McLennan Community College

Health & Human Services Continuing Education

Certified Medication Aide

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This 140-hour class will provide the necessary information and skills to prepare the student to become a state-certified medication aide and work in health care facilities, where he/she will assist nurses in providing medications and patient care.

The class will cover basic medication administration concepts, health care team responsibilities in medication administration, legal and ethical aspects, drugs’ effects on systems of the body, professionalism, communication skills, anatomy and physiology related to medication administration, safety and infection control, first aid and emergency care, common medication administration problems, special care concerns, and other health care topics.

Medication aides perform under the supervision of a Licensed Vocational Nurse or a Register Nurse. The Medication Aide Training course is required for anyone wishing to work as a medication aide in a long-term care facility. As soon as possible, following completion of training, the student is scheduled to take the state medication aide examination.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND/OR PREREQUISITES

• Must be employed in a facility as a Nurse Aide  OR, employed as non-licensed direct patient care provider in a facility with 90 days during the 12-month period before the first day of course.
• Able to read, write speak and understand English
• At least 18 years old
• Free of communicable disease, and in suitable physical and emotional health to safely administer medications
• Medication Aide Experience State Form signed & notarized by employer confirming employment status on first day of course. Student must be employed as a direct patient care provider in a health care facility on/by the first day of class.
• Notarized High school diploma, transcript or GED
• Immunizations  (see Note 1)
• Drug screen (Note 1)
• Fingerprints will be required to be submitted to HHSC prior to completion of the program (see Note 2)

• NOTE 1: Prior to entering any health care class in the Health and Human Services Continuing Education department, all health care students will be required to show proof of immunization against Hepatitis B, varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria/tetanus, and proof of tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray. In addition to the immunization requirements, the student must provide results of a drug screen; at least 10 panel or more (Within 30 days before the class start date).
• NOTE 2: Prior to completion of the Program the students fingerprints will be done, this replaces a background check. The student will have to email medication_aide_program@HHS.texas.gov to receive a code to set up their fingerprints with IdentoGO. McLennan Community College is not responsible for setting up the fingerprinting appointment or refunding due to a failed fingerprinting background check. Fingerprints can be done through IdentoGo once student has received their code from HHS. 

CLASS/SECTION NUMBER: 

CMA Course: NURA 1013

CMA Recertification: NURA 1041

 Follow the link HERE  to search upcoming classes! 

CLASS SCHEDULE:

Fall full Length 2023 Dates:

September 6, 2023-November 30, 2023 ,TWTH, 5p-9p

Fall 2023 Recertification Dates:

September 25, 2023 M 9am-5pm

October 30, 2023 M 9am-5pm

November 27, 2023 M 9am-5pm

Spring 2024 Recertification Dates:

January 29, 2024 M  9am-5pm

February 26, 2024  M  9am-5pm

March 25, 2024  M  9am-5pm

April 29, 2024  M  9am-5pm

May 20, 2024  M  9am-5pm

Spring 2024 Full Length Course: 

February 13 - May 9, TWTH, 5p-9p

Summer 2024 Recertification Dates:

TBA

CLASSROOM LOCATION:    

CMA: CSC E Wing, RM161

Recertification: CSC E Wing, RM160