Med Techs work under your license?

[changeofpaceRN]

Is this true? I just started a new job at an assisted living facility and they have about 6 med techs passing meds during my shift. I'm basically in the nurses station taking care of orders, charts and phone calls from family. I'm rarely on the floor of this facility that has about 244 residents.

If a med tech makes an error, does that fall back on me? These med techs have been there for YEARS and I've been there 2 days so far. Anyone know what would happen in a situation where a med tech made an error? How do I protect myself?

[SueBell]

Hi - are these Med Techs licensed - LPN, or are they kinda like CNA's?

[KellNY, RN]

You protect yourself by not working in a facility that lets UAP dispense medications.

I don't care if it's legal. There is a reason LPNs and RNs take pharm in school. A good reason.

[SueBell]

I believe I would be looking for another job FAST....

[changeofpaceRN]

From what I understand, they take a course that's a few hrs long and have to pass an exam in order to pass meds- They can't do injections. I'm in FL and many ALF and LTC use them.. actually, most places I did my clinicals had them too. I'm a brand NEW LPN and most hospitals don't hire us with no experience :-/

[SueBell]

Who gets the meds for the MT's - do they draw them from the pyxis or what, do they also give narcotics?

[changeofpaceRN]

They have the old med cart system at this facility. No computer to dispense meds. I honestly don't know if they do narcs but I will find out during my shift tonight. I have a feeling I'm going to start interviewing elsewhere :-/ It sucks because I really liked this place too.

[SueBell]

You could ask the Nurse Manager about this first, if she doesn't give you a good answer, then keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens and hurry with the interviews. Good Luck!!

[spaniel]

I went to an Urgent Care Facility for my ear. The M.D. "assigned" the "tech" to do an invasive procedure-well not majorly invasive-but it did involve placing an instrument in my ear. As I noted the tech to be shaking I asked if she had ever "done" this before (flushed an ear/removed wax). She indicated "nope" and I then ascertained she was not an RN or LPN. Grant it- this is not cardiac surgery... but as the syringe with needle came to my ear....

All I can say is that the general public better wake up. (Obviously I did not "let" the tech continue.)

[KellNY, RN]

She was going to flush your ear with a syringe with a needle?

Or was it an angiocath or the "ear syringe" in this link?

This is a basic duty, which a trained MA/tech is fully capable of performing. Actually, i learned it in the vo/tech that trained me as an MA. I never relearned it as an LPN or RN. I understand that she was shaking, but this is because she had never done it, not because she was not a state licensed employee who had passed her boards.

[suzanne4, RN]

As the licensed nurse in the facility, anyone working there in an unlicensed position is under your license. Same as for a CNA, they have a certificate, but they are under your license.

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And for the ear flushing. There is never a metal needle used, always a syringe with a plastic tip, whether a device that the facility putchases all in one, or an angiocath without the metal needle part that is used.

And that is not considered an invasive procedure by any means. No part of your body was having something stuck into it. An ear flush is a very common procedure.

[allantiques4me]

I work for a facility that utilizes Med Techs.How can I be held responsible for a med error they make when They pass meds before Im even on duty????I dont delegate them to do this task.And theyve been doing this for years.I work at a residential facility for abused kids.The laws are different I think.The Don trained them andthey got signed off.Would she be responsible??Even if shes not on duty???