Medication Aide

This certificate program is designed to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a medication aide. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to prepare for the safe administration of medications to clients in assisted living facilities, maintain aseptic conditions, understand basic pharmacology, facilitate client self-administration or assist with medication administration, follow proper procedures for preparing, administering, and maintaining medications, and follow appropriate procedures for documentation and reporting to the licensed health care professional on duty at the facility or to the client's prescriber.

The coursework will fulfill the requirements of the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) Medication Aide Program Statutory Authority—54.1-3408.M and 54.1-3005 (17) Assisted Living Facilities Licensed by Department of Social Services (DOSS)—and make students eligible to apply to take the state examination administered by PSI Services LLC (PSI). Trained, experienced medication aides who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge and have passed the exam with a minimum of 70 percent should be able to pursue respected career options in assisted living facilities.

Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality work-based learning (HQWBL) will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.