Med Tech or CNA

wrmbreeze · Apr 21, 2004

I am interested in getting my Med Tech certification to dispense meds in hospital or Nursing home settings. I am doing this primarily because it doesn't take long to become certified, and there it would not be hard to find a job. I will be starting my prereq for nursing school this summer, but I also need money. So my queston is, will the med tech job help me as a future RN or is CNA more valuable?? Should also consider surgical tech???

Depends on where in NC you are. I am in Shelby and if you have a CNA license you can be a med tech also, but If you only have med tech thats all you can do. Besides CNA1 only takes 5 weeks at the CC.

Spoiled1, MSN, RN · Apr 21, 2004

Well I am in Charlotte. If I work as a med tech for awhile, can't I eventually test for CNA I ? The Med Tech training is far less expensive, that's is why I am choosing that route. Thanks for the input

wrmbreeze · Apr 21, 2004

I think all med techs can do is give meds, not sure about Charlotte,but here you only give meds. At least thats what I have been told by people in LTC.

boulergirl, CNA · Aug 16, 2004

I work at an assisted-living home where nursing assistants (CNA's or not) can become certified med techs. Someone comes from pharmacy to teach a 1-2 hr. class. You get your certificate and are qualified to pass oral and topical meds, including narcotics. (We work under our boss' nursing license, so carrying the med keys is a SERIOUS responsibility.) We can't stick anyone with needles, even to test glucose levels. Diabetic residents either monitor themselves or a home health nurse comes in.

As far as other responsibilities, the med tech does resident care, laundry and other stuff like the rest of us, but the meds come FIRST. They must be administered on time. Also, the med techs rotate as shift supervisor. That's the drawback. I wouldn't mind passing meds all day and letting someone else do the supervising! :rotfl:

crafternextdoor · Dec 12, 2007

Hello, all

I have been an STNA/HHA for 6 years. But really i've been doing this type of work for 14 years.(since I was 10.) I need a fresh start.I've been wanting to get my Med Tech, but I don't know where to go. I all ready remind people to take their meds.But i've been doing this so long it would be easyer if I could just administer them my self. I live in youngstown, OH. Dose anyone know where I could go to get my Med Tech? I've been looking on line but i've had no luck.

Thanks for your help,

Sharr

RoseycheeksCNA · Mar 12, 2008

hi i have been a cna for 6 years i would like to be a med tech should i ? what colloge were you takling about in shelby?

RoseycheeksCNA · Mar 12, 2008

Thank you for any posts that will help me to decide whether to become a Med tech or not. Are the Med Tech classes offered at Cleveland Community College. This is the only one I know of in Shelby.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2008

I think being a CNA would help you more than a Med Tech if you're ultimate goal is to be a nurse. CNA's do hands on care. It gets you used to interacting with a wide variety of patients and interacting with nurses. Being a med tech would get you used to passing medications, but as a nurse you'll need to know much more about the actually medications, the patients conditions, pharmocology, etc.

Becoming a surgical tech is a good career option, but an entirely different tract than nursing.

Partwerks · Dec 16, 2009

What's all involved in being a Med. Tech/Aide? Is there a difference in the two?

Thinking of a career change and someone mentioned this. I'm not sure. I don't like sticking people with needles or taking the pulse. Would this particular job just be limited to dispensing medications? How much education would be required?

Thanks for any information.....

cware6 · Jan 16, 2010

In Florida, being an CNA requires taking vital signs (pulse, respirations, blood pressure and temperature). I can understand fear of injecting someone with a needle, but why would taking a pulse be upsetting?

Med techs would in assisted living facilities and oversee the self administration of oral or topical medications by the residents that live there.:)

gsjules · Oct 4, 2011

As the director of health services at an asst living. I'm still blown away that a nurse doesn't have to pass the meds. What did I fo to college for? Well the big pay increase really. Working as a med tech is a fast way to give you a taste od whether nursing s the path for u.

Pay is low and the load is heavy like I said you are essentially the nurse on duty. It's hard work.