Can CNAs pass meds in assisted living in Arkansas?

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As an RN, would you work in an assisted-living facility with CNAs passing medications?

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2 minutes ago, GypsyTig said:

As an RN, would you work in an assisted-living facility with CNAs passing medications?

Yes. Family members and non-nurse care-givers administer medication to stable people in all sorts of settings. I wouldn't be particularly concerned until I had a specific reason to be.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

CNAs or MAs? Lots of places use MAs (medication assistants) who have some training in passing meds (not pharmacology), even give vaccinations.

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1 hour ago, Sour Lemon said:

Yes. Family members and non-nurse care-givers administer medication to stable people in all sorts of settings. I wouldn't be particularly concerned until I had a specific reason to be.

Thank you

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16 minutes ago, JBudd said:

CNAs or MAs? Lots of places use MAs (medication assistants) who have some training in passing meds (not pharmacology), even give vaccinations.

CNAs, which is why I was concerned. In my previous state only nurses or trained medication assistants (we called them med nurses) could give residents medications.

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It probably would be helpful to look at the regulations. CNAs can assist, but not administer.

https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/110531/15alcom-AR.pdf

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15 minutes ago, beekee said:

It probably would be helpful to look at the regulations. CNAs can assist, but not administer.

https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/110531/15alcom-AR.pdf

This Is what I am struggling to interpret.

In Level II facilities, licensed nursing personnel may administer medications to residents who are assessed as being unable to self-administer medication. Facilities must employ a consulting pharmacist.

It says MAY, not MUST. And also some of the residents classified as able to self administer are iffy.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

The difference between family members giving meds, is they only have one person, one set of medications, to keep track of. Seems like CNAs have much greater potential for error than family, as they have many more than one person to deal with.

CNAs are not licensed, they have a certification, but a license requires passing exams (NCLEX), and the state issues a license based on that.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Interpretation of regs:

ALF level one: staff can assist in opening containers/packaging, but not provide meds in med cup to client/patient.

Alf level 2 --(nursing home eligible, not capable of self admin): only licensed professional LPN/RN can administer

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Specializes in Emergency.

It varies widely by state it seems. When I worked in Oregon there were CNAs with additional Med-Tech training who could administer all facility medications.

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On 11/21/2019 at 10:23 PM, GypsyTig said:

CNAs, which is why I was concerned. In my previous state only nurses or trained medication assistants (we called them med nurses) could give residents medications.

In my state CNAs are trained to be med assistants, but they are certified nursing assistants.

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On 11/22/2019 at 8:48 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Interpretation of regs:

ALF level one: staff can assist in opening containers/packaging, but not provide meds in med cup to client/patient.

Alf level 2 --(nursing home eligible, not capable of self admin): only licensed professional LPN/RN can administer

So would an RN who works part time in an ALF2 doing paperwork jeopardize her license if they have CNAs passing meds?

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