Is anyone else uncomfortable with this?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

I know I should be thankful when a CMT is on my floor and passes my meds for me, but it makes me somewhat uncomfortable and I feel the need to pass the meds myself. I'm just not sure that a CMT will be looking for the same adverse reactions, etc. that I would be looking for. I'm not saying she/he would not do their job to the best of their ability, I just think that when passing meds I have a few minutes to observe the patient and possible give in a little medication information/education. Plus, I've ordered quite a few barium swallows after watching a patient try to choke down that water. Am I the only one who feels that the nurse should be passing the meds?:smackingf

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Nope, you're not. I've never worked with a CMT.....do we even have them in CA? I have no doubt that they're invaluable, but I would not be comfortable with them doing med passes.

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I agree with you. In many instances I do not trust my co-workers who have nursing licenses, based on their job performance. It is frightening that you are held legally responsible for this person's actions.

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if you are being held responsible for the person's actions,

then you must have authority over what this person does

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Specializes in acute medical.
I know I should be thankful when a CMT is on my floor and passes my meds for me, but it makes me somewhat uncomfortable and I feel the need to pass the meds myself. I'm just not sure that a CMT will be looking for the same adverse reactions, etc. that I would be looking for. I'm not saying she/he would not do their job to the best of their ability, I just think that when passing meds I have a few minutes to observe the patient and possible give in a little medication information/education. Plus, I've ordered quite a few barium swallows after watching a patient try to choke down that water. Am I the only one who feels that the nurse should be passing the meds?:smackingf

Before I became an RN, I was a non-medication endorsed EN. My hospital did not recognise medication endorsed ENs anyway. So this meant that we could not administer medications, unless under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. Imagine some poor RN watching me give the morning meds? Like she had nothing else to do! I felt that legally I was not only compromising myself but also the RN who was responsible for my medications. So I wouldn't give meds from choice.

If a CMT (I am not sure of their role) isn't recognised then I would not be happy about them doing it either. If they are able to take legal responsibility, then they should already have training to do so, and are accountable for their own actions

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In IL we do not have CMTs. However, if your license is riding on this person's performance I would want to ensure that their training and continuing ed is current and that the person is conscientious and asks appropriate questions.

That said, personally, if I was responsible, I would be passing the meds. I know this isn't possible. If you are truly uncomfortable, I would look for another job.

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Specializes in trauma, critial care, ob, transplant.

I agree. I would be uncomfortable as well. We don't use CMT's. I've never worked with them. If I'm responsible for the patient, I will give my own meds. Is this an option for you or is it a requirement that they pass the meds? If there were no option, I would opt for another job.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Yes, very uncomfortable with that. No I wouldn't allow my license to ride on someone unlicensed (CMTs are certfied not licensed) to give my patients medications.

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Specializes in Peds.

There's something of a pilot program going on in Ohio right now with CMA's (aides instead of techs I think). From what I've been told is that if our idiot govenment in all their medical wisdom make this a permanent position, we are forced to allow them to pass our meds.....and it is our license at stake if they screw up. Anyone in Ohio know how it will really work?

In my job it's not an issue but who says I'll be doing this forever. I don't think I'll ever go somewhere who requires that I allow a med aide to practice under my license. They only have something like 2 weeks of training for heaven's sake. How can you possibly learn enough physiology and pharmacology in 2 weeks?

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That business about "under direct supervision of nurse". Sounds a lot like, "if they make a mistake you get the blame" to me. That is why I don't like the idea.

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Specializes in acute medical.

Ooops, error...see below

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Specializes in acute medical.
That business about "under direct supervision of nurse". Sounds a lot like, "if they make a mistake you get the blame" to me. That is why I don't like the idea.

Is that in relation to non med endorsed enrolled nurses in Australia. As a previous non med endorsed EN and as a current RN, I totally agree, which is why as an EN I refused to do it. In other states they have med endorsed ENs who can take responsibility for administration of meds and do a six month uni pharmacology course, so it is legally safe for them to do so...

Are CMAs only having 2 weeks training? That's scary...

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