Find out what training and certification is required to become a certified medication technician.
Nurses have a lot on their plates, and often the job of administering medication is delegated to staff members called medication technicians.
Medication technicians are often certified nursing assistants, but the requirements vary by state. Below, we've broken down what medication technicians do and how to become one.
What is a Certified Medication Technician?
Medication technicians are medical personnel who administer medication under the guidance of medical professionals such as registered nurses.
Job duties of a medication technician may include:
- administering the correct dosage of the right medications
- documenting medication doses and side effects in patient charts
- monitoring patients for adverse reactions to medications
- preparing doses of medication
- using specialized equipment to administer medication
- watching for physical and emotional changes in patients who have started a new medication
Medication technicians may work in hospital settings as well as long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or residential care facilities.
A certified medication technician (CMT) is a medical technician who has obtained certification. Many states require medication technicians to be certified before they can work.
Some places will use the terms 'medication technician' and 'medication aide' interchangeably. However, sometimes 'medication aide' is used for more entry-level staff that focus on administrative work.
<h2 id="section---HowToBecomeACertifiedMedicationTechnicianStepByStep">How to Become a Certified Medication Technician: Step by Step</h2><p>Below, we'll explain how you can become a certified medication technician.
</p><h3 id="section---Step1TakeACertifiedNursingAssistantTrainingProgram">Step 1: Take a Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program</h3><p>In most states, certified medication technicians are certified nursing assistants (CNA) with additional qualifications.
</p><p>This means you'll need to become a certified nursing assistant before you can become a certified medication technician.
</p><p>As with becoming a CMT, the requirements for becoming a CNA vary by state, and you'll need to check your state's requirements to learn how to become a CNA.
</p><p>Typically, you must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and then complete a CNA training program.
</p><p>You can find <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Nursing_Assistant_FAQs.html">CNA training programs</a> through community colleges and trade schools and even through some medical facilities.
</p><p>Be sure to choose a program that has been approved by your state's nursing board and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Association (NLN¨CCNEA).
</p><p>You can find a directory of NLN¨CCNEA-accredited programs at cnea.nln.org.
</p><p>These programs usually take a few months and require both classroom courses and clinical practice experience.
</p><p>Depending on your program, you may need to complete additional hours of in-person clinical training before you are eligible to take the exam and become certified.
</p><h3 id="section---Step2BecomeACertifiedNursingAssistant">Step 2: Become a Certified Nursing Assistant</h3><p>To become a certified nursing assistant, you'll need to pass a CNA certification exam. The exam you take will depend on your state.
</p><p>Several states use the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. The exam consists of two parts: a written or oral portion and a skills demonstration portion.
</p><p>The first portion is typically made up of multiple-choice questions and takes about 90 minutes. You can choose if you'd rather answer these questions in an oral or written format.
</p><p>The second part is 30 minutes. You'll sit one-on-one with a test proctor and be tested on four randomly selected clinical skills.
</p><p><b>The states that use the NNAAP exam currently include:</b>
</p><ul><li>Alabama
</li><li>Alaska
</li><li>California
</li><li>Colorado
</li><li>Georgia
</li><li>Maryland
</li><li>Mississippi
</li><li>North Carolina
</li><li>Pennsylvania
</li><li>Rhode Island
</li><li>South Carolina
</li><li>Virginia
</li><li>Washington
</li><li>Washington, D.C.
</li></ul><p>All other states have their own CNA exams. Depending on your state, there may be additional requirements you need to meet to become a CNA, so check with your state's nursing board.
</p><h3 id="section---Step3EarnYourMedicationTechnicianCertification">Step 3: Earn your Medication Technician Certification</h3><p>Once you've earned your certified nursing assistant certification or license, you may be eligible to earn your medication technician certification.
</p><p>Requirements vary by state. Many states require that you've worked as a CNA for a certain amount of time before training to become a CMT.
</p><p>You'll need to find a state-offered medication aide or technologist training program. These are often offered through community and technical colleges.
</p><p>These programs can vary in length depending on your state. You will likely be required to complete a certain number of clinic hours outside of the scheduled courses.
</p><p>Some states simply require you to complete a training program, while others require you to pass a certification exam.
</p><h3 id="section---Step4ObtainAdditionalTrainingOrCertification">Step 4: Obtain Additional Training or Certification</h3><p>In most states, you will periodically need to renew your medication technician certification. To do so, you may be required to take an exam or take a certain number of continuing education credits.
</p><p>Additionally, some employers may require you to have certain life-saving skills certifications, such as basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
</p><p>To further your career, you may consider obtaining additional training or certification.
</p><p>For example, you can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Licensed_Vocational_Nurse_Salary_and_Career_FAQs.html">licensed vocational nurse (LVN)</a>. You'll need to complete a state-approved program. These usually take about a year.
</p><p>After completing your education program, you'll need to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX¨CPN).
</p><p>While being an LPN or LVN isn't required, it may increase your chances of landing a job as a certified medication technician and of earning a higher salary.
</p><h2 id="section---BecomeACertifiedMedicationTechnician">Become a Certified Medication Technician</h2><p>While the requirements to become a certified medication technician depend on your state, you will likely have to first become a certified nursing assistant and then train to become a certified medication technician.</p>
