Becoming a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) in New Jersey is a rewarding career choice that offers job stability and the chance to make a difference in people's lives. This guide will teach you about the requirements, training, certification process, and more.

Summary

• You must be actively certified as a home health aide (HHA) or personal care assistant to become a Medication Aide in New Jersey.
• Medication Training programs in New Jersey take 4 to 11 weeks to complete— at least 40 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinical training.
• You must pass a Criminal Background Check (CBI) by the New Jersey State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be eligible for certification.

What is a Certified Medication Aide?

Certified Medication Aids offers valuable services in assisted living facilities, comprehensive personal care homes, dementia care homes, and assisted living programs. They are responsible for administering medications and observing and reporting their effects.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Medication Aide in New Jersey

1. Meet the Requirements

Before you start your journey, ensure you meet the basic requirements:

• You must be 18 years old to apply for a Medication Aide.
• You need a high school diploma or GED to gain certification.
• You must be certified as a home health aide (HHA) or personal care assistant in New Jersey.

2. Find a state-approved class

You can search for state-approved Medication Aide training programs in community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities that offer these programs. Dreabound offers excellent training providers for aspiring Medication Aides in New Jersey. You can search based on location, length, payment options, and program duration.

3. Complete the medication aide training program

After finding the right medication aide training, you can enroll in and complete the training program. It prepares you to administer prescribed medication, observe and report patient reactions and side effects, and perform related emergency and recording duties under supervision in assisted living residences and comprehensive personal care homes.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) requires you to complete a minimum of 56 hours of training: 40 hours of classroom training and 16 hours of clinical/lab experience. Once you complete a New Jersey DOH-approved medication aide training, you must comply with the following to be eligible for certification:

• Provide proof of an active certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Homemaker/Home Health Aide (HHA), or Personal Care Assistant (PCA) on the day of testing;
• Register for an exam within 3 months of completing the training program, and
• Undergo and pass a Criminal Background Check (CBI) by the New Jersey State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

4. Pass the certification exam

After meeting the eligibility requirements, you must register for the Medication Aide Examination. The New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHSS) is responsible for the exam content, passing score, and candidate eligibility. You need to take the standardized exam within six months of completing the approved training program. If you don't pass the exam within this timeframe, you will be required to retrain.

The exam comprises sixty questions written in English. Fifty questions are scored, and ten are non-scored pre-test questions mixed in with the scored questions. All sixty questions should be answered since the pre-test questions are indistinguishable from the others. You have two (2) hours to complete the examination.

You can pay the $58 exam fee when you schedule your exam. You can use a credit card, debit card (Visa or MasterCard), or electronic check. You can also pay ahead of time with a voucher. You can find more information from Pearson Vue’s Candidate Handbook

5. Maintain certification

NJDOH will determine the schedule for medication aides to renew their certification at least once every two years. To be eligible for renewal, medication aides must complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education, seminars, or in-service training within the two-year certification period.

To maintain your Certified Medication Aide certificate, continuing education is typically provided by your employer. If you are not actively employed as a C.M.A., the Department cannot grant an extension for a lapsed certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find Medication Aide classes?

Dreambound simplifies finding the right medication aide classes! Click on your nearest metro area to get started for example Texas.

How long is the Medication Aide training in New Jersey?

The NJDOH requires you to complete a minimum of 56 hours of state-approved training which could take 4 to 11 weeks. The program is divided into two main parts. In the first part, you learn to administer medication effectively and assist residents with self-administration. In the second part, you train to help residents with the self-administration of prepared installations, treatments, and insulin injections.

How much do Medication Aides in New Jersey make?

As of May 2023, the average annual salary for Orderlies (including Medication Aids) in New Jersey was $87,820, which is approximately $18.66 per hour. New Jersey was also one of the states with the highest number of jobs and location quotients for Orderlies.

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.

If you're looking for a better fit, these other articles could be more in line with your expectations if this one isn't precisely what you had in mind:

• Medical Transcriptionist Training in New Jersey
• Medical Billing and Coding Training in New Jersey
• Medical Administrative Assistant Training in New Jersey
• CNA Training in New Jersey