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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.
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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
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.
To become a medication technician in Illinois, you must first meet specific educational prerequisites:
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requires that you complete an approved medication aide course study which usually takes 4-8 weeks including:
These programs typically cover medication administration, pharmacology basics, and legal and ethical considerations.
When you're ready to get your first license, you'll need to fill out some paperwork. Here's what you need to know:
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.
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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).
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.
Medication Aides can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
A Certified Medication Aide (CMA) is also commonly known as a Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) or Medication Technician (Med Tech).
If you're eager to start a career as a Medication Aide but are situated in a different state, don't be discouraged. Your opportunity to work as a Medication Aide might be found in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, or South Carolina. If you don't live near these areas, Dreambound offers a straightforward solution to scout and compare Medication Aide classes by searching with your zip code. No matter where you live, with dedication and the right resources, carving out a healthcare career is within your reach.
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Athena is Co-founder and CEO of Dreambound.