Requirement for Capable Personnel: The Medication Technician - Essay Example

The Medication Technician Introduction In hospitals and healthcare settings, there is a high requirement for capable personnel who can distribute andadminister medications to patients. Such personnel are required in hospitals, nursing facilities, correctional institutions, living homes, clinics and other similar healthcare institutions. In order to meet this demand, a whole new job role has emerged – that of a medication technician or medication aide. In order to a medication technician, a short training course along with a test certification is mandatory according to state laws (French and Fordney, 2012). Medication technicians are also referred to as medication aides, medication assistants, certified residential care medication aide, medication assistive person, registered medication aide, medication aide credentialed, qualified medication aide, etc. The duties of medication aides are determined according to the medical practice act of every state. It is not required for medical assistants working under the direct supervision of a physician to become a medication technician in order to be able to administer medication. Functions of a Medication Technician A medication technician is involved in distributing and administering medications to patients. They usually work under doctoral supervision. They assist patients in consuming medications topically, orally or intravenously. They are required to follow strict medical protocol and administer correct dosages in the right manner. They are also required to supervise patients to make sure that no adverse reactions are occurring. The complete medication history and medication records of patients have to be maintained by medication technicians for each medication that has been administered (Durgin and Hanan, 2004). A medication technician is required to know the proper methodology of administering all kinds of medications, whether they are administered topically, orally, intravenously, vaginally, rectally or transdermally. They should also possess knowledge on medication administration through nebulizers, inhalers and tubes. Basic Requirements Medication technicians administering medications to patients should be free of communicable infections such as sore throat, cold or open lesions (Durgin and Hanan, 2004). This requirement is of importance, both for the drug administrator and the patient. Patients are often susceptible to acquiring nosocomial infections as they are week and because their immune system could be compromised because of radiation therapy, surgery and other such procedures in addition to other reasons such as disease, malnutrition or ageing. Administrators of drugs who are in poor health or are exhausted are more likely to commit errors in medication administration, unlike those who are alert, attentive and in good health. Moreover, drug administrators are more susceptible to acquiring infections from patients if they are in poor health. As medication technicians are involved in direct care of patients and drug administration, they are required to maintain their health through healthy living habits, diet and exercise. If afflicted with an upper respiratory infection or other communicable diseases, medication technicians should inform their supervisors so arrangements can be made to avoid tasks that involve direct patient care until they are back in good health. Medication technicians should also possess knowledge in using appropriate protective devices during medication administration to avoid disease transmission, especially blood borne. In case of isolated patients with infectious diseases, hospital policies on protection are needed to be followed by the medication technician. Medication technicians are also required to be aware of basic safety protocols, aseptic techniques and hospital protocols concerning safety measures, for both healthcare personnel and patients. Difference between Medication Aide and Medication Technician – Historical Development The terms ‘medication technician’ and ‘medication aide’ are often used interchangeably. However, there are some basic differences between the two. The role of a ‘medication assistant’ was created when the Health Occupations Article Title 8-6A-01 et. seq. law was passed in 1998 that required the certification of nursing assistants (Maryland Board of Nursing, 2008). The definition of a medication assistant was given as “an individual who completes a Board approved 16 hour Medication Administration Training Program” (Maryland Board of Nursing, 2008). Medication assistants were required by law to be registered with the Board of Nursing. Upon registration, they could administer certain medications to patients in selected community settings under two circumstances – when delegated to do so by a registered nurse, and when the administration was done under the direct supervision, instruction and evaluation of a registered nurse. Medication assistants could function in certain settings such as a Developmental Disabilities alternative living unit, assisted living institution, schools, and residential placement programs of the Department of Juvenile Service. To be eligible for the Medication Assistant Training Program approved by the board, an individual was required to be employed in a healthcare setting and a recommendation from his/her employer was required. Nursing Assistant Certification was not mandatory for becoming a medication assistant. After the passing of a new legislation SB405 in 2004, medication assistants were certified under a new title, that of the ‘Medication Technician’. This legislation also laid down the minimum age limit for working as a medication technician and the hours of training were increased to 20 hours from the previous 16 hours. Disciplinary action to be taken against medication technicians in case of faults was also defined by this legislation. Certified medication technicians are different from certified medication aides. The Certified Medicine Aide (CMA) job role has existed since 1970s and regulated under the COMAR 10.07.02. To be able to work as a medication aide, the individual should hold an active CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification. Medication aides carry out medication administration and nursing functions under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The functions, responsibilities and requirements are different for both medication aides and medication technicians. Therefore, these are two separate professional entities. However, in most states, Medication Technicians and Medication aides are brought under a single role. Responsibilities of a Medication Technician The role of a medication technician (MT) is that of extremely high responsibility. A medication technician should be able to appreciate the inherent responsibility of his role in a healthcare setting. In addition, an MT should also be knowledgeable about the roles and responsibilities of the other members of his health team, especially in concern with the communication involved with drug administration. He should give high priority to care of patients and should treat each one of them with professional concern and dignity (Durgin and Hanan, 2004). He should treat patients well regardless of their mental or physical impairment, cultural background, race, lifestyle orientation or religious beliefs. He should be thorough in procedures and policies that dictate medical protocol in hospitals. He should also know the pharmacist, physician and nurse to whom he reports directly. He is also required to report any unusual changes, be they emotional or physical, noted at the time of medication rounds to the nurse in charge. He is also required to maintain professional confidentiality about the patients in his care. MTs need to report to work in professional attire with their identification badge held in place. The prime responsibility of an MT is to administer daily medications to patients. They are also required to observe patients closely to report any adverse drug effects. They monitor the vital signs of patients, calculate the medication dosages and record the medication history and progress of patients. Before administering drugs to patients, medication technicians should be aware of the general uses and indications of the drug, the dosage range and usual dose of the drug, special precautions to be taken for each drug, side effects that may occur upon drug administration, foods or drugs that cannot be given along with a specific drug and the time when onset of drug action is expected (Durgin and Hanan, 2004). The roles and responsibilities of MTs have been explicitly stated out according to state laws. The responsibility of an MT is to assist a licensed nurse in providing ethical and safe care to patients (by administering prescribed medications and completing other nursing tasks that are allowed by state law. Some of the main responsibilities of an MT are (Whitenton and Walker, 2013) – An MT functions as a member of a healthcare team; he carries out tasks associated with nursing assistance; he assists nurses in providing care to patients that also includes observing and reporting the needs of the patient; recognizes and performs tasks as per his level of training and education; accept accountability and responsibility of his own performance as per the regulations and state laws governing his role; carries out his tasks in a caring, ethical and legal manner; informs supervisors about changes in the status of a patient; creates documents as per the standard policies; carries out his tasks safely to ensure comfort and welfare of patients; respects the rights of patients; protects the confidential information of his patients unless otherwise required for the welfare and safety of the patient; follows all the state and federal regulations for the protection of his own and others’ health; and takes guidance from nurse as and when need in order to carry out his tasks efficiently and safely. The job duties and responsibilities of an MT include the administration of scheduled drugs under direct supervision of a licensed nurse or without the supervision if allowed under a state law; giving the PRN medications as needed; carrying out tasks that are associated with administration of medication, such as checking vital signs, monitoring glucose, measuring weight and height, and observing patients; recording the administration of medication as per the procedure of the agency; reporting patient status changes in response to drug therapy; reporting any events that may be life-threatening to ensure the safety of himself, the patient and others; and reporting errors in medication administration and drugs and filling out the appropriate forms (Whitenton and Walker, 2013). MTs do have some role limitations that are legally binding. For instance, they cannot give the first dose of a medication that is newly ordered, they are not given medications that require conversion of dosage from one measurement method to another, they are not required to give medications in case of nurse unavailability for monitoring the effects of the medications on patients, they are not given the liberty to take their own decisions that may include the withholding of a medication, they cannot be delegated with functions that involve the regulation of IV fluids, programming of insulin or IV pumps and the administration of drugs to unstable patients, and they are also not required to administer medications nasogastrically, parenterally, through jejunostomy or through gastrostomy (Whitenton and Walker, 2013). The limitations however vary regionally and as per state laws applicable. MTs need to be knowledgeable about basic pharmacology and the principles of medication administration. Their clinical competencies include – knowing the five rights of medication administration, understanding when to accept a delegation for administration of a medication and when to decline it, documenting the administration of a medication accurately, and notifying the nurse in charge about the patient’s condition (Cima, 2011). History of Medications and Medication Administration Principles of Medication Administration Different Routes of medication administrations Drugs AFFECTING THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM 250 . DRUGS AFFECTING THE URINARY SYSTEM 250 DRUGS AFFECTING THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 250 DRUGS AFFECTING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, VITAMINS, AND MINERALS 250 . DRUGS AFFECTING THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 250 AFFECTING THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM 250. DRUGS AFFECTING THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM 250 . ANTIBIOTICS AND OTHER ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS 250. DRUGS AFFECTING THE EYE. 250............... DRUGS AFFECTING THE EAR. . 250.................. Read More