Medication Aide

Is Medication Aide Training the same as a Trained Medication Aide course?

Yes. We removed the word “Trained” in our course title for clarification purposes. This training fulfills the Minnesota State Statute requirements for a standardized medication administration training program for unlicensed personnel in nursing homes offered through a Minnesota postsecondary educational institution.

If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

Who should take the Medication Aide training?

This course is open to everyone who wants to learn more about how to safely administer medication.  

Most often, people take this course to satisfy the requirements needed to work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility in Minnesota. People also take the course for their own enrichment, to help them in another work-related role, like assisted living, or for guidance in caring for a family member that may need medications administered. 

If the course is being taken to fulfill a work requirement, it is recommended that a person works as a certified nursing assistant for six months before taking this course and be at least 18 years of age. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. 

Please note: To work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility, a person must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program.

The skilled nursing facility that employs the medication aide is responsible for documenting the completion of an approved nursing assistant training program and completion of the medication aide training. 

What are the prerequisites for taking this course?

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home.

To work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility, a person must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program. The skilled nursing facility that employs the medication aide is responsible for documenting the completion of an approved nursing assistant training program and completion of the medication aide training. 

If the course is being taken to fulfill a work requirement, it is also recommended that a person works as a certified nursing assistant for six months before taking this course and be at least 18 years of age. 

If someone is a trained medication aide in another state, do they have to take this class?

Yes, they must take this class if they want to use this class to meet the requirements to work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility in Minnesota. This is true even if someone was trained as a trained medication aide in another state. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. 

Can the Medication Aide test be challenged (like the Nursing Assistant Registry test)?

No, this is not like the nursing assistant registry test. The state statute requires that a person takes (and passes) the training that meets the state statute’s requirements. A challenge test is not an option.

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home.

Is there a test-out option for this course?   

No, there is not a test-out option in Minnesota, even if you have completed a similar training in another state or country. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. 

Is there a recertification for this course?

Taking and passing this course does not result in a certification, therefore there is no recertification. Upon successful completion, students earn a certificate of completion, which is different than a certification. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. 

How long is the course good for? Will I need to be recertified?

There is no expiration date on the certificate of completion. Once a person has taken the class, they don’t need to retake the class – unless, of course, they lose their certificate of completion which may be needed for work purposes. 

The skilled nursing facility that employs the medication aide is responsible for documenting the completion of an approved nursing assistant training program and completion of the medication aide training. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. 

Is the cost of the course reimbursable?

The cost of the course may be reimbursable.

DHS Nursing Facility Scholarship program

For participating nursing facilities, the cost of the course and books may be covered by the DHS Nursing Facility Scholarship program. Participating nursing facilities can claim the allowable costs and receive reimbursement. Certified nursing facilities that have questions about what is and isn’t reimbursable under this scholarship program should contact Munna Yasiri. Please check with your employer's HR department before enrolling in a course if you are seeking reimbursement for the training.

Dislocated worker or WIOA funds

The cost of the course may also be covered by dislocated worker or WIOA funds. Please contact your dislocated worker or WIOA career navigator to learn more.

Employer Reimbursement

Some employers may cover the cost for their employee’s training. Please contact the campus of your choice to learn more about third party payment options.