Medication Aide

What Is a Medication Aide?

A medication aide (MA) is a professional with certified nursing assistant qualifications and an additional certificate that lets them dispense medication to patients. Certified medication aides receive supervision from a Registered Nurse (RN) while on the job, assisting health care staff with following up on patient medications and dosing. A medication aide tracks prescription and non-prescription drugs that they administer to patients. Accurately documenting dosage times and amounts, as well as ensuring that patients swallow their medication, are primary duties of a MA job. When you are not serving as a medication aide, you will revert to the duties of a CNA and continue to care for patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

•  Dispense patient medications

• Track all prescription and non-prescription drugs that you administer, keeping meticulous records of dosage times and amounts

•  Ensure patients take their medication

•  Follow all facility standards and regulations to ensure the safety of patients and staff

Requirements and Qualifications

• At least one year of experience, ideally in an assisted living, memory care, or elderly care setting

• BLS certification

• Interpersonal skills

• Keen attention to detail