1. A. Objectives - there shall be written objectives for the medication aide program which serve as the basis for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program.

   1. (1) The objectives shall be developed by the medication aide program nurse educator and shall describe the competencies of the medication aide and shall include:
   2. (a) principles of safety in the administration of medication;
   3. (b) rights in preparing and administering medications;
   4. (c) methods commonly used to safeguard medications;

2. (d) process of infection control;

   1. (e) terms related to administration of medications;
   2. (f) abbreviations commonly used when prescribing and administering medications;
   3. (g) uses, dosages, and necessary precautions in administering medications;
   4. (h) ability to correctly calculate dosages;
   5. (i) appropriately reporting changes in a consumer’s condition;
   6. (j) importance of remaining with consumer while administering medication;
   7. (k) accurate documentation of medication administration;
   8. (l) legal parameters of the medication aide role;
   9. (m) authorized and prohibited functions;
   10. (n) responsibility for own actions;
   11. (o) maintenance of confidential information;
   12. (p) appropriate skills in medication administration;
   13. (q) understanding of the consumer population; and
   14. (r) confidentiality issues.
   15. (2) The objectives shall be written clearly and shall identify expected competencies of the beginning medication aide.
   16. (3) The objectives shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary by the nurse educator.

3. B. Curriculum:

   1. (1) The curriculum shall be developed, implemented, evaluated by the medication aide program nurse educator within the framework of the objectives.
   2. (2) The curriculum shall extend over a period of time sufficient to provide essential, sequenced learning experiences which enable a student to develop competence consistent with principles of learning and sound educational practice.
   3. (a) There shall be a minimum of 60 hours of classroom study of which 40 hours is the medication administration curriculum and 20 hours of population specific care curriculum.
   4. (b) There shall be a minimum of 20 hours of supervised clinical experience. The nurse educator retains accountability and determines the need for additional clinical experience hours.
   5. (c) Supervised clinical experience shall provide opportunities for the application of theory and for the achievement of stated objectives in a population specific care setting and shall include clinical learning experiences to develop the proficiency/quality assurance required by the individual to function safely as a medication aide. A nurse educator or clinical preceptor must be physically present and accessible to the student in the population specific care area.
   6. (d) The CMA II curriculum shall include a minimum of 16 additional hours of classroom study and a minimum of 20 supervised insulin injections. The CMA II student shall successfully administer insulin to one or more consumers a minimum of 20 times. The nurse educator must verify the successful completion of training by submitting a written letter to the board with the application to test as a CMA II.
   7. (3) The curriculum shall provide, at a minimum, instruction in the subject areas listed in 16.12.5.19 NMAC.
   8. (4) The nurse educator shall develop a written plan for curriculum and program evaluation.

4. C. Administration and organization:

   1. (1) There shall be a current organizational chart showing the position of the medication aide program within the overall structure of the agency, clearly indicating the lines of authority and responsibility and channels of communication.
   2. (2) The agency administration shall provide support for the medication aide program to obtain the resources needed for the program to achieve its purpose.

   3. (3) There shall be a nurse educator to administer the program that shall be responsible for:

      1. (a) the development, implementation and evaluation of the medication aide program;
      2. (b) creation and maintenance of an environment conducive to teaching and learning;
      3. (c) liaison with other personnel;
      4. (d) arrangement for direct supervision of the student’s clinical experience by a licensed nurse;
      5. (e) provision for a system of permanent records and reports essential to the operation of the medication aide program; and
      6. (f) communication with the board of nursing.
   4. (4) Should the nurse educator leave their position, the administrator shall notify the board. Failure to notify the board may result in a monetary penalty imposed by the board.

5. D. Faculty:

   1. (1) Each program shall have a nurse educator that is a registered nurse and holds a current license to practice nursing in NM or a current compact state license.
   2. (2) The nurse educator shall have at least two years of recent, within the last five years, nursing practice experience.
   3. (3) The nurse educator shall select the clinical experience for students.
   4. (4) The nurse educator or clinical preceptor must be physically present in the agency while students are engaged in clinical experience.
   5. (5) The ratio of faculty to students, during supervised clinical experience shall not be more than one faculty to two students.
   6. (6) The nurse educator shall be responsible for instruction and evaluation of student performance, termination, grading and progression.
   7. (7) Other health care providers, in addition to the nurse educator, may be appropriate faculty for classroom instruction such as physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists.
   8. (8) The nurse educator will have accountability/responsibility in the final selection/determination of any CMA candidate chosen for advancement to CMA II.

6. E. Records:

   1. (1) The nurse educator’s record shall include:

      1. (a) verification of current licensure as a registered nurse in New Mexico or compact state;
      2. (b) resume;
      3. (c) verification of board of nursing orientation for nurse educators;
      4. (d) board of nursing appointment letter to position of nurse educator.

   2. (2) The student’s record shall include:

      1. (a) admission date;
      2. (b) testing and evaluation records;
      3. (c) documentation of classroom and supervised clinical attendance;
      4. (d) final course grade;
      5. (e) certificate that documents proof of attendance and successful program completion;
      6. (f) current CPR certification.

   3. (3) The clinical preceptor’s record shall include:

      1. (a) verification of current licensure as a registered or licensed practical nurse in New Mexico or compact state;
      2. (b) resume;
      3. (c) verification of orientation for clinical preceptors conducted by nurse educator.

   4. (4) The CMA’s records shall include but not be limited to:

      1. (a) current NM CMA certifications;
      2. (b) biannual med pass observations;
      3. (c) annual performance evaluation;
      4. (d) continuing education records;
      5. (e) current CPR certification.

[16.12.5.17 NMAC - Rp, 16.12.5.17 NMAC, 12/13/2022]