Section R4-19-803. Certified Medication Assistant Program Require- ments

A.      Organization and Administration: A certified medication assistant (CMA) program may only be offered by those enti- ties identified in A.R.S § 32-1650.01(A).

B.       Instructor qualifications and duties

1.        A medication assistant program instructor shall:

a.         Hold a current, registered nurse license that is active and in good standing or multistate privilege to prac- tice as an RN under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 15;

b.        Possess at least two years or 3,000 hours of direct care nursing experience; and

c.         Have administered medications to residents of a long-term care facility for a minimum of 40 hours.

2.        Duties of a medication assistant instructor include, but are not limited to:

a.         Ensuring that the program meets the requirements of this Article;

b.        Planning each learning experience;

c.         Teaching a curriculum that meets the requirements of this Section;

d.        Implementing student and program evaluation poli- cies that meet or exceed the requirements R4-19- 801(A)(9) and (10);

e.         Administering not less than three secure unit exam- inations and one comprehensive final exam consis- tent with the course curriculum and the requirements of R4-19-801(B)(3)(c) and;

f.         Requiring each student to demonstrate satisfactory performance of all critical elements of each skill in subsection (D)(4) before allowing a student to per- form the skill on a patient or resident without the instructor’s presence and direct observation;

g.        Being physically present and attentive to students in the classroom and clinical setting at all times during all sessions;

3.        A program instructor shall supervise only one student for the first 12 hours of each student’s clinical experience; no more than three students for the next 12 hours of each stu- dent’s clinical experience; and no more than five students for the next 16 hours of each student’s clinical experi- ence;

C.      Clinical and classroom hour requirements and resources

1.        A medication assistant training program shall ensure each graduate received a minimum of 100 hours of total instruction consisting of:

a.         Instructor-led didactic instruction for a minimum of 45 hours;

b.        Instructor supervised skill practice and testing for a minimum of 15 hours;

c.         Instructor supervised medication administration for a minimum of 40 hours in a long-term care facility licensed by the Department of Health Services.

2.        A medication assistant program shall ensure that equip- ment and supplies are in functional condition and suffi- cient in number for  each enrolled student to practice required skills in subsection (D)(3) and (D)(4). At a mini- mum, the program shall provide the following:

a.         A medication cart similar to one used in the clinical practice facility;

b.        Simulated medications and packaging consistent with resident medications;

c.         Pill crushers, pill splitters, medication cups and hand hygiene supplies;

d.        Medication administration record forms; and

e.         Current drug references, calculator and any other equipment used to administer medications safely.

D.      Curriculum: a medication assistant training program shall pro- vide classroom and clinical instruction in each of the following subjects.

1.        Role of certified medication assistant (CMA) in Arizona including allowable acts, conditions, delegation and restrictions;

2.        Principles of medication administration including:

a.         Terminology,

b.        Laws affecting drug administration,

c.         Drug references,

d.        Medication action,

e.         Medication administration across the human life- span,

f.         Dosage calculation,

g.        Medication safety,

h.        Asepsis, and

i.         Documentation.

3.        Medication properties, uses, adverse effects, administra- tion and care implications for the following types of med- ications:

a.         Vitamins, minerals, and herbs,

b.        Antimicrobials,

c.         Eye and ear medications,

d.        Skin medications,

e.         Cardiovascular medications,

f.         Respiratory medications,

g.        Gastrointestinal medications,

h.        Urinary  system  medications  and  medications   to attain fluid balance,

i.         Endocrine/reproductive medications,

j.         Musculoskeletal medications,

k.        Nervous system/sensory system medications and

l.         Psychotropic medications.

4.        Medication administration theory and skill practice in administration of:

a.         Oral tablets, capsules, and solutions;

b.        Ear drops, eye drops and eye ointments;

c.         Topical lotions, ointments and solutions;

d.        Rectal suppositories; and

e.         Nasal drops and sprays.

5.      Any other topics deemed by the program or the Board as necessary and pertinent to the safe administration of med- ications.

Historical Note

New Section adopted by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 757, effective February 4, 2000 (Supp. 00-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 4254, effective Decem- ber 5, 2005 (Supp. 05-4). Section repealed; new Section made by final rulemaking at 20 A.A.R. 1859, effective September 8, 2014 (Supp. 14-3).