Medication Aides, Assistants, Technicians
More than half the states have recognized the role of medication assistant / aide / technician (hereafter referred to as MA) in statute and /or regulation in at least one setting, often excluding some categories of medications and routes. Some health care administrators, legislators and regulators believe this is one way to respond to a nursing shortage. Long term care administrators have argued this approach is a way to avoid regulatory penalties when medications are not administered in a timely fashion; supported by the belief that MAs will not be interrupted during the medication pass as nurses are and that the burden is being lifted from nurses. However, there is a great deal of variation between states as to the agency with oversight as well as the required training and who may train. Adding to quandary are settings either unregulated or loosely regulated in which employers have created MA positions, without authority by the state.
What do we know about medication administration? What has been the impact of the use of MAs? What is the role for Registered Nurses To learn more click here.
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Medication Aide/Technician Categories by State
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ANA's Essential Principles for Utilization of Community Paramedics
Over the past decade, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has piloted a new role, most often referred to as the Community Paramedic (CP). This expanded role builds on the skills and preparation of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic, with the intention of fulfilling the health care needs of those populations with limited access to primary care services. Cuts in public health and community services funding have decimated programs, leaving unmet health needs. In many cases, CPs are filling a gap in services that had been performed by public health and visiting nurses.ANA's Essential Principles for Utilization of Community Paramedics provides overarching standards and strategies for the Registered Nurse and the Community Paramedic to apply when cooperating in various settings and across the continuum of care. This document seeks to promote a common understanding of the Community Paramedic role and clarification of Registered Nurses' expectations of cooperation with this new role.
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Registered Nurses Utilization of Nursing Assistive Personnel in All Settings
ANA Position Statement - Approved 7/13/07
The American Nurses Association (ANA) reaffirms its belief that the utilization of nursing assistive personnel (NAP) in the provision of specific aspects of direct and indirect patient care, as the result of delegation and direction by a registered nurse (RN) in accordance with state nurse practice acts, is an appropriate, safe, and resource-efficient method of providing nursing care.