Published Dec 24, 2012
spectrabrite, LVN
152 Posts
Does anyone know the laws governing med techs or med aides in california? I have looked but cant find anything. I was recently hired as an LVN in an Assisted Living facility and oversee a staff of med techs and just want to know what is legal and what isnt.
itsnowornever, BSN, RN
1,029 Posts
Should be in the BRN with scope of practice. You didn't have to learn it for NCLEX?
Why would non licensed staff be under the BRN? No this was not on my NCLEX-PN or in any of my schooling or continued learning.
I am looking for a site defining the scope of practice in CA. I have found such items for med techs in other states but none in CA.
prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP
813 Posts
http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/State/IssuesResources/MedTechs/MedicationAideStateChart.pdf
I hope this helps
Because they are mentioned there. This was all over my NCLEX ---what they can/can't do and what can/can't be delegates.
There was nothing of it on my NCLEX-PN. that state chart states CA does not allow med aides. Is this true? Is there anywhere that states this on a CA state site? The facility I was hired to has a full staff of med aides handling pretty much all of the medication needs. If This is not legal I would like to know and get away from this quick.
I found this after more searching - CAL. HSC. CODE 1569.69 : California Code - Section 1569.69
nakinok
32 Posts
I am a LVN who use to be a MeD Tech and I never saw anything on my NClex prep or test concerning MedTechs. I saw CNA delegation ect but not Med techs. I will try to look in my old training manual if I still have it lol and see who governs that. But as I know in Cali each tech goes through a 20-30 hour training on med administration and there is a test administered by the facility or teaching entity that you must pass before working. Many assisted living facilities use them because the scope of what is done for the patients are lower than say skilled nursing. But the administration is also defined as assisting residents to take their own meds rather than at skilled you manage the meds. When I was a tech because I was in nursing school I looked up all my meds, many of the techs didn't really know all the side effects, proper dosing ect, and what was scary I handled the MARs and made sure orders were right ect many times if I hadn't had been in school learning about pharm I wouldn't of questioned why certain things were ordered or thought to clarify things with the Dr's. We did have an Nurse manager to guide what we were doing and had a lot of Inservices to ensure safety. It is legal. Hope that helps. Just watch keep watch on staying compliant with the state for your own license my manager had to clean up slot of stuff and always reminded me that when I get there to make sure of this.
And here is where the confusion is. NCLEX most definitely should have asked about CNAs and that's what I was referring to. A facility however can deem whomever they want responsible for what they want (med techs) after deeming they are competent. After that, whomever is the supervisor must further assess their individual abilities to perform such function. After 27 hours of being awake, I hope that's understood. I'm not thinking clearly. I'm exhausted and sleep isn't coming this Christmas morning. Sorry. And I find it quite scary if NCLEX failed to see if anyone understands delegation since that is most definitely in your scope!
I am a LVN who use to be a MeD Tech and I never saw anything on my NClex prep or test concerning MedTechs. I saw CNA delegation ect but not Med techs. I will try to look in my old training manual if I still have it lol and see who governs that. But as I know in Cali each tech goes through a 20-30 hour training on med administration and there is a test administered by the facility or teaching entity that you must pass before working. Many assisted living facilities use them because the scope of what is done for the patients are lower than say skilled nursing. But the administration is also defined as assisting residents to take their own meds rather than at skilled you manage the meds. When I was a tech because I was in nursing school I looked up all my meds many of the techs didn't really know all the side effects, proper dosing ect, and what was scary I handled the MARs and made sure orders were right ect many times if I hadn't had been in school learning about pharm I wouldn't of questioned why certain things were ordered or thought to clarify things with the Dr's. We did have an Nurse manager to guide what we were doing and had a lot of Inservices to ensure safety. It is legal. Hope that helps. Just watch keep watch on staying compliant with the state for your own license my manager had to clean up slot of stuff and always reminded me that when I get there to make sure of this.[/quote']And here is where NCLEX delegation questions should have applied
And here is where NCLEX delegation questions should have applied
I do understand delegation, my NCLEX most definably did have tons of delegation questions. I just thought you were saying the NCLEX specifically discussed the role of the Med Aide.
In California just for the record CNA and MedTechs are different. As a CNA I was not suppose to give Meds in the facility setting. When I was hired as a MedTech I could only function under that certification/licensing, not my CNA or my LVN when I got it. Ijs I never saw specific delegation of MedTech duties on any NCLEX teaching or testing. So with that being said the I would believe the OP can not just look at what CNA delegation is appropriate and go off of that. Also different types of facilities function very differently assisted is very different that skilled or hospitals ect.OP I am glad you found the ordinance for Cali. I'm sure it is helpful.