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MEDICATION ASSISTANT I COURSE GUIDELINES

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

2. The medication assistant program I 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 54-07-06.1; 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 medication assistant program I 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 and clinical   skills checklist
  H.  methods to evaluate course, faculty/coordinator, and preceptor(s)
  I.  required text/reference materials.

5. The medication assistant I course will include 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 limitation of medication
       assistant I 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 54-07-05-05   Eligibility for Medication Assistant Registration
       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 of medication packaging
  4. Storage of medication
  5. Administering and charting medications
  6. Standard precautions for infection control
  7.  An overview of the major categories of medications and 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.  Clinical instruction for the purposes of demonstration of medication
       administration and evaluation of individual competence.

6.  Medication assistant program I students must complete the clinical portion of the medication assistant program within six months of completion of the theory portion.
 
7.  Clinical practice instruction must occur in a clinical site in which the theory and/or clinical objectives can be met.  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.  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.

9. 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.

10.  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
 
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


5/99; Reviewed 4/01; 6/04; 11/06
 

Related Information

Board Approved Medication Assistant Programs

Medication Assistant Categories

Medication Assistant I and Medication Assistant II Program Comparisons

Medication Assistant I Course Guidelines

Medication Assistant II Course Guidelines

Medication Administration by a Medication Assistant

Medication Assistant III

Comparison Chart for UAP and CNA

Unlicensed Assistive Person FAQ

Medication Assistant FAQ

Related Forms

UAP Initial Registry Application
file size: 51 kb

Medication Assisitant Initial Application
file size: 57 kb

Verification of Eligibility for MA Reg-(student nurses in education program)
file size: 57 kb

Medication Assistant I Program Approval/Reapproval
file size: 76 kb

Medication Assistant II Program Approval/Reapproval
file size: 76 kb

Request for Release of Transcript-Medical Assistant
file size: 60 kb

UAP/MA Affidavit of Name Change
file size: 26 kb