Anyone here work as a medication aide?

LaterAlligator · May 30, 2011

I do, and I'm so glad you found a class - way to go!

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · May 30, 2011

Awesome!! Glad to know I'm not the only one! Yet, anyway. :) I've heard that the job isn't available everywhere so I wasn't sure how many people on here actually do it.

I am sooo excited and getting nervous. I really want to do this job right so the class will probably be harder on me than it has to be. Lol!

CoffeemateCNA · May 30, 2011

I'm one, and I guess you could say I'm a seasoned one.

yousoldtheworld · May 30, 2011

They aren't very widely used in this area, unfortunately. I was planning to take a class at my last facility, but they cancelled the class. Bummer. Good luck!

Nelle84 · May 30, 2011

Is it hard to get a job as one once you are certified?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 30, 2011

I guess it varies from area to area. Here in MD, medication aides are only used in nursing homes. From what I've seen, they get paid pretty well! Medication technicians are used in assisted living facilities, and their pay isn't all that great. So really, it just depends. Good luck in your class Dondie :)

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · May 30, 2011

Thanks!

We have 2 per shift at my facility and jobs don't open up very often. One of our CMAs will be going prn soon because she's starting nursing school. I've gotten the ok from my bosses to have the job once my class is finished. It's perfect timing for me. Couldn't be more blessed!

As far as I know, CMAs only work in LTC and assisted living. I don't think they can work in hospitals; passing meds is the nurses job (??). My facility pays $11/hour, but there are others that pay closer to $14. I'd eat the difference in gas though. (CNA pay here is about $8-$10, depending on the facility.)

Thanks guys for letting me know you're here!!

pinkstethoscope · May 31, 2011

That's awesome! I have been trying to find a CMA class here in Arizona with no luck.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · May 31, 2011

That's awesome! I have been trying to find a CMA class here in Arizona with no luck.

Every class that I have been able to find has been at a Vo-Tech. I Googled something like "medication aide courses Oklahoma". Got a few websites that had lists of every place in the state, then looked at the websites for the school to see when the classes were starting (it was usually in the course catalog).

Hope that helps. :)

lgarcia73 · Oct 8, 2011

Hello all medication aides ive been a medication aide for 3yrs now and its an awesome job u get alot of knowledge about medications and i live in west texas and from what i ve heard there only used in nursing homes and correctional facilities....

parumph · Oct 26, 2011

I've been planning to get mine for a while now. If you get it, don't be afraid to apply to places needing a CMA/CMT. I know at my LTCF if you get your CMA you are at the bottom of the list, assuming they even orientate you, and anyone above you will get the shift. And it can be a blessing, and a curse. I know a few that do nothing but CMA stuff, but we have a floor where the CMA is assigned 8 residents to be NA's too, as well as pass meds for all 28 residents on the floor. That person calls in, and any CMA in the building will get moved to it, and any NA will get pulled to fill in her NA spot she noramally works.