A medication aide distributes patient medications in nursing homes, schools, correctional facilities, or other non-hospital, assisted living facilities for the physically or mentally disabled. Medication aides are directly supervised by doctors or other licensed caretakers. They assist patients in properly taking oral, topical, or intravenous prescriptions in correct dosages, as well as adhering to strict medical regimens. A medication aide also supervises patients to ensure they do not have any adverse reactions after taking their medications.
Knowledge on the classifications and side effects of drugs is a main requirement of medication aides. The medication aide is required to take inventory of drugs at the beginning and end of his or her shift. A medication aide will typically measure patients’ vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure.
The applicant must be 18 years old with a year of encumbered service as an STNA in the state of Ohio. A state exam follows the course that is required by the Ohio State Board of Nursing. The course is six weeks in length.
A medication aide career is often treated as a stepping stone to a more advanced nursing career. In addition, a Medication Aide can then help ensure nurses have more time to devote to more advanced medical duties, such as working directly with doctors, monitoring medical machines, and performing minor medical tests. The salary for a Medication Aide ranges from $20,000-30,000 annually.
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Classroom Environment
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- Lecture
- Role-play
- Audio-visuals
- Tests
- Quizzes
- Practicum
- Lab work
- Medication administration (simulation)
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