Aides passing meds

[tookewlandy]

I was wondering why they let aides in PA pass meds to people. I work for a company that takes Mentally retarded people and place them into homes throughout the community so they can be out of the centers and institutions they were used to and live normal lives. We take care of all their basic needs baths, clothing, feeding as well as other things. One thing i do find strange is how we can pass them there. And most take alot of pills 3 times a day. I was always under the impression that only Doctors,Rn,LPN, can give medications to people. I am a CNA but here you don't have to be certified. You don't take any kind of classes or anything. Now i do it cause it is part of my job but i was just wondering why and how they let this happen when most people who work here have no kind of training.Does this happen everywhere

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In state of California, when CMAs pass meds, they are working for and under the physician's license. Are these facilities privately owned by physicians?

When I was doing a student clinical rotation at a clinic last year in San Fernando, California, the medical assistants were giving immunization shots and passing meds to patients. This clinic was owned by a board of directors, so I assume the medical assistants were working under someone's license.

[HeatherLPN]

I passed meds as direct care staff after taking a class and testing. It's not really cheaper in my facility for staff to do it b/c they make $15 per med pass, plus their regular floor pay if they are on the schedule. So, for 2 homes that a nurse does, one delegated from each home has to pass (can only pass in the home you work in), costing them $30 per medpass + floor pay. I work there as a medpass nurse now, and the only times delegateds pass meds is if one of us nurses can't due to our full time jobs. Nurses there make $15.25/hour to pass meds, and it takes 2 hours or so to pass in both homes.

[LorraineCNA]

Just wondering if you're referring to "certified medication aide" or "certified medical assistant"?

Lorraine

CMA, CNA

In state of California, when CMAs pass meds, they are working for and under the physician's license. Are these facilities privately owned by physicians?

[KeithEMU]

The aide is required to stay on duty 24 hours a day, but AT NIGHT when she/he goes to bed, they have to clock out and are off the clock while they are sleeping!

Required to be there, can't leave, but clocked out while asleep!!!

What a rip off, IMHO.

Hard to beleive a Labor Board would allow this. I would check with them to make sure it is legal, In VA, if any employer sets your hours and require you to be there they have to pay you.

[buildingmyfaith57]

im kind of concern about this also. i have worked in a assisted living and i had little training, but i have never had training on if something goes wrong how to write up errors or report a mistake.