Medications

[OzBound]

I live in Florida and was curious to know if home health aids and cna's can give meds. They have weekly med trays filled with meds the daughter fills but who knows whats in there. Also, they crush the Dads meds and we aren't sure if some are time released.

[Saysfaa]

Neither CNAs or home health aides can legally administer meds. Under certain rules, they can assist a person in self administering meds. I'm not sure about Florida, but in my state, that means the person is mentally with-it enough to do their meds themselves and just need help with the physical aspects like opening the bottle.

Well, anyway, as long as I have it up, here's the Florida regulations if you want them: http://www.ecservicesunlimited.com/pdf/Florida_rules_statutes_CNA_HHA.pdf

[yousoldtheworld]

At group homes around here, the "aides" (who aren't even certified and just considered caregivers, despite the fact that they have to do most things that aides do) give meds. And I know at least one home health agency that does have the aides give meds. How this works is beyond me

[Saysfaa]

It is my observation that an uncertified person can legally do more than a certified person. I've seen some discussion on allnurses about RNs working as CNA, they have to work as CNAs (not do the things a CNA can't do even though an RN can do them) but are still held to the standard of their RN license if anything goes wrong. The general concensus was it was an unworkable situation for the most part.

I don't know what the ramifications of an uncertified person working as an uncertified person, other than the State Department in my state (not Florida) is pretty strict about the qualifications of the people ltc agencies and facilities can hire.

Lol, I don't know if that helps or muddles things, but there is my for whatever it is worth.

[Sally Lou]

At group homes around here, the "aides" (who aren't even certified and just considered caregivers, despite the fact that they have to do most things that aides do) give meds. And I know at least one home health agency that does have the aides give meds. How this works is beyond me

The group home probably pays for the training.

I was med trained @ my previous job (residential school).

[yousoldtheworld]

The group home probably pays for the training.

I was med trained @ my previous job (residential school).

The ones around here don't, though. One of my friends got hired at a group home nearby as her first job, and she had one day of training. They learned to change a brief and give a bath, and their training on the meds consisted of being given a list of pills for each and told "give these to them before bed". They weren't even told what the meds were for. I always wondered how that was permissable.

[Sally Lou]

The ones around here don't, though. One of my friends got hired at a group home nearby as her first job, and she had one day of training. They learned to change a brief and give a bath, and their training on the meds consisted of being given a list of pills for each and told "give these to them before bed". They weren't even told what the meds were for. I always wondered how that was permissable.

Wow!

Do you know if they are state funded?

[yousoldtheworld]

I just tried to look for some info on the place and it seems like it's a privately owned/run company.

[MichaelCNA]

Hello,

I am a Med Tech in a ALF/Memory Care facility that is owned by a large corporation. The training we are provided is short, albeit, very comprehensive. While we are not trained extensively on the purpose of each medication, this information is available (most of the time), on the Resident's MAR. If not, we have drug handbooks throughout the facility.

I consider myself to be a major advocate for CNAs having the ability to pass medications. It is extremely helpful if you are a Nursing student, provides insight into the Resident's condition, and allows the CNA to become more involved in Resident care sans ADLs and grooming. As CNAs, we need all the empowerment we are afforded.

Best.