Medication Tech Training

Hi all-
I stumbled onto this site while searching for info on MAP testing in my area(Massachusetts). I am not a nurse but have worked in the field of human services for over 15 years and feel that Nurses are completely overworked and underpaid!!! I used to dispense meds W/O MAP training when I worked in VT. and always thought it was horrible, so many people making mistakes, etc. After getting MAP certified when I worked in MA I felt better about the system and the training process but still saw too many folks who should NEVER have passed the test skate through the practicum(sp?). These same people proceeded to give out meds and made numerous mistakes. I think that med passes should be done by nurses only because you need lots of time and experience to do it right. I like to think of myself as one of the employees who is extra careful not to make errors but feel it's just not appropriate for residential counselors, etc. to be handling medications. I personally don't like the responsibility and honestly don't know enough about the meds I'm handing out to feel ok about doing it.

I feel there's a reason we take pharm..its to be able to pass meds safely. I have been an aid for 3 years...and would not have trusted any but maybe 3 others I worked with to be safe with med passes. I do not claim to know everything..or even anywhere near everything and certainly anyone can have an unexpected reaction to meds even with an RN or LVN. However would an unlicensed worker know about adverse reactions,etc? I know the idea of med techs will be touted as a way to save nurses' time...but I believe in the end it will be a way to reduce rn staffing. Wasn't the hep flush incident in Indy a med tech??!!

I work in Montana and the "Hab Staff" have to take a Medication Test given by the state,then go thru what we call a Med Practicum training course. This teaches the staff to "assist" the client with taking their medication. We have a Medication Program in place that the client has to follow to the best of their ability. I work with a facility that has clients that are serverly develomentally disabled and we have a medical based group home that has 24 hour nursing along with support of LPN's and an RN. The "Hab Staff" are trained to assit the client to take their medication.

Charlie,
I am an RN for a Texas ICF/MR, HCS, CWP program agency. It is hard to train direct care staff, because they lack some of the knowledge base needed to pass medications to special needs clients. We Do a Self administer Medication Training course. It basicly goes through the 5 rights and includes side effects and purpose of the drug. We have many med errors and are attempting to fix the problem. Good luck.
Jen RN Comminity

I work in both RI and Mass---two very different systems. In RI, the providers fought a longer standardized training and we are left with nothing formal--yet our Nurse Practice Act directly reflects the use of the program that was "rescinded" (which didn't actually happen) and in Mass I am going through the classes to MAP certify staff.

In RI I use a pharmacy that prepacks my group homes and ind. living meds It has reduced errors overall, though my programs had few to begin with. (there's something to be said for being a B***h with high standards of care) Yes, staff still need to monitor for onset of new side effects, but as anurse, its my job to provide them with the information to identify this. By using a prepacked system, it allows me the time to be more proactive as opposed to tracking down direct support staff for errors.

i'm starting my nursing program in the fall and am waiting to here back from a a group home for MRDD about starting work there while in school.

if hired we have 2 training sessions and then i believe a week of supervision. not having done this before i can't say if this is sufficient, but i will be taking pharm during my first semester and can guarantee i will have my davis drug guide with me while at work.

I'm looking for any information on where to find an ICF/MR in Montgomery county in PA. I really do want to work with them, but it is really hard to find such a place. Thanks for any comments...They are very mcuh appreciated...

I work in a Developmentally Disabled Group Home in Maryland, and I am a CMT for MD. We had to take a 30 hour medication training course and pass with 100%. Then we have to be passed off by and RN on a med pass every 6 months. I am also currently enrolled in nursing studies (pre-reqs) and I was also a supervisor for these group homes and I agree that some of the people that give these meds have absolutely no right being in this profession. Even with the strict training we have in Maryland most of the people i would be scared to put under my license (when i get one ).

do the nurses in your state delegate to the staff or are the staff licensed/certified on their own after taking the 30 hour class and passing the test with 100%?

We are seperately licensed and also delegated by the RN in charge of the house under their license.