CNAs to be trained at URI in administering medication in state facilities

URI program prepares CNAs to administer medication in state facilities
Training helps ease burden on nurses, increase capacity of healthcare workforce

Photo, top: The URI College of Pharmacy is training certified nursing assistants to administer medications in state facilities, helping increase the capacity of the healthcare workforce in Rhode Island.

Certified Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island Department of Health-licensed long-term care facilities will soon be able to administer medications to patients, under supervision, thanks to a partnership among the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Office Healthcare Workforce Development, the state Department of Labor and Training, and the URI Office of Strategic Initiatives. The partnership aims to relieve the burden on nurses in often short-staffed facilities, and directly address the statewide shortage of credentialed medication aides

URI is one of the few licensed providers in the state authorized through the Rhode Island Department of Health to deliver the state-approved training in drug administration program, which educates CNAs to become medication aide technicians. They will be certified to deliver drugs in department of health facilities, including long-term care and assisted living facilities. Taught by registered pharmacists and nurses, led by URI College of Pharmacy Associate Teaching Professor Patrick Kelly, the course teaches CNAs all they need to know to safely and effectively deliver medications. Course topics include medication dosage forms, pain medication therapy, legal constraints, neuropsychopathic medications, diabetes and more.

Classes take place Sept. 3 through Dec. 10, on Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m., at the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center in Providence, and Thursday evenings via Zoom. Students must hold a high school diploma or GED, and be employed as a licensed CNA in a state nursing home, adult day care, group home or assisted living facility. Students must attend every session to attain the 45 hours required for licensing, which also requires completion of a practicum and at least three supervised medication passes at their current facility within two months of passing the course.

Tuition for the course and licensing fees are waived for CNAs, thanks to a grant from the state Department of Labor and Training, part of the Transforming Health in Rhode Island Partnership. Interested CNAs can complete an inquiry form on the URI website to learn if they are eligible. The Real Jobs RI-affiliated program aims to provide the training and education healthcare professionals need to transform and modernize the delivery of health care in Rhode Island.

“This course allows CNAs to advance their careers by becoming certified medication aide technicians, providing increased stability and flexibility to long-term care facilities across Rhode Island,” said M-J Kanaczet, Director of URI’s Office of Healthcare Workforce Development. “The demands on healthcare workers are higher than ever, and burnout is a growing concern—underscoring the critical need to upskill our CNAs and expand the capacity of our workforce. This program not only enhances CNAs’ training in medication administration by our College of Pharmacy medication experts but also empowers them to play a more integral role on healthcare teams and, ultimately, provide better care for patients.”