Aides Passing Meds

[PiperLPN]

My friend works at an LTC that is training aides to pass meds. They are not allowed to do narcs, finger sticks, or shots. Any thoughts on this? And is it legal?

[Reigen]

In New Mexico they have CMAs that are regulated by the BON> so check with your states BON and find out.

[achot chavi]

IN DELAWARE??? I'm surprised-

Are they picking up doctors orders too and preparing the med cart? Can they sign for narcotics and controlled substances, I would check with your DON

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Not in Massachusetts. We don't have med techs either. CNAs don't do finger sticks here.

[retread71]

I am not a nurse and I work in ALF, in California. We can pass meds but we have to have state sanctioned training and shadowing. The difference is we are assisting them with their medications. We are not managing their diseases. We don't get med changes all too terribly often. We read the MAR and we dispense the medication.

Also, I am not a CNA either.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

Not in Massachusetts. We don't have med techs either. CNAs don't do finger sticks here.

I'm in MA, and CNA's that have been trained and have demonstrated compentency do fingersticks on our TCU. As far as I know, the nurses do them on our LTC units.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm in Texas, and medication aides are used extensively in the nursing home setting around here. The medication aides in Texas are allowed to pass all oral meds (including narcotics and sedating meds) and can sign out their own narcotics without any cosigner. They also give eye drops, topical creams, gels, and transdermal patches (including narcotic analgesics such as Fentanyl).

I freely admit to hating med passes, so I like working with medication aides.

[mume2mykidz]

are they med techs??here in NJ we have med techs in ALF's which when I applied for LPN employment they would all state that they rather have an LPN but the companies look for the lower pay so I go to school at 22,000 for the year and a med tech gets 1 week training hummmmm Scary

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

are they med techs??here in NJ we have med techs in ALF's which when I applied for LPN employment they would all state that they rather have an LPN but the companies look for the lower pay so I go to school at 22,000 for the year and a med tech gets 1 week training hummmmm Scary

Here in Texas, certified medication aides attend school and receive 4 to 6 months of training. While some of the med aides with whom I've worked have been scary, the vast majority have been very competent and caring.

[Callinurse]

Is this a LTC = Long Term Care Facility or a ALF = Assisted Living Facility?

In California in an ALF staff that have been trained to state specifics can assist in giving meds. If the pill or liquid needs to be put in the mouth they have to call the lvn/rn. The resident needs to be able to put the tablet or liquid after it is poured into the mouth.

My sister does this and I was very nervous for her in the beginning. However, I had no ALF experience and was not aware of the regulations that govern ALF'S.

Calli