Minnesota State provides the required training to work as a Medication Aide in a skilled nursing facility. Students will develop an understanding of drug administration with this comprehensive training program. Available in two formats, classroom and hybrid, the Minnesota State curriculum offers consistency and customized training options to meet any needs. A wide variety of exercises and activities let students apply their knowledge to healthcare settings. The class includes a new textbook specifically designed for the medication aide. The training and supplemental resources will also prepare participants for written and skills exams by building knowledge and developing skills competency. This course requires a minimum of forty-eight hours of instruction. This class is a hybrid class which includes both online and in-person course work. More details on the schedule are below. Training Highlights:
- Consistent curriculum and textbook throughout all Minnesota State ensures consistent training for all employees across Minnesota Textbook is geared specifically for the role of a medication aide and offered at an affordable price for students and facilities
- Flexible training options, including in-person and hybrid, to meet the scheduling needs of students and facilities
- Eligible costs of the training may be reimbursable to nursing facilities participating in the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Nursing Facility Employee Scholarship Program
Prerequisites: Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. To work as a Medication Aide in a skilled nursing facility, students must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program. These employees are not required to take the nursing assistant exam, nor to have ever been on the nursing assistant registry. A person who challenges the Minnesota nursing assistant exam or transfers in from another state, for example, would not be eligible. It is the responsibility of the facility to document completion of an approved nursing assistant training program. Students will apply classroom learning in the laboratory setting promoting safe medication administration. To successfully complete the course, students must:
- demonstrate competency of skills by passing the final skills exam; and
- meet the online and in-person class attendance requirements with a minimum of 48 hours
Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility, please visit this website for more information:https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/4658.1360/. It is recommended that a person works as a certified nursing assistant for six months before taking this course and be at least 18 years of age.
Course Fee: This course is free of charge for students who meet the eligibility requirements. For those who are not eligible, the cost of the course is $775.00 (includes online materials, skills kit, and required textbook).
Participants will be responsible for purchasing their own drug reference guide if they do not meet the eligibility requirements. If students meet the eligibility requirements, the cost of the drug reference guide is included.
Tip: A drug reference will be useful for our entire career in healthcare. Check with your employer and/or college to see what they use daily.
Here are some suggestions for drug references from our course subject matter experts: • Pharm Phlash!: Pharmacology Flash Cards • Davis Drug Guide
ONLINE COURSE SCHEDULE: Students should expect to complete a minimum of 10 hours of online as indicated on the course schedule each week. This includes online self-paced work and a required 2-hour Zoom session per week. Zoom sessions are offered weekly on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings.
WEEK 1: June 23-24, 2024 Required Zoom Session: Sun 6/23/24, 10am-12pm OR Mon 6/24/24, 6:30pm-8:30pm
WEEK 2: June 30 – July 1, 2024 Required Zoom Session: Sun 6/30/24, 10am-12pm OR Mon 7/1/24, 6:30-8:30pm
WEEK 3: July 7 – 8, 2024 Required Zoom Session: Sun 7/7/24, 10am-12pm OR Mon 7/8/24, 6:30-8:30pm
WEEK 4: July 14-15, 2024 Required Zoom Session: Sun 7/14/24, 10am-12pm OR Mon 7/15/24, 6:30-8:30pm
ON-CAMPUS SKILLS SCHEDULE:
Saturday, 6/29/24 8am – 12pm
Saturday, 7/13/24 8am 12pm
Customized Training Solutions Building, 585 Hillside Ave, SE, Pine City, MN 55063
FINAL ON-CAMPUS EXAM: Saturday 7/27/24 8:00am – until complete
Pine Technical & Community College, 900 Fourth Street SE, Pine City, MN 55063 Main Campus Building, Room 160
Course Cancelation Policy: For paying students requesting a cancelation, a full refund will be granted 5 working days before the start of a class. No refund will be made after that. A full refund will be given on all classes canceled by the school. Eligibility Survey
Contact Sarah Steinert at 320.629.4563 or Sarah.Steinert@pine.edu for additional information.