Who's qualified for dispensing medication to assisted living patients? My mother is in an assisted living facility. There is a student nurse in charge over the weekend. Nurses' aides and healthcare technicians who have only completed one four-to-eight hour course are allowed to pass out medications. This concerns me -- are they properly qualified?
Expert Answer by Nan Hayes
CNA 's should not give any medications to the patient , yet, if certified they can assist the patient in self administering the medication. Even when certified, the medication should be pre-measured and given to them by a nurse or doctor. This sounds like the situation you have described and is OK.
Medical Assistants, who have more educaiotn than the CNA, can give shots under supervision of an on-duty doctor. An IV may only be administered by a nurse or a doctor.
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