What Is a Medication Assistant and How to Become One
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What Is a Medication Assistant?
A medication assistant administers medications and assists nurses in providing care to patients in a hospital or other care facility. As a medication assistant, your job duties include following instructions and documenting dosages and timing. The qualifications necessary for becoming a medication assistant include four months of training and 140 hours of experience in a supervised clinical setting before beginning your career. Once you gain the proper certification, you can work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). The skills necessary for success beyond basic training include communication and interpersonal skills.
How to Become a Medication Assistant
The primary qualifications for getting a job as a medication assistant depend on where you live. Some states do not use medication assistants at all, which makes this a geographically-limited position. Be sure to check whether the state you want to work in allows medication assistants. If they do, further requirements vary, but they typically include becoming a certified nursing assistant and participating in additional training. You also need to take a licensing exam. This is a relatively senior position you can only take later in your career. If you want to become a medication assistant, focus on becoming a certified nursing assistant first to develop your skills.
