Medication Aide

Prepare to Work as a Medication Aide

Riverland’s Medication Aide Certificate prepares healthcare workers to safely administer medications in healthcare settings. This course teaches the legal responsibilities, safety procedures, and practical skills needed to assist with medication administration.

Medication aides play an important role in patient care by helping ensure medications are given safely and correctly.

What You Will Learn

Students in this course learn the key principles of medication administration, including:

• Legal requirements and responsibilities for medication aides
• Safe medication administration procedures
• The “rights” of medication administration and safety checks
• Medication actions, dosage ranges, and side effects
• Recognizing and reporting adverse reactions

Students also practice these skills in a supervised laboratory setting.

Program Requirements

• Earn at least 75% on chapter quizzes and the final knowledge exam
• Demonstrate competency on the final skills exam
• Complete the 48-hour attendance requirement

Eligibility Requirements

• Be active on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
• Provide proof of completion of an approved Minnesota Nursing Assistant training program
• Six months of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant is recommended

Course Details

Location: Riverland Community College – Austin West Campus

Learning Format: Some coursework may be completed online, allowing flexibility for working students.

Textbook: Hartman’s Complete Guide for the Medication Aide (1st Edition)

Additional Requirements

• English proficiency is required
• Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory
• Reliable internet access is required for online coursework

Program Scholarships

Riverland offers scholarships to help support students in their education. To learn more about available scholarships and application deadlines, please visit the Riverland Foundation Scholarships page.