Certified Medication Technician Training Program

PURPOSE: Individuals who administer medications in intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities are required by rule to have successfully completed a medication administration training program approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services. This rule sets forth the requirements for the approval of a medication technician training program designating the required course curriculum content, outlining the qualifications required of students and instructors, designating approved training facilities, outlining the testing and certification requirements, and establishing an update course. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text of the rule is printed here. (1) Definitions. For the purpose of this rule the following definitions shall apply. (A) Cooperating agency—an intermediate care facility (ICF) or skilled nursing facility (SNF) licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services (the department) which has entered into a written agreement with the educational training agency to provide the setting for the clinical portion of the course. (B) Course—the sixty (60) hours of classroom training, eight (8) hours of clinical practice, and a two (2)-part final examination of the department-approved certified medication technician course curriculum. (C) Educational training agency—an area vocational-technical school, an area career center, a comprehensive high school, a community college, or an approved four (4) year institution of higher learning that is approved by the department to conduct the Certified Medication Technician (CMT) Course. A long-term care facility cannot be a training agency. (2) The CMT course shall be prescribed by the department in order to prepare individuals for employment as certified medication technicians in intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities (ICF/SNF). The program shall be designed to teach skills in medication administration of nonparenteral medications, which will qualify students to perform this procedure to assist licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs) in medication therapy. All aspects of the CMT course included in this rule shall be met in order for a program to be approved. (3) If the CMT course is to be conducted in an ICF/SNF, the facility must enter into an agreement with an educational training agency which is responsible to: (A) Provide administration of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and review of the student’s qualifications; (B) Arrange for a department-approved instructor; (C) Arrange for administration of the final examination; and (D) Certify the students through a department-approved certifying agency which is any one (1) of the long-term care associations or any other department-approved agency authorized to issue certificates. (4) The objective of the CMT Training Program shall be to ensure that the medication technician will be able to do the following: (A) Prepare, administer, and document administration of medications by all routes except those administered by the parenteral route; (B) Observe, report, and document responses of residents to medications administered; (C) Identify responsibilities associated with acquisition, storage, and security of medications; (D) Identify appropriate medication reference materials; (E) Observe, report, and document responses of residents to medications; (F) Identify lines of authority and areas of responsibility; and (G) Identify what constitutes a medication error. (5) The course shall consist of at least sixty (60) classroom hours of instruction taught by a department-approved CMT instructor or examiner (instructor/examiner). The course shall include an additional minimum eight (8) hours of clinical practice conducted in a licensed ICF or SNF under the direct supervision of the CMT instructor/examiner or under the direct supervision of an RN employed by the cooperating agency and designated by the educational training agency in section (9) of this rule. The instructor/examiner or the RN employed by the cooperating agency may require the student to complete more than the minimum eight (8) hours of clinical practice based on each student’s mastery of course content. A final written examination and a minimum two (2)-hour final practicum examination must be conducted in an ICF/SNF. (A) For all courses beginning on or after the effective date of this rule, the student manual and course developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Center for Career Education at University of Central Missouri as outlined in the manual entitled Certified Medication Technician, (Revised 2008), incorporated by reference in this rule and available by Internet at: www.cmttest.org shall be considered the approved course curriculum. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions. (B) For all courses beginning on or after the effective date of this rule, the approved course curriculum instructor’s guide shall be the companion Instructor’s Guide, (Revised 2008), incorporated by reference in this rule, and accessed by Internet: www.cmttest.org. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions. (C) Students and instructors shall each have a copy of the approved course curriculum manual. (D) The curriculum content shall include procedures and instructions in the following areas: 1. Basic review of body systems and medication effects on each; 2. Medical terminology; 3. Infection control; 4. Medication classifications; 5. Medication dosages, measurements, and forms; 6. Acquisition, storage, and security; 7. Problems of observations in medication therapy; and 8. Administration by oral, rectal, vaginal, otic, opthalmic, nasal, skin, topical, transdermal patches, and oral metered dose inhaler. (E) A student shall not be allowed to independently administer medications until successfully completing the CMT course. The CMT Course Evaluation Record may be used as authorization to independently administer medications for up to sixty (60) days. After this period the student must be listed on the Missouri CNA Registry as an active CMT. (6) Student Qualifications. (A) Any individual employable in an ICF/SNF who will be involved in direct resident care shall be eligible to enroll as a student in the course if the following criteria are also met: 1. High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) Certificate; 2. A minimum score of 8.9 on both Vocabulary and Comprehension tests and a minimum score of 7.0 on Mathematics Concepts and Application tests on the D level of the TABE. The tests shall be administered by the educational training agency; 3. Six (6) months of employment as a CNA who is listed as active on the Missouri CNA Registry; 4. For an individual currently employed in a long-term care facility, a letter of recommendation submitted to the educational training agency by the administrator or director of nursing of the facility, or for an individual not currently employed in a long-term care facility, a letter of recommendation submitted to the educational training agency by a previous long-term care facility employer; 5. The individual is not listed on the department’s Employee Disqualification List (EDL) and does not have a Federal Indicator on the Missouri CNA Registry or any other state’s CNA Registry that the educational training agency has checked based on a belief that information on the individual may be included; 6. The individual has not been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime in this state or any other state, which if committed in Missouri would be a Class A or Class B felony violation of Chapters 565, 566, or 569, RSMo, or any violation of subsection 3 of section 198.070, or section 568.020, RSMo, unless a good cause waiver has been granted by the department under the provisions of 19 CSR 3082.060; and 7. The individual meets the employment requirements listed in 19 CSR 30-85.042(32). (B) Students who drop the CMT course due to illness or incapacity may reenroll within six (6) months of the date the student withdrew from the course and make up the missed course material upon presenting proof of prior attendance and materials covered if allowed by the educational training agency’s policy. (C) Individuals seeking to challenge the CMT examination shall be listed as active on the Missouri CNA Registry and shall meet the criteria in paragraph (6)(A)6. of this rule. If not listed as active on the Missouri CNA Registry, the individual shall first apply to challenge and successfully pass the CNA written and practicum examination. The following individuals may qualify to challenge the final written and practicum CMT examination: 1. A student enrolled in a professional nursing school or in a practical nursing program who has completed a medication administration course and who has a letter of endorsement from the school or program director; 2. An individual who successfully completed a professional or practical nursing program in the last five (5) years but who failed the professional (RN) or practical (LPN) state licensure examination; 3. An individual who provides evidence of successful completion of a departmentapproved CMT course while working as an aide at a facility operated by the Missouri Department of Mental Health who is listed as a CNA on the Missouri CNA Registry. (D) An individual who provides evidence of successful completion of a Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH)- approved CMT course while working at a facility operated by the DMH but who is not listed as a CNA on the department’s Missouri CNA Registry may challenge the CMT examination. The CMT challenge may only be made after first completing the orientation module of the department’s approved Nurse Assistant Training Program and successfully challenging the final CNA examination so that the individual’s name appears on the department’s Missouri CNA Registry. (E) An individual who has successfully completed a department-approved medication technician course in another state, who is currently listed as a CMT in good standing in that state, and who submits a letter of recommendation to the department’s Health Education Unit from an administrator or director of nursing of a facility in which the individual worked as a medication technician. (7) Obtaining Approval to Challenge the CMT Examination. (A) An individual wanting to challenge the written and practicum final examination shall submit a request in writing to the department’s Health Education Unit enclosing documentation required by this rule. If approved to challenge the examination, a letter so stating will be sent from the department to be presented to the educational training agency. The educational training agency shall review and maintain a copy of the letter in the agency’s file prior to scheduling the individual for testing. Challenge approval letters shall be valid for one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the department’s approval. (B) An individual who has successfully completed a professional or practical nursing program and who has not yet taken or received the results of the state licensure examination may request a qualifying letter from the department’s Health Education Unit allowing the individual to administer medication in a long-term care facility. The qualifying letter allows the individual to administer medications according to this regulation in lieu of a certificate or the individual being listed on the Missouri CNA Registry as an active CMT. However, if more than ninety (90) days have lapsed since graduation or since taking the Missouri State Board Examination with no successful results confirmed, the individual shall request department approval to challenge the final examination for certification as a medication technician. (C) An individual shall not administer medications without the instructor present until the individual has successfully completed the challenge examination and holds an authorized signed CMT Course Evaluation Record. An authorized signed CMT Course Evaluation Record is good for up to sixty (60) calendar days from the examination date pending receipt of the certificate or of listing on the Missouri CNA Registry as an active CMT. (8) CMT Course Examiner Qualification Requirements. (A) In order to qualify as an instructor, examiner, or both, the individual: 1. Shall be currently licensed to practice as an RN in Missouri or shall have a temporary permit from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The instructor/examiner shall not be the subject of current disciplinary action, such as probation, suspension, or revocation of license; 2. Shall hold a current Certified Medication Technician teaching certificate from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Career Education; 3. Shall complete an instructor/examiner program workshop and be listed as a qualified CMT instructor/examiner on the department’s Instructor/Examiner Registry; 4. Shall sign an agreement with the department to protect and keep secure the final examination and the PIN used to electronically access the Instructor Guide/Test Bank; 5. May be an employee of the ICF/SNF in which training is conducted, but the ICF/SNF must have a cooperative agreement with an educational training agency; 6. Shall teach the course or facilitate the challenge examination only as permitted by the educational training agency; and 7. May be assisted by pharmacists as guest instructors in the areas of medication systems, regulations governing medications, medication actions, adverse reactions, medication interactions, and medication errors. (B) CMT Instructor/Examiner Disqualification Criteria. 1. An individual shall not be approved to be an instructor/examiner if he or she has ever been found to have knowingly acted or omitted any duty in a manner which would materially and adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or property of a resident. 2. An individual who has been approved to be an instructor/examiner shall have that status revoked if, after an investigation by the department, it is found that the individual: A. Knowingly acted or omitted any duty in a manner which materially and adversely affected the health, safety, welfare, or property of a resident; B. Defrauded an educational agency or student by taking payment and not completing a course or following through with certification documentation required by 19 CSR 30-84.020; C. Failed to teach, examine, or clinically supervise in accordance with 19 CSR 30-84.020; D. Falsified information on the CMT Course Evaluation Record or any other required documentation; E. Failed to keep secure the automated PIN access system; F. Failed to keep secure the CMT web-based, department-approved Instructor Guide/Test Bank; G. Copied test questions or answer keys; or H. Prepared students directly from the exam or utilized unfair or subjective testing techniques. (C) When an individual is no longer qualified to be an instructor/examiner, the department shall: 1. Notify the individual that he or she is no longer eligible to be an instructor/examiner; 2. Notify all certifying agencies that the individual is no longer considered an approved instructor or examiner; and 3. Remove the individual’s name from the department’s Instructor/Examiner Registry. (D) To be reinstated as an approved instructor/examiner the individual shall submit a request in writing to the department’s Health Education Unit stating the reasons why reinstatement is warranted. If the individual has not attended the Train-the-Trainer Program Workshop within two (2) years of the date of request, the individual shall retake the Train-the-Trainer Program Workshop. The Section for Long-Term Care administrator or designee shall respond in writing to the request. (9) Educational Training Agencies. (A) The following entities are eligible to apply to the department’s Health Education Unit to be an approved educational training agency: vocational-technical schools, comprehensive high schools, community colleges or approved four (4)-year institutions of higher learning. (B) All classrooms shall contain sufficient space, equipment and teaching aids to meet the course objectives. (C) A school requesting approval to teach the CMT Training Course or facilitate challenging the examination shall file an application with the department’s Health Education Unit giving the names of the instructors and listing the equipment and classroom space that will be used and shall provide a copy of an agreement with the cooperating agency where the course, clinical practice, or final practicum examination of the program will be conducted and provide the names of the RNs supervising the clinical observation. Educational training agencies shall be approved for a two (2)-year period and shall submit a new application thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date. (D) The cooperating agency in which clinical practice and the final practicum examination are conducted shall allow students, instructors and examiners access to the medication room, supervised access to residents and access to the medication documentation area. (E) There shall be a signed written agreement between the educational training agency and each cooperating agency which specifies the rules, responsibilities, and liabilities of each party. (F) The educational training agency is responsible for sending the department’s Health Education Unit a copy of the most current signed agreement with the cooperating agency where any portion of the course or the entire course will be conducted. The department shall review all signed agreements of cooperation. On-site inspections of the cooperating agency or the educational training agency may be made by the department if problems occur or complaints are received. If requirements are not met, the status as an educational training agency may be revoked by the department. (G) The classroom portion of the course may be taught in an ICF/SNF if there is an approved educational training agency as a sponsor. (10) Certified Medication Technician Course Testing. (A) Prior to the student’s enrollment, the TABE shall be administered by qualified examiners designated by the educational training agency. See paragraph (6)(A)2. of this rule. (B) To be eligible for the final course examination, students shall have achieved a score of at least eighty percent (80%) on each written examination in the course curriculum. (C) Courses beginning on or after the effective date of this rule require the instructor/examiner to administer the departmentapproved written final examination accessed through the department’s website at www.cmttest.org using a secure PIN system. The final examination shall include fifty (50) multiple choice questions based on course objectives. A score of at least eighty percent (80%) is required for passing. (D) The practicum examination shall include preparing and administering all nonparenteral routes and documenting administration of medications administered to residents. The practicum examination shall be conducted under the direct supervision of the department-approved instructor/examiner and the individual responsible for medication administered in the ICF/SNF. Testing on medications not available in the ICF/SNF shall be done in a simulated classroom situation. (E) The final examination may be retaken one (1) time within ninety (90) days of the first fail date without repeating the course. (F) A challenge examination may be taken one (1) time. If failed, the entire course shall be taken. (G) The instructor/examiner shall complete the CMT Course Evaluation Record, which includes competencies, scores, and other identifying information. (11) Records and Certification. (A) Records. 1. The educational training agency shall maintain records for at least two (2) years for those individuals who have completed the CMT Course and shall submit to a department-approved certifying agency within thirty (30) calendar days from the examination date the following: the student’s legal name, Social Security number, class beginning date and completion date, whether certified by a challenge or full course, and other identifying information from the CMT Course Evaluation Record. 2. The educational training agency shall provide a copy of the CMT Course Evaluation Record to the certified medication technician. 3. The educational training agency may release a transcript with written permission from the student in accordance with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. section 1232g. (B) Certification. 1. The educational training agency shall maintain the records of individuals who have been enrolled in the CMT course and shall submit to a department-approved certifying agency, the legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, certificate number, certification date, educational training agency and cooperating agency for all individuals who successfully complete the course and final examination within thirty (30) calendar days from the examination date. Upon receipt of the successful completion of the course, a department-approved certifying agency shall issue a certificate of completion to the student through the educational training agency. Any final examination documentation over sixty (60) days old shall be invalid. 2. Each week the certifying agency shall provide the department’s Health Education Unit with names and other identifying information of those receiving certificates. 3. The department shall maintain a list of certifying agencies approved to issue certificates for the CMT Training Program. In order for a certifying agency to be approved by the department, the agency shall enter into an annually renewable agreement of cooperation with the department. (12) Requirements for Hiring an Individual as a CMT. (A) The department shall maintain a CNA Registry, which will list the names of CMTs and other relevant and identifying information. (B) Any individual seeking employment in an ICF/SNF as a CMT must be employable as a CNA and be listed with active status as a CNA and CMT on the department’s CNA Registry. (C) When employing an individual as a CMT, the facility shall contact the department’s website at www.dhss.mo.gov/cnaregistry in order to verify current certification status of the individual. Current registry status must be verified even though the individual presents a CMT certificate. AUTHORITY: section 198.079, RSMo Supp. 2007.* This rule originally filed as 13 CSR 15-13.020. Original rule filed Aug. 13, 1982, effective Jan. 13, 1983. Amended: Filed Oct. 13, 1987, effective Jan. 29, 1988. Amended: Filed July 13, 1998, effective Feb. 28, 1999. Moved to 19 CSR 30-84.020, effective Aug. 28, 2001. Amended: Filed March 13, 2008, effective Oct. 30, 2008. ** *Original authority: 198.079, RSMo 1979, amended 2007. **Pursuant to Executive Order 21-07, 19 CSR 30-84.020, subsection (9)(B) was suspended from April 9, 2020 through August 31, 2021. Pursuant to Executive Order 21-09, 19 CSR 30-84.020, section (5), and subsections (6)(B ), (7)(A), (7)(B), (7)(C), (10)(D), and (10)(F) was suspended from April 9, 2020 through December 31, 2021.