www.c isco.edu

CISCO COLLEGE Abilene Campus 717 E. Industrial Blvd. Abilene, TX 79602 (325) 794-4400 Fax (325) 692-2530

Publication funded by the Carl T. Perkins Vocational and Technical Act of 1998.

CERTIFIED MEDICATION AIDE- CMA HEALTH SCIENCE EDUCA TION A certified medication aide is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) that has completed additional classroom training to be certified to dispense medications to patients while working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Training is usually 3-5 months, and includes hours of supervised clinical practice. A certified medication aide must hold a high school diploma or GED, in addition to state CNA certification. The ideal certified medication aide is very detail-oriented, orga-nized, and self-motivated. Certified medication aides must be people-oriented, as they generally work with the geriatric popu-lation, in nursing homes, retirement communities, assisted-living facilities, and home health settings. The hours can vary, and include nights, weekends, and holidays. Both full-time and part-time positions are available for certified medication aides. Generally work schedules are flexible, and can range from 4 to 12 hour days. Opportunities for overtime are plentiful. Certified medication aides, as members of the healthcare field, are fre-quently in demand and are afforded an above-average salary based on experience. Tasks:

Assist with direct patient care under the supervision of the RN or other medical professionals.

Follow written and/or oral instructions to administer medica-tions and document dosages and times.

Monitor patients and report changes in condition or vital signs.

Work Environment:

Working conditions are generally favorable. Work is indoors, but may require frequent standing and heavy lifting. Typical settings for a CMA job:

Nursing facilities

Intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectu-al disability or related conditions

Correctional institutions

Assisted living (personal care) facilities

Salary Data:

National median wage: $20,360-$32,340 (BLS.gov 2017)

Application to Cisco College Procedure:

Complete the Cisco College Admission Application. STEPS:

1. Go online to www.cisco.edu 2. Select ADMISSIONS. 3. Fill out all information.

Have all official transcripts/GED sent to Cisco College Admissions Office.

Delivery: 12 Week Intensive Study Start: Fall, Spring, Summer Location: Abilene

Application to Program Procedure: Must be employed as a Certified Nurse Aide in a licensed long term care facility or employed as a non-licensed direct care staff

in a licensed personal home, state, assisted living facility, Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Developmental Disabil-ities (ICF/MR) or correctional facility. Employment in this capacity for at least 90 days is also required. Employment with a hospital, home health agency or staffing agency does not qualify.

Complete a CMA Application Packet for program enrollment. (Available for pick up or online.) Pay the $1,300 program tuition fee no later that 10 days prior to first class date. Textbook is included in the tuition fee.

(Financial aid cannot be used for this program.) Provide an original Social Security card for review. Provide a government issued photo ID. (First and last name should be identical to Social Security card.) Participate in student advisement or attend an information session. Pass a Background Check. $25 non-refundable fee (cashier’s check or money order) to process. Certain convictions may result

in denial to program and/or restrict employment in the healthcare field. (No felony convictions.)

Complete a 10 panel drug screen with Any Lab Test Now.

Satisfy healthcare agency requirements by providing a copy of your immunization record showing proof (titer, immunization, or physician’s documentation of illness) for a negative Tuberculin skin test and the following immunizations:

Annual Flu Vaccine

Hepatitis B- series of 3 (takes up to 6 months to complete)

Negative Tuberculin skin test (within the last 12 months)

Mumps Measles Rubella- x2

Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (TDAP)

Varicella-x2 *unless you have had chicken pox

Meningococcal (all students under the age of 22 yrs.; within the last 5 years)

Free of communicable diseases

Selection criteria are as follows: All application procedures completed in a timely manner.

Maximum enrollment is 15 students.

Must be at least 18 yrs. of age.

Prospective students should remember that acceptance by Cisco College does not guarantee admission into specific occupational programs.

Certified Medication Aide training runs 12 weeks with classes on Monday-Thursday evenings.

New sessions starting approximately every 14 weeks.

This 140-hour course includes lecture and clinical components. It prepares students to take the State of Texas examination to become a Certified Medication Aide

by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

*Note: Students must pay the certification exam fee when they schedule their testing date.