MEDICATION ASSISTANT II COURSE GUIDELINES
(07/04)

1. The purpose of the Medication Assistant Program II is to prepare the medication assistant for the administration of medication at an employing agency.

2. The medication assistant program II course is approved by the Board of Nursing prior to implementation and every four years thereafter unless changes are made in the faculty/coordinator or curriculum.

References:  NDAC 54-07-05; NDAC 54-07-07; NDAC 54-07-08.

3. The registered nurse is responsible for the development of the theory, laboratory component, and supervision of the program.  All medication administration as a part of the clinical learning experience must be supervised by a licensed nurse

4.  The theory portion of the course must be successfully completed before beginning the clinical portion. 

5. The medication assistant program II course syllabus and support materials include:
    A.  course description
   B.  course objectives
   C.  content in outline form
   D.  clinical practice objectives
   E.  clinical practice learning experiences
   F.  teaching/learning methods
   G.  specific methods for evaluating achievement of the course objectives
        i.e. sample examination for each unit and clinical skills checklist
   H.  methods to evaluate course, faculty/coordinator, and preceptor(s)
   I.  required text/reference materials.

6. The medication assistant II course will include theory instruction as appropriate to the scope of practice for the medication assistant  includes but is not limited to:
   A. Curriculum
              1.  Medication concepts
              2.  Roles, responsibilities, legal aspects and limitations of medication
                   assistant II and licensed nurse.
                  This will include a discussion of the following:
                  NDAC 54-07-05.  Medication Administration by a Medication Assistant
                  NDAC 54-07-08.  Specific Delegation of Medication Administration.
                  NDAC 54-07-05-04.  Requirements for Supervision.
                  NDAC 54-07-05-06.  Medication Assistant Registration Renewal
                  NDAC 54-07-05-07.  Reactivation of Lapsed Medication Assistant
                  Registration.
                  NDAC 54-07-05-08.  Medication Assistant Registration Disciplinary
                  Action.
                  NDAC 54-07-05-09.  Routes or Types of Medication Administration.    
                  NDAC 54-07-05-10.  Pro Re Nata Medication.
             3. Methods for medication packaging
             4. Storage of medication
             5.  Administering and charting medications
             6.  Standard precautions for infection control
             7. A study of major categories of medications related to the body
             systems.   
  B.  Additional instruction shall include those categories of medications relevant to the health care setting where the medication assistant will be employed.
  C.   Laboratory and Clinical instruction for the purpose of demonstration of medication administration and evaluation of individual competence.
 
7.  Clinical practice instruction must occur in a clinical site in which the theory and/or clinical objectives can be met. 
The student has six months from completion of classroom instruction to successfully complete the clinical portion of the program. The minimum standards include direct over-the-shoulder supervision with initial medication pass; Observe and evaluate the student’s performance until 90% performance standard on the clinical skills check list is obtained; and decrease the amount of supervision only when the student demonstrates the 90% performance standard.

8. Student records will be maintained by the institution and include the following:
  A.  Course start and completion date;
  B.  Clinical skills check list- 90% performance standard
  C.  Examination scores; passing score of 85%
  D.  Copy of certificate of successful completion to include name and location of the institution, course title, date of completion, full name of the person who completed the program, signature of the program coordinator, and date the certificate was awarded.

9. Medication assistant programs shall maintain records that are available for a period of seven years.  These records shall include:
  A.    Curriculum
  B.    Evaluation tools for student performance, theory and clinical
 
10.  Medication assistant program coordinators are required to submit to the board office, within two weeks of completion  of a course, a list of students completing the program.  The list shall contain the name, address, social security number of the student; the name and qualifications of the faculty; clinical facility/employer and address; and facility clinical coordinator of each student who successfully completes the course.

11.  The evaluation process includes, but is not limited to:
  A.  Terminal evaluation of the student’s achievement of theory and clinical objectives.
  B.  Methods by which the student can evaluate the course, faculty/coordinator, and preceptor(s).
  C.  A method for periodic review of the course.

 
North Dakota Board of Nursing
919 S 7th St, Suite 504
Bismarck, ND 58504-5881
(701) 328-9777