Nursing assistants in Alabama now can administer medication to assisted living residents if they complete new certification adopted by Alabama lawmakers last fall and rolled out late last year. The program aims to lighten the load of nurses during the pandemic.
Medication aides can be trained through the Alabama Community College System or a comparable program in another state to work in assisted living and nursing facilities, correctional institutions and other congregate care settings.
The three-week, 100-hour course focuses on knowledge and safety of medication administration. It includes 60 hours of classroom and lab instruction as well as 40 clinical hours working with a nurse.
Following training, candidates must complete the medication assistant certification exam and then apply to the Alabama Board of Nursing for certification through the National Council of State Board of Nursing.
The ACCS consists of 24 community and technical colleges throughout the state.
