Medication Nurse Assistants

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone. I just found out that an MNA will be working on our 50 bed LTC unit:eek: ! Has anyone worked with an MNA? I'm a new LPN, just got used to passing meds to 25 pts, and am really on the fence about this. On one hand, I'm disgusted that I spent 13 G's obtaining my LPN, and struggled through a tough Pharmacology course :angryfire . On the other, maybe this will be a help. I really like working alone on my side. I keep people(LNAs, residents, visitors) around my cart at a mininum, cause I find it distracting. Am I going to be constantly bumping into the MNA? How does it work? BTW, there has been NO mention of an orientation for the nurses in regards to this. Oh, and the MNA will be earning 3 dollars an hour more than I do. Hmmm. any feedback will be welcome:) .

New Hampshire and Vermont license Nursing Assistants. I think there are about six states that do license Nursing Assistants. I do not think that Nursing Assisants are specificially licensed as Medication Assistants, but the role of Medication Assistant may be covered under the Nursing Assistants license instead. Blueeyedangel didn't claim to have a license as a Medication Aid, she stated she had a license as a Nursing Assistant.

Since your working on a study Nursemomruns, try focusing on the states that require Licensed Nursing Assistants and how the role of Medication Assistant is implemented under their licensure. I realize you may not be specifically researching Medication Assistants for licensure for your study, but it may be interesting to see how the role it is covered by states that do license Nursing Assistants. Good Luck with your research. I would definately be interested in your findings.

Yes, New Hampshire, Vermont, and a few others license nursing assistants, but not medication assistants specifically. New Hampshire allows nursing assistants to assist with medications under certain guidelines. Vermont allows nursing assistants to do what is appropriate for their area of practce under certain guidelines. That is pretty broad, I think!

I think your focus is an excellent idea, and I'm sure some of that will be included in the report. I am doing this study for work, so I don't get to determine the focus. There is a practice analysis for medication assistants being undertaken by NCSBN. It should be out sometime late next year.

I agree with what was said by (i forgot now) about assessing a resident. I wasn't referring to my everyday assessments when i give meds. At our facility an ASSESSMENT is when they are first admitted. So i'm sorry about the misunderstanding. I am cna because i chose that in my life. I'm sorry if my comments have upset most of you as nurses but this is a forum and i said my part and i welcome anything you have to say.. I take no offense to words because everyone has the right to speak ....this is America. Thank God. God bless all you nurses for with out you where would we be. I chose not to become a nurse because i have been told so many times over the years by my nurses that they don't even get to know the residents and that saddend them and i thought at the time i was to dumb to go to nurses school and now i just love taking care of the elderly. i mean no disrespect to anyone in here and i am leaving now so i don't upset someone else with my emotional outbursts......love to you all.....

i would just like to say god bless ppl like you blue. We need more ppl to have such compassion and respect for the elderly reguardless of there title. god bless tiffany

EXACTLY, there are some absolutely *fantastic* CNAs, these are usually (but not always) the ones that are halfway through school to be an RN or an RT or similar. The others...well...a lot of them just don't care. Why would they? They've invested little in their "career" to them it's just a job. They have no license and reputation to protect.

I'Ve been reading all these psots on MedTechs, and i do agree with alot of the concerns. I was one of those halfway through school CNA. A short brief on my opinon is. I am 54 years old ansd went through RN school. Do to loosing our first grandbaby who lived 800 miles away and my dad was given 6 weeks with cancer i was forced to make a dicission between school and family. I choosed family. When i returned home i was faced with what to do now. I had worked all my life as a cna. In nursing homes, Critical care units. Head trauma unit, the last 10 years on oncology. This was the biggest challenge. As a CNA and my age it was getting harder to do my job. Oncology is a very heavy unit for anyone, but as a cna. the lifting was killing me. I learned so much from the nursing staff, the DR. Anyone involved with this unit. I have assisted in hundreds of codes, chest tubes. tube feedings, Chemo, transfusuions. etc.etc. I have seen things and assisted in things i never thought i was capable of doing. It was the nursing staff and Dr.s who convinced me to go to school. When my husband asked me why i was putting myself through all the nights up studying, the stress of passing, the stress of working and school and all that goes with it ant my age. I didn't have an answer except it was where i needed to be.

i was depressed about not finishing my last semester. I was depressed about not being able to continue much longer at my age as a CNA. When our hospital opened up an assistant living and memory unit at another complex and they were looking for Medtechs. I always disagreed with the use of medtechs for the same reasons i am reading here. But then after long discussions with the nursing staff and Dr.s i worked with, they said well......Medtechs are going to be used whether i like it or not. So with the education and knowledge of the medical field you have why not do it. At lest there will be someone with some knowledge that should be required. So i took the job..... I know my scope of practice. I know the rules. I never make a dissison without conferming it with a Licenced nurse. I could go on, but i do agree with alot of things. First very poor management. I think Medtechs need more education unless there afraid of educating them. We have excellent medtechs where i work and all have either been through some type of nursing schools or areotin the program. It all boils down to money. I think that medtechs need to be monitored alt more than they are. They should be trained to be able to monitor a patient better than they do. We have one medtech that is only in his pre-reqs of school who thinks he knows more than anyone, and thinks he's already a nurse. Management knows, they have been told many times, they do nothing. My report from his shift was a resident is not feeling well today she did not get dressed. When i asked what was wrong, he said her stomach is upset. When i started my shift i went and assesed her, asked her questions he was not trained to do. And found she had been having gas pains in her chest. After a few more questions and taking her vitals, i looked in her MARS to find she had a order for Nitro, which he did not look. I called for the nurse upstairs to assess. we gave the nitro. i called my supervisor and continued to monitor. After the second nitro.and weighed her. i called the supervisor again who was at home and said i thought she should be sent out. Anyway, she was having conjestive heart failure. I was angry with the fact that this medtech did not have the knowledge to at least ask the right questions and persue her condition further. I get very angry, then i have to realize, some medtechs only have a CNA background and never worked in hospitals only nursing homes so how would he know. I can only do what i do and try to do my best. But i realy believe Medtechs are good in certain facilities. IF they are trained more than just taking a 1 hour test on medications.

Where i work we have Medtech meetings once a month, we take a test at each meeting on medication administration, also on how to assess for reactions, S&S of anything that might be wrong with our residents. For the most part they all do a good job. But they do need to have a system to weed out the ones who go above their scope of practice. the ones who should not be medtechs and so on, and that system is management.

I hope never to see medtechs used in Hopitals. I realy don't forsee that happening. If it is. Then shame on the medical field. But let me also add. There are many many nurses i have come acrossed in my day that should never have been allowed to be nurses. One more thing. I have never worked in a place where CNA's had the time to sit and play on the computer, read or just do nothing. If they are then who's fault is that.

I'm a medtech/CNA/unfinished nursing student. I'm proud of what i do and take my position very seriouse. There has been so much bashing about medtechs, that it insults me personally, when someone says Oh your one of those medtechs. Like our brains are mush. I get angry. You can be a professional without a licence. I am part of the medical field. I maybe at the bottom of that list, but i am a professional at what I do. So please don't take it out on us. Take it out on management for not doing thier part.

Happy Trails :rolleyes:

Hi everyone. I just found out that an MNA will be working on our 50 bed LTC unit:eek: ! Has anyone worked with an MNA? I'm a new LPN, just got used to passing meds to 25 pts, and am really on the fence about this. On one hand, I'm disgusted that I spent 13 G's obtaining my LPN, and struggled through a tough Pharmacology course :angryfire . On the other, maybe this will be a help. I really like working alone on my side. I keep people(LNAs, residents, visitors) around my cart at a mininum, cause I find it distracting. Am I going to be constantly bumping into the MNA? How does it work? BTW, there has been NO mention of an orientation for the nurses in regards to this. Oh, and the MNA will be earning 3 dollars an hour more than I do. Hmmm. any feedback will be welcome:) .

I'm going to get slammed for this but I think Pharmacy Techs should be permitted to pass POs. They generally have more pharmacology than an LPN, they know anatomy, pharmacology, medical terminology, etc. I think people would be surprised at the stuff I teach CPhT classes. It's not an easy course. I think they would be great. The good ones make anywhere from $14.00-$16.00/hour. Not sure how that compares with what your facility pays LPNs though.

...With every pill I give, I do an assessment whether it be visual or physical. No one should be giving meds unless you are well aware of the side effects, purpose and med-surg that makes that pill needed. What does doubt consist of to you? Because there are alot of doubts when it comes to geriatric patients and their meds. It's not just following orders , its knowing when to hold that B/P med or when to give it. Knowing which drugs can cause a reaction with each other. Knowing just how much Tylenol is to much and then knowing which medication contain Tylenol so you can keep track of your mg. How about patients allergies and then giving a medicine that contains one of those allergies. Knowing if you have a pt that is allergic to Tylenol you cant give Vicoden. Or even that if you have a pt that has a allergy to PCN you shouldnt give a Cephasporin... You sound very caring to your patients ,but are doing them an injustice by handling their medications without the background to do so.

Bingo, a pharmacy tech.

Regarding this, I understand that Ohio is "piloting" this, we are one of the last states to consider this med pass tech. My concerns are for the LPNs in my state that do not have IV certification (it is an additional class until recently). We now have LPN curriculum that includes IV certification, but I have those in the "sandwich" that graduated even a year ago, do not have IV cert and their main role in a LTC facility is med pass/assessment, etc.

We have RN/or LPN w/ IV cert for the IV situations, a med tech to pass meds and then the LPN is where? We are getting our throats cut, in administration's attempt to cover for a nursing shortage and to try to save their bottom line.

What I would like to know is what medication classes are these med techs typically allowed to pass. Do these cover PRN orders since we are not to delegate assessment?

yep. It's clear where our priorities lie. And this is why I feel more than ever, we have to stop using med aides. These people are the ones LEAST LIKELY to protest or protect their rights---or have too many others doing so. However, such people are of no less value than the next one. No one deserves less than a licensed person administering his or her medications, plain and simple.

I agree, however, what is the likelihood that this position will go away? It seems to be carrying over into other states (like Ohio) who had been holding out for years. Is this a trend we can stop as a profession or can we only sit by and hope that someone with authority catches on?:uhoh21:

This whole concept for Illinois got voted down big time. With all the variences in training.......wouldn't fly.

I did read that thread about the molecular biologist, etc......but this is not the norm. Correct me if I am wrong. :) But what is amazing: we go to school, pass through hurdles to take a test that is nationally recognized.....and the first poster is paid $3 less. :p

Wolfy....I guess I echo your post.

I have to point out pharm techs again. They also pass a test that is nationally recognized (thus, the CPhT after their name) AND they are requiring licensing in most states now. Eventually they will have to be licensed in every state, for now it is most states. They are held to their license, they screw up too many times or in the wrong way and just like nurses, they lose their license. No license, no ability to practice their trade.

I have to point out pharm techs again. They also pass a test that is nationally recognized (thus, the CPhT after their name) AND they are requiring licensing in most states now. Eventually they will have to be licensed in every state, for now it is most states. They are held to their license, they screw up too many times or in the wrong way and just like nurses, they lose their license. No license, no ability to practice their trade.

Do they have licensure or certification?

I'Ve been reading all these psots on MedTechs, and i do agree with alot of the concerns. I was one of those halfway through school CNA. A short brief on my opinon is. I am 54 years old ansd went through RN school. Do to loosing our first grandbaby who lived 800 miles away and my dad was given 6 weeks with cancer i was forced to make a dicission between school and family. I choosed family. When i returned home i was faced with what to do now. I had worked all my life as a cna. In nursing homes, Critical care units. Head trauma unit, the last 10 years on oncology. This was the biggest challenge. As a CNA and my age it was getting harder to do my job. Oncology is a very heavy unit for anyone, but as a cna. the lifting was killing me. I learned so much from the nursing staff, the DR. Anyone involved with this unit. I have assisted in hundreds of codes, chest tubes. tube feedings, Chemo, transfusuions. etc.etc. I have seen things and assisted in things i never thought i was capable of doing. It was the nursing staff and Dr.s who convinced me to go to school. When my husband asked me why i was putting myself through all the nights up studying, the stress of passing, the stress of working and school and all that goes with it ant my age. I didn't have an answer except it was where i needed to be.

i was depressed about not finishing my last semester. I was depressed about not being able to continue much longer at my age as a CNA. When our hospital opened up an assistant living and memory unit at another complex and they were looking for Medtechs. I always disagreed with the use of medtechs for the same reasons i am reading here. But then after long discussions with the nursing staff and Dr.s i worked with, they said well......Medtechs are going to be used whether i like it or not. So with the education and knowledge of the medical field you have why not do it. At lest there will be someone with some knowledge that should be required. So i took the job..... I know my scope of practice. I know the rules. I never make a dissison without conferming it with a Licenced nurse. I could go on, but i do agree with alot of things. First very poor management. I think Medtechs need more education unless there afraid of educating them. We have excellent medtechs where i work and all have either been through some type of nursing schools or areotin the program. It all boils down to money. I think that medtechs need to be monitored alt more than they are. They should be trained to be able to monitor a patient better than they do. We have one medtech that is only in his pre-reqs of school who thinks he knows more than anyone, and thinks he's already a nurse. Management knows, they have been told many times, they do nothing. My report from his shift was a resident is not feeling well today she did not get dressed. When i asked what was wrong, he said her stomach is upset. When i started my shift i went and assesed her, asked her questions he was not trained to do. And found she had been having gas pains in her chest. After a few more questions and taking her vitals, i looked in her MARS to find she had a order for Nitro, which he did not look. I called for the nurse upstairs to assess. we gave the nitro. i called my supervisor and continued to monitor. After the second nitro.and weighed her. i called the supervisor again who was at home and said i thought she should be sent out. Anyway, she was having conjestive heart failure. I was angry with the fact that this medtech did not have the knowledge to at least ask the right questions and persue her condition further. I get very angry, then i have to realize, some medtechs only have a CNA background and never worked in hospitals only nursing homes so how would he know. I can only do what i do and try to do my best. But i realy believe Medtechs are good in certain facilities. IF they are trained more than just taking a 1 hour test on medications.

Where i work we have Medtech meetings once a month, we take a test at each meeting on medication administration, also on how to assess for reactions, S&S of anything that might be wrong with our residents. For the most part they all do a good job. But they do need to have a system to weed out the ones who go above their scope of practice. the ones who should not be medtechs and so on, and that system is management.

I hope never to see medtechs used in Hopitals. I realy don't forsee that happening. If it is. Then shame on the medical field. But let me also add. There are many many nurses i have come acrossed in my day that should never have been allowed to be nurses. One more thing. I have never worked in a place where CNA's had the time to sit and play on the computer, read or just do nothing. If they are then who's fault is that.

I'm a medtech/CNA/unfinished nursing student. I'm proud of what i do and take my position very seriouse. There has been so much bashing about medtechs, that it insults me personally, when someone says Oh your one of those medtechs. Like our brains are mush. I get angry. You can be a professional without a licence. I am part of the medical field. I maybe at the bottom of that list, but i am a professional at what I do. So please don't take it out on us. Take it out on management for not doing thier part.

Happy Trails :rolleyes:

Hi !! Interesting Post you made. I have to ask, how many semesters of RN school did you complete? If you completed the first year sucessfully, you may be allowed to sit for the LPN Exam in your state. Did you investiage this possibility?. This may vary by state and you would have to check with your state's Board of Nursing>

Do they have licensure or certification?

In all states a national certification is required, most states require licensing, and within the next few years all states will require licensing.

So, to answer your question, within a few short years it is "both" but for now everyone is certified currently, soon everyone will be licensed as well.

I may be biased for two reasons, I was a pharm tech in school and I currently teach (now just PRN) CPhT classes. I know what they have to know.

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