program is designed to prepare Nurse Aides for administration of medicines under supervision and guidance stipulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Medication Aide Permit Program. The students will learn the following topics:

• Procedures for preparation and administration of medications
• Responsibility, control, accountability, and storage of medications
• Use of Reference Material
• Documentation of medications in residents’ clinical records
• Lines of authority in the facility
• Responsibilities and liabilities associated with the administration and safeguarding of medications
• Allowable and prohibited practices of permit holders
• Medications commonly administered to facility residents
• Drug reactions and side effects of medications commonly administered to facility residents
• Rules governing the Medication Aide Training Program.

Students will learn how to use these skills and procedures through classroom and clinical hands-on training. Students learn how to prepare andadminister drugs in a licensed health care agency. Topics include: drug legislation, drug references, basic anatomy and physiology and common diseases. You will learn medical abbreviations, symbols, terminology, and common equivalents (apothecary, metric, and household measurements) required for medication administration. After completion of the class, you will be prepared to take the Texas Department of Human Services Medication Aide Licensure Exam. This course includes 10 hours of clinical practice. This course of study prepares candidates to be certified as Medication Aide in the State of Texas.

This 140-hour program is designed to teach students the skills essential for Entry-level work as a Medication Aide in licensed health care agencies. Academic course work and lab activities are completed at the North Texas Nursing and Career Institute. Clinical training is conducted at local, approved long-term care facility under the direct supervision of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Registered Nurse (RN). The long term Care facility used for clinical by the North Texas Nursing and Career Institute is The Cotton Wood Nursing and Rehabilitation Nursing Home. The approved curriculum for this course is under the direction and guidelines set by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). Upon successful completion of the program, students will be prepared to take the Texas State written 100 multiple choice questioned exam that covers their knowledge of accurate and safe medication therapy. The Medication Aide graduates will be qualified for entry-level employment as direct-care Medication Aides in Long-Term or Personal Care Facilities, Correctional Settings or State Schools.

APPROVALS

North Texas nursing and Career Institute is approved and regulated by:

• Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Nurse Aide Training Program
• Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Veterans Education, Austin, Texas.

ADMISSION / ENROLLMENT POLICIES

1. All applicants must:

a.) be 18 years old or ove

b.) Read, understand, sign and receive a copy of the enrollment application and School Catalog.

c.) Tour the school facility.

d.) complete IN PERSON a copy of the Application Form

e.) be able to demonstrate the ability to read, write and comprehend the English Language

f.) Be a graduate of a high school or have a general equivalency diploma;

g.) Be currently employed in a facility as a nurse aide or non-licensed direct care staff person on the first official day of an applicant’s medication aide training program; and

h.) Have been employed in a facility for 90 days as a non-licensed direct-care staff person. This employment must have been completed within the 12-month period proceeding the first official day of the applicant’s medication aide training program. An applicant employed as a nurse aide in a Medicare-skilled nursing facility or a Medicaid nursing facility is exempt from the 90-day requirement.

Medication Aide Program Outline

Clock Hours: 140
Length: 10 Weeks

Objective: The Medication Aide Program is designed to prepare Nurse Aides for administration of medicines under supervision and guidance stipulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services, Medication Aide Permit Program. The students will learn the following topics.

• Procedures for preparation and administration of medications
• Responsibility, control, accountability, and storage of medications
• Use of reference material
• Documentation of medications in residents’ clinical records
• Lines of authority in the facility
• Responsibilities and liabilities associated with the administration and safeguarding of medication
• Allowable and prohibited practices of permit holders
• Medications commonly administered to facility residents
• Drug reactions and side effects of medications commonly administered to facility residents
• Rules governing the Medication Aide Training Program.

Students will learn how to use these skills and procedures through classroom and clinical hands-on training. The medication aide graduates will be qualified for entry-level employment as direct care staff in Long-Term or Personal Care Facilities, Correctional Settings or State Schools.

Subject Number	Lecture Hours	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours	Extern Hours
MDA 100	Introduction to Medication Aide & Basic Concepts	32	0	0
MDA 101	Demonstration Skills	0	20	0
MDA 200	Basic Principles of Medical Administration	20	0	0
MDA 201	Demonstration Skills	0	10	0
MDA 300	Drug Therapy of Common Disease Processes	32	0	0
MDA 400	Age Related Patient Medication Administration	12	0	0
MDA 500	Care Planning and Role of Medication Aide	4	0	0
MDA 600	Clinical Observation (Externship)	0	0	10
		100	30	10
	Total Clock Hours	140

Detailed Medication Aide Course Curriculum (Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services)

Unit I	Introduction and Orientation and Basic Concepts
Unit II	Administration of Medications
Unit III	Affecting the Cardiovascular System
Unit IV	Drugs Affecting the Urinary System
Unit V	Drugs Affecting the Respiratory System
Unit VI	Drugs Affecting the Digestive System, Vitamins and Minerals
Unit VII	Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System
Unit VIII	Affecting the Musculoskeletal System
Unit IX	Drugs Affecting the Endocrine System
Unit X	Antibiotics and Other Anti-Infective Agents
Unit XI	Drugs Affecting the Eye
Unit XII	Drugs Affecting the Ear
Unit XIII	Drugs Affecting the Skin
Unit XIV	Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Related Disorders
Unit XV	Immuno-Compromised Residents
Unit XVI	Pediatric Patients
Unit XVII	Care Planning Assistance
Unit XVIII	Suggested Teaching Procedures
Unit XIX	Handouts

MEDICATION AIDE PROGRAM COURSE DESCRIPTION

The listing “X/Y/Z” indicates that the Course consists of X hours of Lecture, Y hours of Laboratory and Z hours of Clinical/Extern

MDA-100 Introduction to Medication Aide & Basic Concepts

The students will learn the basic roles and responsibilities of the medication aide in the allied health field. They will learn history and reasons of drug use, drug administration, legislation and therapy, pharmacodynamics, competency skills, and use of generic drugs.

Prerequisites: None

MDA-101 Demonstration Skills

The students will learn and participate in all the vital signs return demonstrations related to the topics covered in MDA 100 – Introduction to Medication Aide and Basic Concepts. This will also include learning
accurate vital signs assessment.

Prerequisite: Co-requisite MDA-100

MDA-200 Basic Principles of Medical Administration

The students will learn comprehensively the basic principles of medication administration. They will learn about medication supply and storage, medication orders and potential causes of medication errors and roles and responsibilities of medication aides in drug therapy. They would also learn medication preparation, procedures and techniques for administering medications and how to keep medication records.

Prerequisite: None

MDA-201 Demonstration Skills

The students will learn and participate in all the vital signs return demonstrations related to the topics covered in MDA 200 – Basic Principles of Medical Administration. This will also include learning accurate
vital signs assessment.

Prerequisite: Co-requisite MDA-200

MDA-300 Drug Therapy of Common Disease Processes

Students will learn the value of drugs for therapeutic purposes, and the government regulations to be followed in prescribing, dispensing, and administering drugs. They will learn about drugs affecting the various body systems (Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastro-intestinal etc). They will learn how identify possible reactions to particular drugs, and to recognize possible adverse reactions.

Prerequisite: None

MDA-400 Age Related Patient Medication Administration

The students will learn special skills in the administration of medication to patients suffering from age related diseases and disorders as well as younger children. The students will also learn about administering medication to immuno-compromised patients.

Prerequisite: None

MDA-500 Care Planning and Role of Medication Aide

The students will learn the purpose of care planning, the significance of interdisciplinary care plans and the role of the medication aide in relation to patient care planning.

Prerequisite: None

MDA-600 Clinical Observation (Externship)

Students will perform on-the-job training in local medical facilities such as nursing homes, physician’s offices, health care facilities and emergency clinics. The students will broaden their working knowledge of the responsibilities of a medication aide. The students will receive no remuneration while gaining valuable
experience.

Prerequisite: Completion of Program Requirements