Certified Medication Aide
Requirements Before Starting
- A letter from the administrator or DON of the sponsoring facility verifying the following: 6 months of experience, DCW Registry, employee’s attune, interest & reliability
- Reading comprehension, writing ability and aptitude for math.
- Absence of history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Competency in obtaining blood pressure and apical pulses.
- Copy of license of RN who will teach the 10 hours of clinical in the sponsoring facility
- If you are a facility wanting to pay for a student/s please fill out the Registration Form and fax it to 712-325-3721
- Clinical Agreement
About the Program
- All students must take the “Prepare to Care” 6-hour lecture on the first day of class. An exam given that day must be passed with an 80% or better in order to advance to the Medication Aide portion of the class
- Students must have an 80% or better on the Medication Aide final exam, which is scheduled upon completion of the clinical portion
- All course projects and reports must be completed. Students must complete at least 10 hours of clinical in the long term care facility to successfully complete the course requirements and receive a certificate
- Clinical must be taught by the Registered Nurse in the sponsoring facility. The skills checklist must be returned by mail or in person to IWCC within 6 weeks of the last day of class
- All homework assignments must be completed satisfactorily prior to receiving the certificate
- Upon successful completion of the course, and a 10 hour clinical in the sponsoring facility, the participant will receive a certificate.
- 60-Hour course prepares nurse aides and residential attendants to administer non-parental medications in Long Term Care facilities. Course is approved but the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and Nebraska Health and Human Services regulations governing medication aides. Nebraska requires the participants to pass the Nebraska State Exam after completion of the course
Job Outlook
Wages: Median Hourly Earnings $15.53 – $18.31. Source EMSI.
Progression: As the health care field grows, so does the demand for CMAs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of nursing and psychiatric aides to grow by 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Medication Manager
Requirements Before Starting
- All students must successfully complete the Prepare To Care Core Module, offered on day #1 , before progressing to the Medication Manager lecture, day #2 & 3.
- Be proficient at measuring blood pressure and apical pulse prior to the beginning of class.
- 3-ring binder, paper, and highlighter.
- Obtain 80% or better on the final.
- Skills checklist must be signed LEGIBLY or it will be returned to the facility and the certificate will be delayed.
- A Registered Nurse must supervise the clinical part of the course.
- Skills checklist must be returned to Iowa Western within 6 weeks of the last day of class or course must be repeated.
About the Program
The purpose of this course is to prepare individuals to safely administer or supervise self-administration of non-parental medications in a Residential Care Facility of 15 or fewer beds, an Assisted Living Program, or other community-based settings such as Supervised Apartment Living or Supported Community Living Arrangements. Emphasis is placed on safely administering medications or supervising the self-administration from a prescription bottle and observing for obvious reactions to the medications.
Refunds: You may cancel your registration 5 business days prior to the start of the class date and receive a 100% refund excluding the $50 non-refundable processing fee. If contacting outside Iowa Western Community College’s Continuing Education Department business hours, leave a voicemail and or send the department an email. Iowa Western’s Continuing Education is not responsible for refunds if contact is not pursued via voicemail and or email. In compliance with the IWCC policy, refunds will only be produced in the form of a check. A check will be issued within 14 business days after the refund is admitted to the customer. Refund will be sent to the customer’s address that is on file. Certain program restrictions may apply. Contact Continuing Education for more details at ce@iwcc.edu. Cancellations: Iowa Western reserves the right to cancel any class where difficulties arise in staffing or scheduling or where a minimum enrollment is not achieved. A full refund will be issued for all canceled classes. Transfers/Withdrawals: Transfers may be subject to $25.00 transfer fee. Non-attendance for a class does not constitute a withdrawal and refunds are not issued for non-attendance. Transfers may be made up to two full business days (unless otherwise noted in the class information) prior to the start date of the class. After that time, transfers will not be permitted and no refund will be issued.