Arizona Administrative Code
Title 4 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
Chapter 19 - BOARD OF NURSING
Article 8 - CERTIFIED AND LICENSED NURSING ASSISTANTS AND CERTIFIED MEDICATION ASSISTANTS
Section R4-19-803 - Certified Medication Assistant Program Requirements

Universal Citation: AZ Admin Code R 4-19-803

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024

A.Organization and Administration: A certified medication assistant (CMA) program may only be offered by those entities

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 practice 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 policies that meet or exceed the requirements R4-19-801(A)(9) and (10);

e. Administering not less than three secure unit examinations and one comprehensive final exam consistent 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 perform 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 student's clinical experience; and no more than five students for the next 16 hours of each student's clinical experience;

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 equipment and supplies are in functional condition and sufficient in number for each enrolled student to practice required skills in subsection (D)(3) and (D)(4). At a minimum, 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 provide 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 lifespan,

f. Dosage calculation,

g. Medication safety,

h. Asepsis, and

i. Documentation.

3. Medication properties, uses, adverse effects, administration and care implications for the following types of medications:
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 medications.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arizona may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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