Published Jun 11, 2006
pattycakes934
12 Posts
Can a CNA give meds to a pt.? I was taught we are not able to give meds to anyone.
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Not unless they are certified to give meds.
weirdRN, RN
586 Posts
Am just a Cna dose that qualify me give meds?
No. You need at least another course to make you eligible to pass meds.
Tweety, BSN, RN
35,420 Posts
Why are you asking, I'm curious. Is someone asking you to pass meds? Are you witnessing a CNA passing meds?
Some areas have medication techs/aides who are unlicensed but can give people (usually in nursing homes or group homes their meds).
Am asking cause my job had me passing out meds when i was taught in school cna dont give any meds to any pt we are not inject meds or hand meds to a pt.
indigo girl
5,173 Posts
In the states I have worked in, the aides, in group homes, usually called care techs or something similiar, can do this. In a nursing home, you would have to be trained as a med tech, and pass that test to do this. There would be some kind of certification by the state board. Not all states have med techs, but most have group homes, and someone has to give those meds. Call the state board, and get the official answer of whether or not you are allowed to do this. Also, in assisted living, they might allow care techs to hand patients meds pre poured by a licensed person. The patient then medicates themself. When in doubt, ask the board.
Daytonite, BSN, RN
1 Article; 14,604 Posts
pattycakes934. . .just out of curiosity I have to ask, but you don't have to answer, I just have to ask, why did you do it? When I was a nurse manager in a very large hospital we had an incident where an LPN handed an insulin syringe to a CNA and told her to inject the insulin into a patient. The CNA knew it was wrong but did it anyway telling us later that she was afraid of the LPN and the consequences if she refused to do what she told her. Both the LPN and the CNA were fired.
You can actually find out what you are legally allowed to do by going to the website of your state department of health and finding their section on nursing assistants. Some states will post the entire set of rules the CNAs have to follow on their web sites. There may be instances where CNAs are working private duty cases in homes or under the direction of a physician where they can give medications, but I'd check it out with the state law first before doing it.
I did cause I was told it was part of my job. But i dont work for them no more cause they fired me cause I went out side to get my lunch and dorr of the home I was at locked behinde me and I had to call the fire department. I understand that they where upset even the mom of child I was taking care of but mom should of told me the door would lock. But the firemen asked me why I was left at this house by myself without a Rn here with me cause this child has MS and on vent. They told me that a RN should be prestent at all times cause am not certified in a vent or to give meds. So I have to find out how to locate the state board in Ill. to find out what I can do and can't do
chadash
1,429 Posts
Is this a group home or an individuals home?
individual home
banditrn
1,249 Posts
Pattycakes - altho I live in Ill., my license is in Ia. I can't imagine this EVER being a good situation.
Not even all RN's are knowledgable about vent cares, let alone a CNA - if this place is sending staff to a home like this, I wonder if the state doesn't need to be notified?
I agree cause I looked at bbb and they say this company won't responde to them. Better bussiness bureau . So i don't know what to think.