Medication Aide (CMA)

Prerequisites: 

To enroll in the Certified Medication Aide (CMA) course, students must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have completed at least 480 hours of work experience at their healthcare facility
• Work in an eligible setting, such as:
  • Long-Term Care (LTC)
  • Assisted Living (AL)
  • Supported Living Community (SLC)
• Have an RN at their facility agree to supervise the required 20 practicum hours
• Have the Director of Nursing complete the Facility Support Form before beginning the certification process

The tuition and books for CMA training, essential for those pursuing healthcare education as a Medication Aide, amount to $725, which can be covered by the facility or the student.

Not eligible to take this CMA training course. Must be an employee of the nursing facility, assisted living, or supportive living community to ensure a solid foundation in healthcare education as a Medication Aide.

Students must complete both their classroom sessions and online coursework as part of their CMA training before beginning their practicum or clinical hours with an RN preceptor. The class spans 4 weeks, meeting twice per week at our West Des Moines Training Center.

In addition to classroom instruction, the online coursework includes written assignments for each chapter and quizzes for every unit, aimed at enhancing their healthcare education. Proficiency in using computers, typing, and independently uploading documents is necessary for success in this course.

Once the classroom and online components are finished, students will complete a minimum of 20 practicum hours at their facility, gaining practical experience relevant to their future roles as a Medication Aide. To successfully complete the program, students must also achieve a score of at least 80% on a proctored certification exam at the training center.