Medication assistant II training and competency evaluation program requirements

The medication assistant II program requirements are applicable to settings in which a licensed nurse may or may not be regularly scheduled. The medication assistant II program consists of a minimal time frame, including forty hours of theory, eight hours of laboratory, and thirty-two hours of clinical learning experience. The curriculum must meet the requirements in this section, and include at a minimum: 1. Instructor. A registered nurse is responsible for the development of the theory, laboratory component, and supervision of the medication assistant II program. All medication administration as a part of the clinical learning experience must be supervised by a licensed nurse. 2. Course objectives. Described in terms of student outcome competencies, including the following: a. Utilize the principles of safety in the administration of medications; b. Define terms related to the administration of medications; c. Correctly interpret abbreviations commonly used in administration of medications; d. Know and apply laws related to medication administration; e. Keep accurate records; and f. Identify legal parameters of the medication assistant role. 3. Curriculum. The medication assistant program II curriculum for delegated medication administration must include: a. Medication concepts: (1) Terminology and standardized abbreviation; (2) Classification of medication; (3) Generic and trade names; (4) Dosage, range, and action; (5) Side effects; (6) Medication routes; and (7) References and sources of information. b. Roles, responsibilities, legal aspects, and limitations of medication assistant II and licensed nurse: (1) Scope of duties for a medication assistant II; (2) Licensed nurse responsibilities in relationship to a medication assistant II; (3) Client rights, including the right to refuse medication; (4) Laws related to medication administration; and (5) Knowledge of organization policy related to medication administration. c. Methods for medication packaging. d. Storage and disposal of medication. e. Administering and charting medications: (1) Preparation and administration of medications; (2) Safety and six rights of medication administration; (3) Use of medication administration record to: (a) Administer medications; and (b) Document medication administration; (4) Prevention of medication errors; and (5) Causes and reporting of medication errors. f. Standard precautions for infection control. g. Major classes of medications related to body systems, including: (1) Cardiovascular; (2) Endocrine; (3) Gastrointestinal; (4) Integumentary; (5) Musculoskeletal; (6) Nervous; (7) Reproductive; (8) Respiratory; (9) Sensory; and (10) Urinary. h. Additional instruction must include those categories of medications relevant to the heath care setting where the medication assistant will be employed. i. Laboratory and clinical instruction for the purpose of demonstration of medication administered and evaluation of individual competence. 4. Medication assistant program II students who complete the classroom portion of the medication assistant program have six months from the completion of classroom instruction to successfully complete the clinical portion of the program. Failure to do so will render the individual ineligible to complete the clinical portion of the program. 5. Tests are developed for each unit in the curriculum, including a final test. A passing score of eighty-five percent is required on each unit test with an opportunity to retake each test one time. If a student fails on retake, additional instruction is required before further testing is allowed. The theory portion of the course must be successfully completed before beginning the clinical portion. 6. Medication assistant students shall demonstrate satisfactory performance of medication administration as evidenced by satisfactory completion of the laboratory skills and clinical skills checklist. 7. During the clinical learning experience, the licensed nurse shall: a. Provide direct over-the-shoulder supervision with initial medication pass; b. Observe and evaluate the student's performance until a ninety percent performance standard on the clinical checklist is obtained; and c. Decrease the amount of supervision only when the student demonstrates the ninety percent performance standard. 8. The medication assistant II program coordinator is required to submit to the department, within two weeks of completion of the course, a list of students successfully completing the medication assistant II program. The information submitted to the department for initial medication assistant II registration for each student must include: a. Name and location of the institution and course title; b. Date of completion; c. Full name, address, and social security number of the student; d. The name and qualifications of the instructors; e. The clinical facility or employer and address; f. The facility clinical coordinator of each student who successfully completes the course; g. Copies of the completed theoretical curriculum and clinical performance testing results for the student; h. A copy of a certificate of successful completion; i. A completed medication assistant II application; and j. A nonrefundable fee of twenty-five dollars. 9. Medication assistant II programs shall maintain records that are available for a period of seven years. Those records must include: a. Program records, including curriculum and evaluation tools for student performance, both theory and clinical; and b. Student records, including course start and completion date, laboratory and clinical skills checklist, examination scores, and a copy of the certificate of successful completion. 10. The medication assistant II program will submit a renewal application for review by the department for a determination on continued approval at least every four years.