provide proof of successful completion of a Department-approved medication aide training program defined in sections 3.4—3.9 herein.
What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Medication Aide?
A medication aide in Rhode Island can perform only those tasks and duties for which he/she has been trained and in which there is documentation of proficiency, as determined by the supervising licensed nurse, but in no case shall ever exceed what is permitted by regulation, law, scope of practice, or as set forth in Appendix III herein.
have been employed as a medication aide in a Rhode Island-licensed nursing facility licensed under the provisions of Chapter 23-17 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended; an assisted living residence licensed under the provisions of Chapter 23-17.4 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended; or an adult day services program licensed under the provisions of Chapter 42-66 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended.
Medication aide who allows his/her registration to lapse for a period of two (2) years or longer will be required to successfully complete the medication aide training program, and all required examinations, prior to being reinstated as a medication aide.
For those medication aide who allows his/her registration to lapse for less than two (2) years by failing to renew it, may be reinstated by the Department upon submission of an application and payment of the renewal fee as set forth in the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health unless the registration has been suspended or revoked.
Beginning with the 1 July 2010 renewal period, every medication aide that is seeking renewal of a license under the provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations herein must provide satisfactory evidence to the Department that in the preceding two (2) years the licensee has completed four (4) required continuing education hours as established in this section.
Rhode Island continuing education hours related to medication administration will be accepted by the Board for course work that has been presented, accepted, or approved by recognized professional nursing organizations, schools of pharmacy, health care facilities, employing organizations, or other professional, labor organization, or accrediting agency as may be approved by the Board.
At the time of your license renewal, each medication aide will be required to sign a statement attesting to the completion of the above continuing education requirements.
It is the sole responsibility of the individual medication aide to obtain documentation (e.g., course descriptions, proof of attendance) from the sponsoring organization, agency, or institution of his/her participation in a continuing education program and/or activity. These documents must be retained by each licensee for no less than four (4) years and are subject to random audit by the Department.
Failure to produce satisfactory documentation of completion of the requirements of this section, upon request by the Board, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under the provisions of the Act.
Below we have listed the following accredited facilities offer medication aide classes. For more details on these programs, please contact them directly.