Can Aides Pass Meds?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a friend who works for an LTC facility that is training aides to pass meds. They are not allowed to do narcs, fingers sticks, or shots. What is everyone's take on this? Is it even legal? :confused:

Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

At one facility I work at ( LTC ) their med aides have to be certified to do so, pass a med-test and be in nursing school in order to be able to pass meds. They can do finger sticks, but no narcs, no shots, no insulin, and they can do treatments as long as the RN has seen them do it and deems them competent to do so. The one med-aide I work with there is awesome and has answered my questions regarding side effects, what would you do if........ to my satisfaction. I am still around when she's passing meds and I see her really double checking and being attentive. That said, I've seen others that I can't believe they are letting them pass meds. Overall, I would say it is an unsafe practice, but there are some who are good and do a good job and others well.....................

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OMG! This is not going to help me with my exam. From what I know, CNAs are not allowed to pass meds or do fingersticks. I did notice at certain facilities, they were allowed to do fingersticks which surprised me. I don't care if certain facilities are doing this to cut down cost, it's just not safe.

Is this really approved by the board by certification?? I would call but I would be put on hold forever. :wink2:

I really hope this doesn't affect me when I take the test, of what is delegated or assigned to CNAs, LVNs, etc...

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.
OMG! This is not going to help me with my exam. From what I know, CNAs are not allowed to pass meds or do fingersticks. I did notice at certain facilities, they were allowed to do fingersticks which surprised me. I don't care if certain facilities are doing this to cut down cost, it's just not safe.

Is this really approved by the board by certification?? I would call but I would be put on hold forever. :wink2:

I really hope this doesn't affect me when I take the test, of what is delegated or assigned to CNAs, LVNs, etc...

The med aides at my facility had to have a separate certification in order to pass meds. A CNA as far as I know can not pass meds. Hope that helps.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

When I was in nursing school, I worked as a nursing assistant, and did a full med pass on 12-18 patients a day. It was an adult home, and they somehow got away with it by "training" the aides to do so (for me this involved a one-page test) and calling it "medication assistance". There was absolutely no difference in how I did this med pass vs how I do med passes now. I had a cart full of meds for each resident, and a MAR book with the orders for each resident. I'd prepare the meds, walk into the room, give them to the resident, and document which meds were given. But, it was, of course, medication "assistance".

I think it depends on the state in terms of legality.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

There are two issues I have with this; one is that this is yet another way to diminish the role of nurses and two, the fact that more than likely, if there is a mistake made, then, the nurse may be held liable. Not a fair deal in my opinion.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
OMG! This is not going to help me with my exam. From what I know, CNAs are not allowed to pass meds or do fingersticks. I did notice at certain facilities, they were allowed to do fingersticks which surprised me. I don't care if certain facilities are doing this to cut down cost, it's just not safe.

Is this really approved by the board by certification?? I would call but I would be put on hold forever. :wink2:

I really hope this doesn't affect me when I take the test, of what is delegated or assigned to CNAs, LVNs, etc...

For your exam, just know that any questions that ask if a CNA can do this, the answer is "NO". Now, real world nursing versus textbook is a whole other nightmare that you'll see once you gain your license.

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The use of CMAs has long been debated.

I think it can be a safe practice if the people are well trained and if the med aids never step outside the scope of their practice or the tasks that have been delegated. The BoN in Oregon permits CMAs to obtain CBGs, administer oral meds and G Tube meds and feedings - only if delegated.

Delegation is not as simple as telling them to do it. One nurse in the facility, usually the DoN or SDC is the designated nurse delegate. They are responsible for any addition training, sign off on their competencies and are responsible for the action of the CMA, NOT the nurse working the unit with them.

The CMA scope of practice involves reading the medication instructions, obtaining any VS required, pouring and administering it. They do not assess, they do not monitor for side effects but receive training for things to watch for and report.

They perform the mechanics of medication admin. The nurse is still responsible for the patient education, assessing response and monitoring for side effects.

I don't believe having CMAs 'diminishes' the role of nurses, it simply removes a step that doesn't require the level of education and knowledge base that nurses have. It frees up the nurses time to actually use nursing skills.

I also disagree it is another way to avoid paying for nurses. Experienced CMAs make only a little less than LPNs in my area.

The nursing shortage is so severe here that even agencies can't fill the demand for shifts.

Hospitals are shutting down floors and canceling elective surgeries. Patients who should be moving out of the hospitals and into SNFs and ICFs can't because the facilities don't have the nurses to care for them.

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Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
It frees up the nurses time to actually use nursing skills.

The last time i looked, passing meds is our most fundamental skill.

The use of medication aides is just another scam perpetrated on the elderly population to generate more profit. Any nurse who supports such atrocities is shooting us all in the foot. We need to look no further than at the high number of medication errors committed by licensed nurses every year to see that allowing people with a fraction of the training to perform these same tasks is negligent, ignorant, and criminal. It is an idea conceived by businessmen, with no regard for nurses or the safety of the patients. You know...the usual.:)

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

In Wisconsin this is legal if they have taken a class on medication administration... The bad thing is that they have no clue on what the pills are and what they do... It is still the RN's job to supervise. When I worked for Hospice we had medication aides and it made me so nervous. I am glad that I am in a hospital now where the RN is the one to pass out the meds...

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Specializes in LTC.

Good idea :typing

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.
It would be a good idea to get on your states BON website and do the research. In CA, it's never in the CNA scope of practice to pass meds.

Its legal in Ohio, with some training of course. I am not for it, though. BTW, a CNA does not have a Scope of Practice!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

In MA, CNAs can pass meds if they are med certified.

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