CNAs give medications

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

Believe assistant living homes are one of the worst things that could have happened in America.

The correct term is assisted living.

Anyhow, I loved working with medication aides in the nursing home setting because it meant that I didn't have to pass meds to the 30 residents. Since the medication aide was performing the most tedious and time-consuming task of the shift, I was able to focus on documentation, wound care, vital sign checks, and other duties.

Nonetheless, my only gripe with medication aides is the reality that they fill job openings that should rightfully be filled by licensed nurses.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

Are they a CNA or QMA? There is a difference in the training. Do I think a CNA should do it? No. A QMA? Yes, as long as they have had the correct training.

Beaue · Nov 20, 2016

They are CNA with 3 months of training. A CNA can farther their education with another 3 to 6 months in school to become a PCT, Patient Care Technician. PCT's can do vitals, bladder scans, draw blood, remove catheters, do EKGs and any other type duties.

Sour Lemon · Nov 20, 2016

Where should the line be drawn with CNA distributing medication with six month or less of training. When I worked as CNA at assistant living, the CNA with a month of training distributed medication to residents. Even with some training, still dangerous for CNA to give medicine. We charted the medicine on the resident's chart after giving the medicine. Every CNA is not responsible enough to give out medicines, which is another big problem. Believe assistant living homes are one of the worst things that could have happened in America. This rule need changing to only LPN and RN or higher can distribute medications. i saw so many times where someone gave a person the wrong medicine. Even know a girl fired from three places for making this mistake. What do you think of this?

There are so many variables that it's difficult to have an opinion without knowing everything about the specific situation. There are family members and hired care-givers in many private homes that also give medication. They typically don't have nursing licenses. I've even encountered one patient who didn't know his lantus and sliding scale novolog doses. He explained that his "little daughter" handled all that for him. She turned out to be eight years old.

Beyond that, nurses make medication errors, too. So while more education is always better, there is some gray area here. May I ask what got you so interested in and opinionated about the situation?

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

They are CNA with 3 months of training. A CNA can farther their education with another 3 to 6 months in school to become a PCT, Patient Care Technician. PCT's can do vitals, bladder scans, draw blood, remove catheters, do EKGs and any other type duties.

What state is this in? Since when do PCTs require a certification? This is the second time I have heard this today. It sounds like a scam to me. A CNA is a certification that requires a test and is monitored by the state. They are hired into nursing homes. PCTs are hired into hospitals mainly and you don't need any type of certification. Training is done on the job. Usually nursing students are hired, but there are also full time PCTs that have no interest in nursing. But PCTs do not administer medications.

Some nursing homes hire QMAs. Qualified Medication Aides. They have been trained and certified to pass meds.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

They are CNA with 3 months of training. A CNA can farther their education with another 3 to 6 months in school to become a PCT, Patient Care Technician. PCT's can do vitals, bladder scans, draw blood, remove catheters, do EKGs and any other type duties.

CNAs should be able to do vital signs. I'm not sure about the rest as most of the rest is done in the hospital setting. Although I would think bladder scans would sometimes be done in LTC.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

Since when do PCTs require a certification? This is the second time I have heard this today. It sounds like a scam to me.

Yes, it is a scam...a whipping $12,000 tuition & fees scam according to the disclosures I found. Click on the link below for an interesting read about the PCT "undergraduate certification" offered at Everest Institute.

ED Gainful Employment Disclosure Template

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2016

My thought on med aides: they are utilized in long-term situations, e.g. SNFs, ALFs. As a previous poster said unlicensed caregivers, family members etc. give people their meds in their own home-homes all the time. My grandma is 94, nearly blind and suffering from osteoporosis and COPD. She is also on daily Coumadin because a few years ago she was hospitalized twice for PEs and once for DVT. She needs daily care, but is not in a nursing home because her 4 children all live within 2 miles of each other, and they supplement with visiting CNAs.

She's one example of one who can't take care of herself, however doesn't need a full-on nursing assessment 2-3x a day before meds. Heck people generally don't even check their BP or apical pulse before taking their beta blockers at home. Residents of ALFs and SNFs are likewise in their home. They are on long-term regiments and are medically stable. It's a totally different situation than patients who are acutely ill and hospitalized.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 21, 2016

Yes, it is a scam...a whipping $12,000 tuition & fees scam according to the disclosures I found. Click on the link below for an interesting read about the PCT "undergraduate certification" offered at Everest Institute.
ED Gainful Employment Disclosure Template

Wow. Just wow. Doesn't surprise me now, from the commercial schools. They will capitalize on anything.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2016

Yes, it is a scam...a whipping $12,000 tuition & fees scam according to the disclosures I found. Click on the link below for an interesting read about the PCT "undergraduate certification" offered at Everest Institute.
ED Gainful Employment Disclosure Template

A 68% job placement rate? Sign me up!!!!! :sarcastic: :facepalm:

djh123 · Nov 21, 2016

I'm not disrespecting CNA's when I say this - I currently work with good CNA's almost all the time - but I wouldn't want them passing meds. I don't mind a trained 'med tech' much, but 2 years ago they took mine away and made me pass meds anyway. A NP who comes in my facillity said even med techs 'scare me to death'.

The one you mention who got fired from 3 jobs for passing the wrong meds? That is no greater example for the old saying 'an accident waiting to happen'.