HeartCert CPR Twin Cities MN

American Heart and Red Cross CPR Training

healthcare professionals

Your Path to Becoming a Trained Medication Aide

by

Working as a trained medication aide can be one of the most fulfilling careers you can have in the healthcare industry. If you’re on the path to becoming a TMA, there are specific courses, prerequisites, and certain steps to take to get you there faster. Keep reading to learn what a TMA is, explore the benefits, and discover what’s needed to get certified in Minnesota.

group of medical students studying together sitting at a large table

What is a Trained Medication Aide?

A trained medication aide (TMA), or medication assistant, is a certified professional who is authorized to administer medications to patients. Working under a licensed nurse, TMAs take care of preparing, distributing, and documenting medication and its administration. Often working in nursing homes, assisted living homes, group homes, hospitals, and other healthcare settings, they are well-versed in the intricacies of medicating patients.

A day in the life of a TMA often includes:

  • Alleviating pain and promoting health
  • Administering medication
  • Documenting medication times, doses, and dates
  • Monitoring patients and reporting as needed
  • Communicating with other healthcare staff

Read More: What Is Trained Medication Administration and Why It Matters

Benefits of Being a TMA

Working as a trained medication aide means that you get to join a career where you help people and make a difference in their lives. There are even more benefits that you can experience as a TMA, including:

  • Great work-life balance
  • Higher earnings compared to standard CNAs
  • Career advancement opportunities
  • Greater job satisfaction
  • More flexible job scheduling

There are quite a few benefits to becoming a trained medication aide in both your career and in regards to helping others.

Young TMA caregiver helping senior woman take medication in kitchen

What Does the TMA Course Include?

To become a trained medication aide, our TMA course at HeartCert is a hybrid class program that includes:

  • 48 hours of online instruction
  • Time needed for independent study
  • In-person lab days once a week
  • In-person final testing
  • One included retest, retraining, or remediation if needed

How to Become a Trained Medication Aide

Now that you have a better understanding of the role of a TMA, you may want to know your path to becoming a trained medication aide. To become a TMA in Minnesota, there are a few prerequisites and training requirements needed before taking the final exam and getting certified. Here’s how to become a trained medication aide in Minnesota.

1. Meet TMA Prerequisites

Before signing up for trained medication administration, there are a few prerequisites you need to have first. To enroll and go on your way to becoming a certified medication aide, you must match these TMA requirements:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Has a high school diploma or GED
  • CNA-certified

With these prerequisites in place, you’ll already be qualified for the TMA training program when you sign up.

If you need to get your CNA certification, we offer hybrid programs around the Twin Cities. You can also add our Trained Medication Administration (TMA) class when you register.

Get Your CNA License in Less Than a Month

2. Enroll in a Training Program

To enroll in a TMA training program, you need to make sure to sign up early, before the classroom enrollment fills up. You can often find training programs in your local area. Most students enroll a month or more in advance to ensure they get in the class.

If you live in Minnesota, HeartCert offers a variety of classroom locations, days, and times throughout the year to make it more accessible for registrants.

Register and Save Your Seat Today

3. Complete TMA Training

Once enrolled, you’ll be able to attend and finish your virtual and in-person training in under two weeks. HeartCert makes it easy to attend classes with a hybrid learning style. With a couple of in-person labs and the rest accomplished virtually, it’s easier than you think to finish your training.

During the average trained medication aide class, you’ll expect to learn:

  • Knowledge of how medications work in the body
  • Legal requirements and ethical considerations 
  • Basic patient care and safety protocols
  • Patient observations after medicating

With this new knowledge, you’ll have a better understanding of how medications work in a clinical setting. Once you pass your exam, you’ll be on your way to utilizing these skills and helping others.

4. Pass the Certification Exam

With your course finished, the only thing you have left to do before getting your certification is to take the exam.

The TMA training exam tests knowledge around medication and administration, pharmacology basics, patient rights, just to name a few. The exam consists of multiple choice questions, written portions, and a skills demonstration that covers.

Once you pass the exam, you become a certified trained medication aide. The next step is finding an open position if you’re not already hired somewhere as a CNA. With the new certification, you can unlock more work opportunities, higher pay, and more flexibility with your work schedule. 

5. Keep Your Certification Up-to-Date

As with any certification, your TMA license can expire if it’s not kept up to date. Some expire after a couple of years, while others expire after 5 years. However, it’s important to take refresher courses to stay on top of new knowledge and ensure your expertise evolves with the changing industry.

In Minnesota, your certification doesn’t technically expire, but you do need to keep your CNA certification up to date. If it lapses, you may have to take the full course and test over again.

Get TMA-Certified with HeartCert Training

Your path to becoming a trained medication aide can be as easy as taking a two-week course and taking your exam. With HeartCert’s hybrid classroom approach, you’ll be able to get the knowledge for the role without spending every moment in person. If you’re ready to sign up and see what upcoming classes are available, check out our classroom training options while we still have availability.

Register Today Before Spots Fill Up

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, TMA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

 

What Is Trained Medication Administration and Why It Matters

by

Trained Medication Administration (TMA) is a key part of making sure people get their medications safely and effectively. In this article, we’ll share what TMA is all about and why it’s so important for those in the healthcare industry and the patients they serve.

nursing assistant with trained medication administration providing senior with prescription

Understanding Trained Medication Administration (TMA)

What is Trained Medication Administration (TMA)?

TMA stands for Trained Medication Administration or Trained Medication Aide. A TMA is a healthcare professional who is specifically trained to assist with medication administration in a variety of care settings. This role is essential to ensure that patients receive their prescribed medications safely and correctly.

Who typically provides TMA?graphic icon of pills by pill bottle

TMA services are typically provided by trained personnel such as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), medical assistants, and direct care staff working in assisted living facilities. These individuals take specialized training to prepare them for the responsibilities of medication management and administration.

If you’re not a CNA yet but want to get there, explore our CNA training programs to take the next step.

What’s the Difference Between TMA and Other Healthcare Roles?

The primary difference between a TMA and other healthcare roles is the focus on medication administration. While healthcare professionals such as CNAs and nursing assistants may be involved in providing personal care and support to patients, a TMA has acquired additional specific training that allows them to handle medications. Other healthcare roles, like registered nurses or pharmacists, have more extensive training and broader responsibilities in healthcare that include comprehensive patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

Why Trained Medication Administration Is Important

Healthcare professionals who are trained for medication administration are able to provide additional care to their patients and teams. 

This includes:

Improved Quality of Care

Trained Medication Administration training ensures medical workers and nursing assistants know the skills needed for accurate and consistent medication delivery.

Patient Safety

Proper training reduces the chance of errors and ensures correct dosage/timing.

Support for Healthcare Teams

When nursing assistants and CNAs are equipped with the skillset to provide medication administration to patients, it supports the whole healthcare team by freeing up registered nurses to focus on higher-level tasks.

Regulatory Compliance

And the final reason, TMA is important, but one of the most important is adhering to state guidelines and medical facility requirements. 

Who Needs TMA Training?

young nursing assistant in blue scrubs holding a tablet while standing in a hallway

Are you still wondering if you are a good candidate for TMA training? Here are several types of medical workers who benefit from trained medication administration certification.

  • CNAs looking to expand their skills
  • Direct support professionals in group homes or assisted living
  • Caregivers in long-term care facilities
  • Healthcare staff required by their employer to be TMA certified

What You’ll Learn in a TMA Training Program

As the name suggests, TMA training involves learning proper medication administration techniques, but it’s a lot more than that. In the course, you will learn about body systems and medications for each, as well as the administration of non-parenteral medication. You will learn about proper documentation and reporting procedures. You’ll also learn about legal and ethical issues related to medication administration and safety protocols to avoid potential errors. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of how to identify side effects and when to report any issues that arise.

Benefits of Completing TMA Training

One of the main benefits of completing Trained Medication Administration (TMA) training is the opportunity to take on more responsibilities in the workplace. This can lead to career advancement and increased employment options for medical professionals who acquire this enhanced skillset, as some employers may even require TMA certification for job candidates. Not only that, but having TMA certification gives medical professionals, such as nursing assistants, greater confidence in their ability to provide quality patient care.

Get Started With HeartCert’s TMA Training

At HeartCert, we know how busy life can be! That’s why our TMA training programs are designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule. Our comprehensive hybrid format Trained Medication Administration training combines engaging online classes with hands-on lab days, so you get all the information and hands-on skills you need to succeed in your new role. Our TMA curriculum is Minnesota State-approved, and our knowledgeable instructors are here to support you every step of the way. 

Explore our class options today, and we’ll help you gain the skills and experience you need to take your healthcare career to the next level.

Get Started

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.