What is Minnesota State Medication Aide Training? 

Minnesota State provides the required training to work as a Medication Aide in a skilled nursing facility. Students will develop an understanding of drug administration with this comprehensive training program. Available in two formats, classroom and hybrid, the Minnesota State curriculum offers consistency and customized training options to meet any needs. A wide variety of exercises and activities let students apply their knowledge to healthcare settings. The class includes a new textbook specifically designed for the medication aide. The training and supplemental resources will also prepare participants for written and skills exams by building knowledge and developing skills competency. This course requires a minimum of forty-eight hours of instruction.

This class is a hybrid class which includes both online and in-person course work. More details on the schedule are below.

What are the highlights of this training?

• Consistent curriculum and textbook throughout all Minnesota State ensures consistent training for all employees across Minnesota
• Textbook is geared specifically for the role of a medication aide and offered at an affordable price for students and facilities
• Flexible training options, including in-person and hybrid, to meet the scheduling needs of students and facilities
• Eligible costs of the training may be reimbursable to nursing facilities participating in the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Nursing Facility Employee Scholarship Program

What pre-requisites are there for students?

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, students must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program. These employees are not required to take the nursing assistant exam, nor to have ever been on the nursing assistant registry.
A person who challenges the Minnesota nursing assistant exam or transfers in from another state, for example, would not be eligible. It is the responsibility of the facility to document completion of an approved nursing assistant training program.

Students will apply classroom learning in the laboratory setting promoting safe medication administration.

To successfully complete the course, students must: 

• achieve a cumulative score of 75% or higher on chapter quizzes and final knowledge exam;  
• demonstrate competency of skills by passing the final skills exam; and 
• meet the online and in-person class attendance requirements with a minimum of 48 hours.

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility, please visit this website for more information. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/4658.1360/.

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.

Course fee: $775 (includes online materials, skills kit, and required textbook). Participants will be responsible for purchasing their own drug reference guide.

Tip: A drug reference will be useful for your entire career in healthcare. Check with your employer and/or college to see what they use daily.

Here are some suggestions for drug references from our course subject matter experts: 

• Pharm Phlash!: Pharmacology Flash Cards 
• Davis Drug Guide  

ON-CAMPUS LOCATION:

MN North College - Eveleth Campus  Room #112 Practical Nursing Lab
1100 Industrial Park Drive
P.O. Box 648
Eveleth, MN 55734 

MNC - Eveleth Campus

Parking is available at no cost.

REQUIRED ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION:

Monday, January 22, 2024 - 3:00 - 5:00 PM in Room 208
Students should bring the laptop, tablet, or other device they plan on using for the online portion of the course to ensure it meets minimum requirements.

ONLINE COURSE SCHEDULE:

Students should expect to complete a minimum of 10 hours of online as indicated on the course schedule each week. This includes online self-paced work and a required 2-hour Zoom session per week. Zoom sessions are offered weekly on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings.

WEEK 1 - May 26-27, 2024
Required Zoom Session: Sunday May 26,2024 10am-12pm OR Monday May 27,2024 6:30-8:30pm

WEEK 2 - June 2-3, 2024
Required Zoom Session: Sunday June 2,2024 10am-12pm OR Monday June 3,2024 6:30-8:30pm

WEEK 3 - June 9-10, 2024
Required Zoom Session: Sunday June 9,2024 10am-12pm OR Monday June 10,2024 6:30-8:30pm

WEEK 4 - June 16-17, 2024
Required Zoom Session: Sunday June 16,2024 10am-12pm OR Monday June 17,2024 6:30-8:30pm

ON-CAMPUS SKILLS SCHEDULE:

TBD

FINAL ON-CAMPUS EXAM:

TBD
Knowledge Exam: 10:00 - 4:00 PM
Individual Skill Exams: Starting at 11:00 AM until all students are completed.
 

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COVID-19 Notice - The safety of students and employees remains the college's top priority. The college will continue to follow CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. We will be prepared to adapt our plans if the situation changes.
 

Refund and Cancelation Policy - Customized Training Solutions (CTS) reserves the right to cancel a class up to two days prior to the class start date, unless otherwise noted. If a class is canceled by CTS a full refund will be issued. If a class must be canceled an email will be sent to all participants and/or 3rd party payers.

Participant must cancel a registration at least 48 hours prior to the start of class to receive a full refund. Cancelations that occur after the 48 hour timeline will not receive a refund, 3rd party payers will be invoiced the entire amount of the class fee.

Registrants may drop their registration through the online registration portal or by contacting CTS at 218-293-6920 or emailing cts@minnesotanorth.edu