Key Points

• A Certified Medication Aide (CMA) administers specific medications under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse who is physically present in the facility.
• To qualify, you must be an active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in good standing on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry with at least 2,000 hours of work experience.
• Required training includes 60 classroom hours, 10 simulation lab hours, and 30 clinical hours for a total of 100 hours.
• The average salary for a Certified Medication Aide in Illinois is approximately $41,300 per year ($18.99/hour), based on BLS data for Nursing Assistants.
• Practicing as a medication aide without proper certification can result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per offense.

What is a Medication Aide?

A Certified Medication Aide is a CNA who has completed additional state-approved training to administer medications to residents in qualified skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. In Illinois, CMAs must work under the delegation and supervision of a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) who is on duty and physically present on-site. Facilities that employ CMAs are also required to disclose this in their admission agreements.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Administering routine oral, topical, and certain inhaled medications.
• Documenting all administered medications and any resident refusals.
• Monitoring residents for adverse reactions and reporting them immediately to the supervising RN.
• Performing their duties without any other assigned tasks during medication distribution ("med pass").

CMAs are strictly prohibited from administering Schedule II controlled substances or medications via subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, or intravenous routes.

How to Become a Certified Medication Aide in Illinois: Step-by-Step

Following the state's official guidelines, becoming a CMA in Illinois is a straightforward process.

1. Meet the Prerequisites

Before you can enroll in a CMA program, you must meet specific requirements set by the state.

• Hold an active CNA certification: You must be a Certified Nursing Assistant in good standing on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry.
• Gain work experience: You need proof of at least 2,000 hours of work experience as a CNA.
• Pass a background check: A criminal background check is required for certification.

If you're not a CNA yet, you can use Dreambound to find approved CNA training programs in Illinois. The platform makes it easy to search for schools by location, schedule, and payment options.

2. Complete a State-Approved CMA Program

You must successfully complete a 100-hour training program approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The curriculum is divided into three parts:

• 60 hours of classroom instruction
• 10 hours of simulation lab study
• 30 hours of a clinical practicum supervised by an RN

These programs cover topics like pharmacology, safe medication administration, and legal responsibilities. Once you complete your training, you'll be ready to find the right find the right Medication Aide training program to advance your career.

3. Pass the State Certification Exam

After completing your training, you must apply to the IDPH and pass the state's official Medication Aide competency exam. The department or its designated testing service administers the test.

You must pay an application fee and an exam fee, which are set by the IDPH. Be aware that you have three years from the date you apply to complete the entire certification process, including passing the exam. If you do not finish within this timeframe, your application will be denied, and you will have to start over.

Maintaining Your Illinois CMA Certification

Once certified, your name will be listed as "active" on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry. Because Illinois does not license medical assistants at the state level, continuing education (CE) and renewal requirements are determined by the national organization that provides your certification.

For example, the CMA (AAMA) credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants requires recertification every 60 months (five years), which involves earning 60 CE units. Always check with your specific certifying body for its current renewal policies to keep your certification active.

Understanding CMA Regulations and Penalties

The Illinois CMA program operates under strict rules. Only "qualified facilities" approved by the IDPH may employ CMAs. To qualify, a facility must be in good standing and certify that using CMAs will not reduce its RN or LPN staffing levels.

Practicing as a medication aide without the proper state certification is illegal and carries severe consequences. Anyone who practices, offers to practice, or holds themselves out as a medication aide without certification is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each offense.

Salary and Career Outlook for Illinois CMAs

The average annual salary for a Certified Medication Aide in Illinois is $41,300, as of May 2024.

Your actual salary will depend on your location, experience level, and the type of facility you work for. The role offers a stable career path with strong demand in skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state.