Course Description
Medicine Aides are currently employed Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) or Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNA) that have been recommended by their Director of Nursing to pursue the Certified Medical Aide Training. Certified Medicine Aides assume the responsibility of safely administering non-parenteral medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
This course will train and prepare currently employed Maryland Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and/or Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNA) for a role in safely administering non-parenteral medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The course includes instruction in both theory and the clinical setting, and the focus is on all approved routes of medication administration and the scope of responsibility of the CMA.
Students entering this program should have effective verbal and written communication skills using the English language and must be competent in basic mathematics.
Completion of this course allows a CNA/GNA to work as a CMA and safely prepare, administer and record medications for patients in assisted living and long term care facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook is 8% growth between 2020 and 2030, with a predicted 192,800 new job openings per year. This growth is in line with the average growth for all occupations.
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
- demonstrate safe medication administration practices,
- demonstrate knowledge of medication terminology and abbreviations,
- demonstrate knowledge of medication classifications and actions in the body, and
- demonstrate competency in skills to administer medications safely within the scope of a Certified Medicine Aide
CCBC Pathway
Health Professions Pathway. Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.
Course Credential
CCBC Credential: Students will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate.
Certifying Organization:
Students who successfully complete the program will have their completion information sent to the Maryland Board of Nursing, which will indicate on the website that the student is a Certified Medicine Aide.
Length of Training
6 weeks
Course offerings and times vary by campus.
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Partial Payment Option (through Nelnet Business Solutions)
Tuition Waiver for those who qualify
Employer/Sponsor Paid Tuition
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Local Office of Workforce Development
Course Requirements
- Current, active, unencumbered Maryland CNA\GNA\CMA certificate per Maryland Board of Nursing web page (MBON) https://mbon.maryland.gov.
- Written verification from the employer (nursing facility) or the CMA applicant affirming that the applicant has:
- practiced as a CNA for at least 16 hours in the two (2) years immediately preceding admission to the CMA Clinical Update;
- practice as a GNA for at least eight (8) hours in the preceding two (2) years; and
- practice as a CMA for 100 hours in the two (2) years immediately preceding admission to the CMA Clinical Update.
- Written recommendation for the CMA Training Program by the Director of Nursing of the employing ICF/MR or licensed nursing home.
- Current CPR certification.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.
Application Process
Provisional Entry – Before admission to the program candidate must have a positive recommendation from the director of nursing in the facility where the candidate is employed. Documentation is to be provided to course coordinator prior to registration. Email CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for more information.
Course Sequence
Excellent attendance is required
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
|
AHL281
|
Medicine Aide Training
|
82
|
Hartman’s Complete Guide for the Medicine Aide ISBN# 9781604251319 $25.00.
Davis Drug Guide for Nurses, 18th ed. ISBN# 9781719646406 $42.36
|
$949
T-$285/F-$664
|
Additional Offering
For students to maintain Medicine Aide Certification, certification renewal must be completed every 2 years - renewal with CNA/GNA certification
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
|
AHL172
|
Medicine Aide Continuing Education
|
8
|
Handouts Provided in Class
|
$99
T-$30/F-$69
|
|
|
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA. Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
Course Contact Information
Contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for more information about upcoming course options.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’s Medicine Aide Training
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Medicine Aide Training program is to train Geriatric Nursing Assistants to become Certified Medicine Aides through the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Certified Medicine Aides are required to be on their feet for long periods of time, caring for patients at the bedside, transferring and/or positioning patients. They need to exercise safe practices while exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, materials and communicable diseases. Their duties also require them to function quickly with accuracy while being detail-oriented. A high level of manual dexterity, psychomotor skills, and personal integrity are vital.
The following is a partial listing of the types of skills usually required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Work/or stand on feet for up to 12 hours
- Lift at least 50 pounds or more and position patients
- Move swiftly within close quarters while maintaining sterile field
- Assist with minor procedures
B. Adequate vision to:
- Read patient ID bracelets for correct administration of care
- Read instruction sheets and computer screens
- Read medical measuring equipment, scale, thermometer, graduated cylinder, sphygmomanometer
C. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand verbal instructions
- Properly use of stethoscope
- Hear machines/equipment or room bells
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. Have the ability to:
- Interact with other health professionals in a polite and professional manner
- Respect patient confidentiality and rights
- Adhere to all policies of CCBC and/or clinical externship facility
- Work in a professional manner as part of a team
- Interact in a professional with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
B. Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Accurately interpret patient needs
- Provide patient/public education related to the Nurse Support Technician profession
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Exercise independent judgment within the practice to properly care for patients
- Accurately identify and carry out tasks delegated by registered nurses
- Work calmly and efficiently in stressful situations
- Maintain calmness during an emergency situation
- Complete program requirements
Environmental Requirements:
- Wearing gowns, caps, masks, gloves, and eye protection
- Working in an environment that may be noisy at times
- Working in an environment that exposes one to potentially hazardous materials including cleaning agents and chemicals, body fluids
- Working in an environment with unpleasant odors
- Provide proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and tetanus
- Receive Hepatitis B vaccinations and/or sign a waiver