How to Become a Medication Aide

Advancing Your Healthcare Career,Allied Healthcare Fields,Challenges for Nursing Assistants,CNA,Healthcare Careers

When diving into working in the healthcare field, there are countless different pathways one can take, depending on what you desire from your career. It all depends on what you wish to get out of the work. Although the primary goals of doing this work are to support others in need and your living finances, there may be numerous personal goals pertaining to a specific person. For those who have stumbled upon here, you’re most likely delving down a particular path as we speak. Here you can learn all about the basics of a medication aide, what they do, and just how critical they are to our everyday healthcare industry.

What is A Medication Aide?

So as you’ve come here to learn, what exactly is a medication aide? A medication aide is a healthcare assistant responsible for administering daily medication to patients in varying healthcare facilities. These workers play a critical role in numerous healthcare facilities and how they operate in their everyday work. However, it’s essential to remember that this is considered an entry-level position. Therefore, medication aides will often work under or alongside higher-ups such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and others. However, there will be many pathways to branch out and expand your career from just being a medication aide. So if you’re interested in becoming a medication aide, how much does a medication aide get paid? The average yearly salary for a medication aide is $33,876.

What Can a Medication Aide Do?

As previously noted, medication aides are tasked with administering daily medication(s) to patients under the supervision of a nurse of a higher position, such as a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Working as a medication aide, alongside administering medications, you can expect to follow written or verbal instructions on how to manage the specific medications, record medication dosages and the times they were given, keep an eye on patients and document any changes regarding their condition, gather samples for analysis, routinely inspect and clean equipment, and more daily tasks.

Where do Medication Aides Work?

For those hoping to become a medication aide, you’ll most likely want to know where these positions are often viewed and where to expect availability to obtain the perfect job or perhaps jobs for you. Medication aides can often be seen in long-term care facilities, hospitals, medical centers, assisted living care centers, and correctional facilities.

What is a Certified Medication Aide?

As with numerous healthcare positions, there is always the option to specialize in a specific area of healthcare or expand your career by becoming certified in your designated profession. Medication aides have the opportunity to become certified to further their field of work and unlock the ability to do more on the job.

How to Obtain Medication Aide Certification?

Upon becoming a medication aide, if you’d like to expand and become certified, it’s crucial to remember that this will be a challenge on its own with specific requirements. The first step in becoming a certified medication aide is that most states will require you to be a CNA or state-tested nursing assistant first. CNAs looking to become certified medication aides must have a high school diploma or GED and have completed a minimum number of hours working as CNAs, completing a CMA certification course, and passing a state board exam. These are only the base requirements, as certification requirements will vary from state to state, so it’s recommended to research the specific state you’re hoping to work in. 

Find Travel and PRN Jobs for Medication Aides

Working in healthcare comes with the opportunity to travel while helping those in need. Read more about some other ways to advance your career here.

Blog published on:
September 11, 2022

Miranda is a Registered Nurse, Medical Fact Checker, and Publishing Editor at Nursa. Her work has been featured in publications including the American Nurses Association (ANA), Healthcare IT Outcomes, International Living, and more.

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