Key Points

• What is a Certified Medication Aide? A Certified Medication Aide is an experienced CNA who has completed a 60-hour state-approved program to safely administer medications in a nursing home.
• How to become a Certified Medication Aide in Florida? To become a CMA in Florida, you must have an active, clear CNA license for at least one year, complete a 60-hour state-approved training program, and pass a competency exam.
• Length of training for Certified Medication Aide: The required training is 60 hours (40 classroom, 20 clinical), which can be completed in just a few weeks.
• Average Certified Medication Aide salary in Florida: While CMAs are a new role, they are a high-level CNA. The median salary for Nursing Assistants in Florida is $37,210 per year (BLS, May 2024). CMAs can expect to earn 10-20% more than this, placing them at the top of the CNA pay scale.
• Number of employment of Certified Medication Aides in Florida: This is a new certification for Florida's 83,930 employed Nursing Assistants (BLS, May 2023), representing a major opportunity for advancement.

What is a Certified Medication Aide? What does a CMA do?

A Certified Medication Aide (CMA) is a CNA who has taken additional, specialized training to be legally qualified to administer medications to residents in a nursing home. They work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

In Florida, this role was officially established by law (F.S. 464.2035) in 2023 to improve staffing and patient care in long-term care facilities.

Key responsibilities of a Florida CMA include:

• Administering routine oral, topical, ophthalmic, otic, inhaled, and transdermal medications.
• Measuring and recording vital signs before administering certain medications.
• Observing residents for medication side effects and reporting any changes to the nurse.
• Documenting all administered medications accurately in the patient's chart.
• Performing blood glucose checks via finger stick.

What a CMA in Florida CANNOT do:

• Administer injections (like insulin)
• Give medications via a feeding tube
• Administer controlled substances
• Take verbal or telephone orders from a physician
• Perform medication calculations

CMA vs. Med Tech (Assisted Living)

It is critical to understand the difference:

• Certified Medication Aide (CMA): This new certification is for CNAs working in nursing homes and is regulated by the Board of Nursing.

• Medication Technician (Med Tech): This is a separate, 6-hour certification for unlicensed staff working in Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs). A CMA cannot work in an ALF without also getting the Med Tech certification, and vice versa.

Where Do Certified Medication Aides Work?

The Florida law that created the CMA certification specifically authorizes this role for nursing homes licensed under Chapter 400.

The primary workplaces for CMAs in Florida are:

• Nursing homes
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Long-term care facilities

This certification does not currently apply to hospitals or assisted living facilities, which have different staffing rules.

Requirements to Become a Certified Medication Aide in Florida

To qualify as a CMA in Florida, you must:

• Be a CNA with a clear and active DOH certification for at least 1 year
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Have completed a 120-hour CNA training program approved by the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON)
• Pass the nursing assistant competency exam

Only CNAs who meet these requirements can apply for the medication aide pathway.

4 Steps to Become a Certified Medication Aide in Florida

1. Enroll in a state-approved class

Start by becoming a CNA if you are not already certified. You can find CNA training programs in Florida through Dreambound. Once certified, you can choose from 100+ medication aide classes listed on Dreambound.

2. Meet eligibility requirements

To begin training as a CMA, you must hold an active CNA license for at least 12 months. This ensures you have clinical experience before administering medications.

3. Complete the 40-hour training program

• 34-hour course: Covers medication administration, glucose monitoring, oxygen adjustments, and CPAP device assistance.
• 6-hour course: Focused on medication tasks in a home health setting.
  Training includes hands-on clinical practice in a nursing home, supervised by an RN or physician.

4. Maintain your certification

Every 2 years, CMAs must complete 24 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours dedicated to medical error prevention and safety.