Author: vitawerks

Certified Medication Aides have valued members of any hospital team. As demand for CMAs increases, more HCPs are at least considering making the shift and finding jobs within this role.

This is easier said than done, however. Between all the options, as well as the competition, finding CMA jobs can be a surprisingly challenging endeavour, no matter how skilled or qualified you are.

For first-time job seekers or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) looking for a change of scenery, this guide is here to help. We will show you how to find CMA jobs in your area, how to give yourself an edge in job applications and more.

What is a CMA?

Chances are, you probably know what a CMA is if you are reading this article. On the off chance that you do not, here is a quick rundown.

Certified Medication Aides are responsible for administering medications, orally or topically, to patients in healthcare settings. In essence, they are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) with additional training and certifications. As a medication provider, you need to give medicines at the physician-prescribed times and dosages. If these instructions are not followed in the letter, the consequences could be unfortunate at best and fatal at worst. In addition, some medications need to be handled carefully, lest they suffer certain side effects. CMAs are also in charge of education. If patients can take medicines themselves, CMAs are there to remind them about how, when and how much to consume.

CMA work requires a certain amount of focus and attention to detail. They need to document every time a patient takes their medication, how much they took and when they took it. They are also expected to monitor changing patient conditions on a regular basis. If potential side effects or allergic reactions to medicines are found, then CMAs are responsible for reporting this to their supervisors, nurses, physicians, or doctors as soon as possible. They also need a level of communication and emotional intelligence. HCPs as a whole need to connect with their patients, relay medicine instructions and improve the quality of care in general. Additionally, this communication comes in handy when they collaborate with pharmacies to make sure the medical supplies are sufficiently stacked. Relatedly, audits must be performed to ensure that the supply is not expired and that everything is properly stocked.

How are the Outlook for CMA jobs?

CMA jobs are set to have a bright future. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), medical assistant roles will see a 16% rise between 2021 and 2031. This is considerably faster than average and means that around 117,800 new jobs will be produced within that time span.

Why are CMA roles rising so much? Between aging demographics and chronic patients in need of additional medical support and the anticipated turnover for CMAs (and health professionals in general), demand is set to spike while supply drops. As a result, hospitals en masse will be scrambling to make up for the deficit.

What is the salary for CMA jobs?

The process of becoming a CMA is relatively faster, compared to other nursing roles. In exchange, CMA jobs pay relatively less than many of their counterparts. The BLS census places the average medication aide salary at around $37,190 per year. For reference, the Registered Nurse salary sits at $77,600 within the same time span. Salaries can change depending on location, work experience, and additional certifications, but you have to keep this factor in mind.

Why become a CMA, in this case? The lower barrier to entry is appealing to individuals who want to work and gain experience in healthcare as soon as humanly possible. Additionally, you can eventually build yourself up for greater nursing roles in the future. Working as a CMA lets you earn money to save for your degree and accrue work experience that will look good on any application. If you have the bandwidth to balance work and study, this is a career path worth considering.

How can I land a CMA role?

You cannot expect a CMA role to land on your lap as soon as you graduate. As soon as possible, you want to work on making your applications and sending them to as many facilities as possible.

Whether you are a fresh graduate or a veteran CMA looking to land a new role, here are a couple of key strategies that will help you in your search.

Gain work experience whenever you can

Facilities prioritize CMA applicants with proven knowledge and an extensive background in the field. Employers commonly look for at least one year of CMA working experience. This may seem difficult for fresh graduates, but you will have your fair share of opportunities. While you are studying as a CMA, you can expect to carry out a set amount of clinical rotation hours. Capitalize on these opportunities, learn as much as you can from your supervisor, and do not be afraid to list these hours on your resume. Another way you can gain this experience is through the Vitawerks app. CMAs can pick up shifts from a variety of facilities in their area. Not only will you accrue more time on the job, you get to test the waters with different facilities with varying operations, principles, and values. This experience will help you figure out what you prioritize in your career path, over the long run.

Look through job listings online!

 Right now, most healthcare facilities advertise their job openings online. Full-time offers are commonly posted on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor while temporary shifts in your area can be booked when you sign up with VitaWerks. Things do not stop there either, as you might find job openings posted on your local hospital’s official website. What matters is that you are applying to as many facilities as possible. Cast as wide a net as possible, but do not skimp out on research as well. After all, you do not want to provide your sensitive information to a nefarious source. Lastly, do not settle for the first offer that is sent your way. Consider your options, do your research on the facility, and do not be afraid to reject it for whatever reason. You are in control of your career path.

Apply for additional certifications.

Optional certifications speak volumes, on a CMA resume. They prove that you took time to hone valuable clinical skills. On top of this, it shows your commitment to growing as a medication aide and providing the highest quality care that you possibly can. To this end, there are countless optional certifications that are available to you. First Aid Certification, Advanced Aid and CPR, and Basic Life Support are just a few pertinent examples. Pay attention to what is listed on job descriptions, as well. If certain certifications pop up regularly as either requirements or optional qualifications, look into taking those classes for yourself. Unlike your CMA certification, completing these courses should not take that long at all.

Network, network, network

There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of every resource available to you. While studying for your CMA or taking CNA shifts, you want to network with other HCPs as much as possible. There are countless benefits to a strong professional network, you can get alerted to CMA job opportunities as soon as they are open. If possible, your connection may refer or recommend you to a facility looking for quality CMA work. With a job network, you become a more visible asset to the healthcare community at large. As you are competing for CMA openings, these margins can make a huge difference in the long run.

Apply to VitaWerks for CMA shifts.

At VitaWerks, you can find CMA openings posted from the finest healthcare facilities in your state. We make it our priority to protect the HCPs we partner with and connect them with the best job opportunities available. Our nurse champions will ensure that you find rates well above the market average with hospitals that match your temperament, specializations, skills, and professional priorities. Compared to a lot of staffing agencies, the matchmaking process is extremely fast thanks to our matchmaking technology. Set your own hours and work as you please, to achieve the work-life balance you deserve. As we mentioned earlier, picking up shifts with VitaWerks is a great opportunity for you to gain CMA experience from a variety of different settings. Whether you work full-time or part-time, the choice is yours.

Certified Medication Aides are an integral part of any functioning hospital. With the way the industry is trending, these CMAs will only increase in demand as time goes on. 

You may know about the profession in a broad sense, but do you know the specific tasks assigned to medication assistants? Perhaps you are interested in becoming one yourself, but you do not know where to start. That different states have different CMA requirements complicates things further. 

 For anyone interested in making the transition to a CMA role, this guide will tell you everything you need to know. Below, we will go over med tech requirements, salaries, and the steps needed to gain certification, among other things.

What does a CMA do? 

The full scope of a medication aide’s authority greatly depends on state legislation. Regardless, you will generally be expected to carry out the following duties. 

Put simply, a certified medication aide is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) responsible for administering oral or topical medications to patients in the hospital. Unlike other nurse assistants, CMAs have the certification and training to administer said medications safely, at the right time and in proper doses. If not administered properly, many hospital medications can have potentially disastrous side effects. Because of this, CMAs have to thoroughly document the dosage and time that the medication was administered. Additionally, they have to properly teach patients how to consume their medicine safely, on their own. 

What qualities are expected of a CMA? 

CMAs are expected to monitor a patient’s reaction to the medications, as time passes. If any sudden changes or adverse effects appear, they have to report them as soon as possible to their supervising nurse, physician and medical provider. If needed, they can be tasked to collect biological samples for further analysis. Outside the clinic, CMAs are expected to collaborate closely with pharmacies to ensure that the necessary medications are always available. Since medications can run out or expire, they also have to perform medication audits to ensure that the supply is fresh enough to use and properly stocked. 

What is the outlook for the CMA? 

The future of the profession is exceedingly bright. From 2021 to 2031, The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that CMAs are expected to grow by about 16% percent. For reference, this translates to 117,800 new job openings within that time and is considerably faster than average. A number of factors will contribute to the steady demand for these kinds of healthcare workers. Older patients are expected to need more detailed medical tests for conditions like type 2 diabetes. Prenatal tests for genetic conditions have also risen in prominence, thus raising the demand for such nurses even further. Finally, veteran CMAs are expected to leave the industry en masse in the future. This leaves hospitals with vacancies they are in a rush to fill. 

CMA salaries do lag behind their contemporaries, relatively speaking. Currently, the BLS pins the average medical technician salary at around $37,190. Thankfully, per diem, CMAs will have the opportunity to earn even higher than this. With the help of VitaWerks, they can secure the best-paying shifts from the finest facilities in their area. This is all while working at their own pace and dictating their own hours.

How can I become a CMA? 

As we mentioned earlier, different states have specific requirements for becoming a CMA. That being said, the step-by-step process is generally the same, in the broad strokes. 

Step 1: Fulfill educational requirements

Before anything else, aspiring med tech nurses need to obtain their high school diplomas. Certain Med Tech programs will require a number of prerequisite courses, such as Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English. Even if they do not, completing such courses will look extremely favorable on your resume. 

Step 2: Acquire your CNA certification

Once you fulfil the entry-level educational requirements, you can start applying for postsecondary CMA programs. To qualify for the certification test, you need to enroll in a course that is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). While most programs are 9 to 12 months long, you can optionally opt for a 2-year CMA program that will reward you with an associate’s degree. 

Step 3: Acquire CNA certification

As we mentioned earlier, a CMA is essentially a CNA with the authority to administer medicine. Before you can become the former, you need to acquire the credentials of the latter. You can find a number of good quality CNA programs at community colleges, Red Cross branches, medical educational institutions and even some hospitals. Regardless of where you live, you want to make sure that the lessons you are taking are state-approved. If not, then you will not be eligible for a CNA, and you would have wasted your time and hard-earned money. 

Step 4: Earn your CMA certification

Once you graduate from your CMA lessons, you can start applying for CMA certification training. To qualify for such programs, you usually need to complete a minimum amount of hours of clinical practice as a CNA beforehand. 140 hours is a common benchmark, but the exact requirements will depend on the state you live in. In a majority of states, you will have to pass a Medication Aide test right after graduation. To make sure your program is preparing you sufficiently for the test, you want to check if they provide a complete curriculum. Good CA training programs will cover the following 

• The legal, ethical and regulatory dimensions of medicine administration 
• Record-keeping and communicating in a healthcare setting.
• The side-effects, interactions and variants of medications.
• How to safely administer and handle medicines.

Apply for CMA jobs 

If you passed your respective Medication Aide examination, then congratulations! You are officially a CMA. Your work has only begun, however, as now it is time to start looking for CMA jobs. Certified Medication Aides can usually find work in (among other places) hospitals, long-term care facilities, care homes, rehabilitation facilities and occasionally even home healthcare services. If you were already working in a facility beforehand as a CNA, you can inquire about whether or not you can shift into a CMA role. 

To increase your hire ability, you want to gain at least one year of relevant CMA experience. In the middle of your training program, you can expect to carry out a certain amount of clinical rotation hours. Take advantage of this, along with any opportunities that arise in your regular facility of employment. Facilities are looking for knowledgeable and skilled CMAs who have comprehensive knowledge of relevant pharmacological and medical terminology, complete with the skills necessary to adapt quickly and contribute as soon as possible.

Continue your education

When you are a CMA (or any kind of HCP for that matter) learning becomes a continuous process. You have to continuously study and take in information in order to stay on top of healthcare best practices that are always changing. As healthcare continues to digitize and modernize, this only becomes more important. This constant learning is also vital if you want to continue practising. Both your CMA and CNA degrees will need to be renewed after a certain period of time. 

While the requirements and renewal period both vary depending on which state your practice is in, you will typically be required to complete a certain number of Contact Hours. A number of these can be fulfilled with clinical bedside work, while the rest has to be fulfilled through lectures and refresher classes. If you are trying to reactivate an expired license, there is a good chance you could end up repeating entire courses. In order to avoid stress, contact your State Board of Nursing as soon as possible, and inquire about the CMA and CNA renewal requirements 

What are the state-specific requirements? 

As was previously mentioned, the process for becoming a CMA will differ greatly from state to state. The process in Colorado will not be the same as the process in Nevada, California, Ohio and a number of other states. For your convenience, this is a list of official state resources that contain the step-by-step procedure and requirements necessary in order to become a CMA. If your state is not listed here, you can contact your State Board of Nursing or access their official website for more information. 

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

Is CMA work worth it? 

There is no denying that CMA work is as physically and mentally demanding as any other HCP role. In addition, CMAs are typically paid less than their other counterparts. If you are prepared for its unique rigors and challenges, however, then there is a lot to gain from the CMA route. If you are a CNA looking to take an extra role or someone who wants to get into HCP work as early as possible, then it is worth considering at least. The work experience will look incredible when you start applying for further education, whether at an Associate’s or Bachelor’s level. 

You may have heard of the State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA). As an entry-level role, becoming an STNA is seen as a viable stepping stone on the path to becoming a Registered Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN.) The low cost of entry and relatively short training period have made it a popular choice for healthcare hopefuls looking to break into the workforce at the earliest opportunity. 

What do STNAs do, however? How can you become one? And what would your career path look like, moving forward? For the answer to all these questions and more, read on. 

What is an STNA? 

In reality, “State Tested Nursing Assistant” is a label that is only used in Ohio. Every other state refers to them as either Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs). They are also known as Nursing Assistants (NAs) and Nurse Aides. Any information regarding any of the listed designations also applies to STNAs. 

Under the supervision of an RN or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), STNAs can be expected to handle direct care duties. In other words, they are primarily responsible for assisting patients with regular daily tasks that they are unable to complete themselves, due to their condition. 

What does an STNA do in their shift? 

 The “direct care tasks” umbrella encompasses a broad list of tasks and responsibilities. Within a single shift, an STNA can expect to carry out the following workplace duties: 

• Assisting patients who need help with eating food and drinking beverages. This could mean using gastrostomy and nasogastric feeding tubes, if necessary.
• Dressing and bathing unencumbered patients.
• Helping patients with their personal grooming, such as nail trimming, hair brushing, shaving or dental care. 
• Buying supplies. 
• Aiding their supervising nurses with certain medical procedures and gathering the necessary materials from them. 
• Treating and caring for wounds.
• Answering phone calls for patients who cannot speak at the moment. 
• Moving patients from room to room or otherwise repositioning them. 
• Cleaning the room and periodically changing the bed linen to promote a healthy healing environment.
• Helping outpatients with their bowel movements and excretions. 
• Keeping track of a patient’s vital signs. If any dramatic changes are found, STNAs have to report to their supervisors or superiors at the earliest possible opportunity. 
• Documenting and updating patient information throughout the process. 

The scope of your responsibilities will depend on what your supervisor requires on that day, as well as the facility you work in itself. 

How much are STNAs paid? 

Nationwide, CNAs earn around $30,290 a year, according to a census conducted by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Keep in mind that this is an average. This roughly translates to $14.56 per hour. In practice, CNA salaries can vary according to experience, additional qualifications and (most pertinently) location. In Ohio specifically, STNAs earn around $28,453 a year or $13.68 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. According to their database, the 95th percentile can earn up to $35,194-$37,023 while the 4th percentile can earn as low as $16,911-18,739.

Where do STNAs work? 

State Tested Nurse Aides can find work in a variety of different healthcare settings. Per the aforementioned BLS census, a majority of STNAs operate in nursing care facilities, which include adult daycares, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and more. These facilities admit the type of patients that are in the most need of direct care services. Meanwhile, 32% of STNAs find work in standard hospitals, local, state or private. A smaller percentage of STNAs find work in government facilities and home healthcare services. 

What is the outlook for STNAs? 

The future looks bright for STNAs and CNAs in general. Between 2021 to 2031, the BLS predicts that the American pool of STNAs will increase by 5%, which is around as fast as the average growth rate for jobs in America. For reference, this translates to 64,900 new STNAs within that time. It is clear that STNAs are in high demand at the moment, and that demand will only continue to grow in the future.

Why is this the case, you may ask? A number of factors play into this. With a good chunk of the patient population continuing to age and increased awareness of chronic conditions that need constant treatment (including diabetes and cardiac conditions), there will be an increased need for extensive healthcare services. As the demand rises, the need for more STNAs to carry out direct care duties increases as well. 

How do you become an STNA? 

Like with salary, the process of becoming an STNA will depend on where you live. That being said, the general process is fairly similar across various states. For our purposes, we will dive into Ohio’s requirements, since STNA refers to nursing assistants in that area. 

Apply for an STNA Training Program: To become an STNA, you first need to attend a state-approved training program. Before you are admitted, you need to complete a criminal background check. You will not be accepted by programs if they find that you have a history of crimes, such as (but not limited to) drug possession, theft or violent acts. You can click here to find the full list of violations that will disqualify you from eligibility. 

You also need to present any requirements a school will ask of you. In Ohio, your High School or GED Diploma is technically not required; a handful of institutions will ask you for it, however. At the bare minimum, you will be asked to present your Social Security Card (for American citizens) or your ITTN number (if you are not an American citizen.) Any additional document requirements will depend on the school you apply to. Some schools will ask for your vaccination record, physical exam, state ID or TB test, but not all of them will. 

Complete your STNA Training Program: Compared to similar programs in America, Ohio is actually one of the shortest. You will be expected to complete 75 contact hours. 59 of them will be completed by attending lectures, while the remaining 16 are carried out in clinical rotations. In total, it usually takes around 3 weeks to complete on average. Meanwhile, the tuition fee will cost you around $593. 

Pass the Certification Test: As soon as you graduate from your training program, you are allotted at least four months to pass the STNA certification test. To take the test at all, you will have to pay a $104 entrance fee. $78 will cover the practical skills portion, while $26 is for the written section. Your school will usually register you for the exam, but if that is not the case, you can also contact the D&S to book your test directly. You can also contact them if you have to reschedule or otherwise run into any issues. 

Students are allotted 3 attempts to pass the test. Failing to pass the test three times means retaking your STNA lessons from the start. Every time you retake the test, you have to pay the full fee all over again. The best way to avoid this is simply by studying for the STNA test thoroughly. Luckily, there are a wealth of learning materials available to you. From Youtube instructional videos to the D&S’s official practice tests to STNA physical reviewers available at your local bookshop, you will not be at a loss while you look for review material. Just remember to search for material that is specific to tests in the Ohio area.

Look for work: If you passed the exam, then you are officially becoming an STNA! Congratulations! You can expect to receive your certification in short order. Once that is settled, you can finally begin sending applications in short order. 

Is becoming an STNA worth it? 

STNAs can start working in healthcare earlier, compared to most other healthcare professions. This lets you gain real and practical experience that will carry over into your work or school applications. Although the pay will be lower than your contemporaries, you can work your way up to more lucrative healthcare positions. Down the road, you can even progress your career with further education such an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing programs in order to take on greater nursing roles. Unlike a lot of nursing students, STNAs can also earn significant income and work while they study and better themselves. 

To be clear, State Tested Nurse Aide is not always the correct path for every hopeful HCP. That being said, it is just as valid a nursing journey as any other. Many excellent nurses have started as STNAs, and never looked back. The STNA career path is not a walk in the park. It is a physically demanding and mentally draining profession that makes STNAs stay on their feet for the bulk of their shift. The rigors of HCP work require a certain kind of mindset and will ask a lot of you. If you are willing to accept all this, however, then the potential rewards are numerous.