Are you passionate about healthcare and looking to take your career to the next level? Becoming a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) in Illinois offers an exciting opportunity to expand your medical skills and increase your earning potential! This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to join this rewarding healthcare profession in the Prairie State.

Key Points

• A Certified Medication Aide is a licensed healthcare professional who administers medications to patients under nursing supervision in long-term care facilities and assisted living communities.
• To become a CMA in Illinois, you must hold an active CNA certification with 2,000 hours of experience, be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check.
• The medication aide classes in Illinois consist of 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical training, typically completed within 8-10 weeks.
• CMAs in Illinois earn a competitive salary ranging from $31,200 to $42,500 annually, with the average wage being $35,840 per year. Chicago metro area positions often offer higher compensation.

What is a Medication Aide?

A Medication Aide, also known as a Certified Medication Technician (CMT) or a Medication Technician (MT), is a healthcare professional who is responsible for administering medications to patients under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Their primary role is to ensure the safe and accurate administration of medications prescribed to patients.

The responsibilities of a Medication Aide may include:

• Administering medications orally, topically, or through injections

• Monitoring and recording patients' vital signs before and after medication administration

• Documenting medication administration in patients' medical records

• Observing and reporting any adverse reactions or side effects to the nurse or physician

• Assisting with medication inventory management and reordering

How to Become a Certified Medication Aide in Illinois?

1. Find a state-approved class

To become a Certified Medication Aide in Illinois, you must first start by becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). If you're not already a CNA, don't worry! You can check Dreambound to help you find approved CNA training programs in Illinois. Their user-friendly platform allows you to search based on location, program length, and payment options, making it easy to find a program that fits your needs. Once you've completed your CNA training and gained some experience, you'll be ready to take the next step in finding the right Medication Aide training program for you.

2. Meet the requirements

To become a medication technician in Illinois, you must first meet specific educational prerequisites:

• High School diploma or GED: You must earn a high school diploma or GED or demonstrate functional literacy (8th-grade reading level).
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license: You must hold an active CNA license in Illinois with at least 2,000 hours of recent (within the past three years) experience. This ensures you have the foundational knowledge in patient care.
• CPR certification: You must be certified to perform CPR by the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross.
• Background check: You must pass a background check and fingerprinting.

3. Complete your training

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requires that you complete an approved medication aide course study which usually takes 4-8 weeks including:

• A minimum of 60 hours of classroom training;
• A minimum of 10 hours of simulation lab study, and
• A minimum of 30 hours of registered nurse (RN)-supervised clinical practicum with progressive responsibility for patient medication assistance.

These programs typically cover medication administration, pharmacology basics, and legal and ethical considerations.

3. Pass the certification exam

When you're ready to get your first license, you'll need to fill out some paperwork. Here's what you need to know:

• You'll fill out forms that the Illinois Department of Public Health provides. The forms will ask for information that helps the Department decide if you qualify for a license.
• You'll have to pay a fee when you submit your application. This fee covers the cost of giving the test. Just remember, you can't get this fee back even if your application is denied. If you sign up for the test but don't show up, you'll lose your fee.
• The Department will tell you when and where you can take the test.
• You have 3 years to finish your application process after you start it. If you don't finish within 3 years, your application will be rejected. You'll lose your application fee, and you'll have to start over with a new application. If this happens, you'll need to meet whatever rules are in place when you apply again.

4. Maintain certification

When you become a licensed medication aide, your license will have an expiration date. The rules decide when this date will be. It's important to know two things once your license expires: (1) you can’t renew it, and (2) you can’t get it back once it’s expired.

This means you need to pay attention to when your license will end. If you want to keep working as a medication aide after it expires, you might need to apply for a new license.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Medication Aide training in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requires you to complete at least 100 hours of combined learning of medication administration — at least 60 hours of classroom training, 10 hours in a simulation lab, and 30 hours of clinical practice supervised by a registered nurse (RN).

How much does a certified medication aide make in Illinois?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for Orderlies (a category that includes Medication Aides) in Illinois was $37,470, or about $18.01 per hour.

Where does a Medication Aide work?

Medication Aides can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities;
• Hospitals and medical clinics;
• Rehabilitation centers, and
• Home healthcare agencies.

What can I do after becoming a Medication Aide?

• Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Becoming an LPN allows you to take on more responsibilities in patient care. You'll be able to do more complex tasks and may have the opportunity to supervise CNAs and Medication Aides. LPN training programs are shorter than becoming an RN; usually taking about 12-18 months. As an LPN, you can work in various healthcare settings and often earn a higher salary than a Medication Aide.
• Become a Pharmacy Technician: Your experience handling medications makes becoming a Pharmacy Technician a great option. You'll work closely with pharmacists to prepare and distribute medications. It's a good choice if you enjoy working with medicines but want a change from direct patient care. You'll need to complete a Pharmacy Technician program and get certified, which can take 6 months to a year.
• Become a Medical Assistant: As a Medical Assistant, you'll get to use your medication knowledge while learning new clinical and administrative skills. You'll take patient vitals, assist with exams, and handle office tasks. It's ideal if you want a more varied workday. Most Medical Assistant programs take about 9-12 months to complete, followed by a certification exam.

What is another name for a certified medication aide?

A Certified Medication Aide (CMA) is also commonly known as a Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) or Medication Technician (Med Tech).

Final Thoughts

Wondering if there's more? Perhaps these other articles will be more helpful if this one isn't exactly what you're after:

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• Medical Administrative Assistant Training in Illinois
• CNA Training in Illinois