Medication Aide Program in Houston, TX
The Medication Aide program is a comprehensive course designed to teach students the skills and abilities essential to the administration of medications to patients and residents in the home and long term care facilities. Graduates of this program will be able to communicate effectively the actions and side effects of medications when administering medication to residents. They will learn how to safely identify a resident before administering medications, monitor for adverse drug reactions and follow infection control measures.
Additionally they will be able to apply proper body mechanics when administering medications. Graduates of this program may find entry-level employment as a medication aide with nursing homes or a home health agency. This course is at least 60 days in length and not more than 180 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
- You must be 18 years of age. You must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
- Enrollment into the medication aide course requires the student NOT be listed on the nurse aide registry, medication aide registry, AND employee misconduct registry and have NOT been convicted of a criminal offense listed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 250 which can be located with Texas Department and Disability and Aging.
- You must work in a facility as a certified nurse aide or unlicensed direct care staff person on the first official day of your medication aide training and have been employed in a facility for 90 days as an unlicensed direct care staff person during the past 12 months.
- An applicant who worked as a nurse aide in a Medicare skilled nursing facility or a Medicaid nursing facility is exempt from the 90-day requirement.
*The minimum time required to complete this program is 60 days for day and for evening students. Each student is responsible for finding his/her own transportation to the clinical site.
MA 101 Introduction, Orientation and Basic Concepts
This subject introduces the students to the medication aide role in a health care or home setting. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the medication aide (a) the role of the medication aide in a long term care facility or home setting, (b) reasons for administering medications, (c) drug legislation and (d) side effects of medications. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 102 Administration of Medications
This subject introduces the students to the process of administering medications in a health care or home setting. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the medication aide (a) how medications are supplies in a long term care facility or home setting, (b) how medications should be labeled, (c) medication errors and (d) documentation of medications. This subject is 8hours of lecture and 10 hours of lab. There are no prerequisites.
MA 103 Drugs Affecting the Cardiovascular System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the cardiovascular system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the cardiovascular system (a) the cardiovascular structure and function, (b) drugs used to treat congestive heart failure, (c) to identify the action and side effects of anti-arrhythmic drugs and (d) to identify the action and side effects of anticoagulants. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 104 Drugs Affecting the Urinary System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the urinary system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the urinary system (a) the urinary structure and function, (b) drugs used to treat fluid retention, (c) to identify the action and side effects of potassium replacement drugs and (d) to identify the action and side effects of urinary anti-infective drugs. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 105 Drugs Affecting the Respiratory System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the respiratory system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the respiratory system (a) the respiratory structure and function, (b) administering oxygen, (c) the use of anti-tubercular drugs and (d) drugs used to treat respiratory infections. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 106 Drugs Affecting the Digestive System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the digestive system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the digestive system (a) the digestive structure and function, (b) drugs affecting the digestive system, (c) drugs which promote defecation and (d) the role of vitamins and minerals with the digestive system. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 107 Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the central nervous system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the central nervous system (a) the central nervous system structure and function, (b) drugs used as central nervous system stimulants, (c) drugs used as central nervous system depressants and (d) to identify the action and side effects of psychoactive medications. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 108 Drugs Affecting the Musculoskeletal System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the musculoskeletal system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the musculoskeletal system (a) the musculoskeletal structure and function, (b) drugs used to treat musculoskeletal disorders, (c) to identify the action and side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs and (d) to identify the action and side effects of musculoskeletal relaxants. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 109 Drugs Affecting the Endocrine System
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the endocrine system. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the endocrine system (a) drugs used to replace the thyroid hormone, (b) drugs used to treat diabetes, (c) to identify the action and side effects of sex hormones drugs and (d) to identify the action and side effects of steroids. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 110 Antibiotics and Other Anti-Infective Agents
This subject introduces the students to the nature of infections. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe how infections are transmitted and the method to wash his or her hands. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe topical anti-infective agents and systemic anti-infective drugs. This subject is 8 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 111 Drugs Affecting the Eye
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the eye. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the eye: (a) the eye structure and function, (b) drugs used to treat glaucoma, (c) drugs used to treat eye infections and (d) ophthalmic drugs for cataracts. This subject is 6 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab. There are no prerequisites.
MA 112 Drugs Affecting the Ear
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the ear. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the ear (a) the ear structure and function, (b) drugs used to treat ear disorders, (c) to identify the action and side effects of antibiotics used to treat ear infections and (d) to identify changes in the ear that are associated with aging. This subject is 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab. There are no prerequisites.
MA 113 Drugs Affecting the Skin
This subject introduces the students to drugs that affect the skin. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the skin (a) the skin structure and function, (b) drugs used to treat skin disorders and (c) the application of transdermal medications. This subject is 4 hours of lecture and 5 hours of lab. There are no prerequisites.
MA 114 Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Related Disorders
This subject introduces the students to drugs that treat patient with Alzheimer related disorders. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease (a) the history of Alzheimer’s disease, (b) the four phases of Alzheimer’s disease and (c) new treatments for mild to moderate dementia. This subject is 6 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 115 Immuno-Compromised Patients
This subject introduces the students to drugs that treat immune-compromised residents. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the following as it relates to the treatment of immune-comprised patients (a) the basic characteristics of immune-compromised residents, (b) universal precautions, (c) protective isolation and (d) drugs approved for the treatment of immune-compromised patients. This subject is 4 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 116 Pediatric Patients
This subject introduces the students to drugs that are given to pediatric patients. Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to describe the nutritional considerations for infants, implications for pediatric care and ways to administer pediatric medications. This subject is 4 hours of lecture and there are no prerequisites.
MA 117 Clinical Practice
The students are provided clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed nurse in a long term care facility administering medications to residents. This subject consists of 10 hours of clinical practice. The clinical practice will take place at your place of employment with written permission of the facility administrative staff. Successfully completing MA 1 – MA 16 is required before taking this subject.
A certificate of completion will be given with a satisfactory score of 70% on a written exam.