Do you want to the healthcare field but do not want to spend several years studying? If so, then being a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) might be the path for you! CMAs are professionals that completed training so they can give medications to patients.
Medication Aides play an important role in checking patient health. They do this by giving medications to several patients on time. Doing these tasks frees up duties for other staff–making them the key to efficiency! If this sounds promising to you, learn about getting certified through this article.
Their ultimate role is to assist the licensed nurses (RN or LPN/LVN) in delivering safe care for patients. That is through administering prescribed drugs and doing other nursing tasks. Their duties may vary depending on the healthcare setting and state regulations. These are some common duties they need to fulfill:
CMAs work in different healthcare facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. They may also work in a clinic setting, where they work with other medical practitioners.
In some states, they perform the same duties as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). The metros that hire the most CMAs are New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston.
In some states, a CMA is also known as a QMAP (Qualified Medication and Administration Person). Your state may have a specific amount of experience needed to be a CMA. Check this on your state board of nursing.
To receive a medication aide certification, you possibly must:
Usually, your state board of nursing oversees the certification and licensure process. Each state has slightly different requirements to become a CMA. Not every state utilizes the CMA option (as some states refer to a similar role as QMAP).
Background checks are an essential component of the certification process. By doing so, facilities and regulatory bodies can verify the character of applicants. This includes screening for criminal records and confirming the absence of any criminal history.
You won’t get certified unless you pass the state board exam for medication aides. This exam is crucial in the certification process. The exam is designed to assess the candidate's competency in medication administration.
Obtaining certification requires the development and practice of essential skills. These skills will cut you above the other applicants when you are already looking for employment. Here are some important skills to focus on when preparing for certification:
Now you need to study and practice the practical skills to ace your state exam. By dedicating time and effort to practice and study, you’ll refine your knowledge. This prepares you for the most crucial step in this process. You can watch YouTube videos about the skills and use practice tests online.
Even if your state might not need you to, employers generally prefer applicants with certifications. Obtaining that certification opens a whole lot of career opportunities under your name. Here at Dreambound, we offer amazing classes that route you to certification afterward. We value your long-term career advancement, and we are confident in your capabilities!
Venice Nuyda is a student-support representative at Dreambound. She is responsible for helping students through their training journey in the allied health space. She is passionate about helping others and writing informative articles to aid candidates in advancing their vocational careers.