Requirements for Becoming a TMA Nurse

The Trained Medication Aide (TMA) is an unlicensed health care worker who administers medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse or other licensed health care professional. Although the TMA is unlicensed, the course to become a TMA must meet state standards, usually established by the state nursing board. Training to become a TMA does not take long; courses can run from 25 to 50 classroom hours and almost always can be completed in less than a year.

Enrolling in a Trained Medication Aide program can have widely varying requirements. For example, Columbus Technical College (CTC) in Georgia requires individuals enrolling in its Qualified Medication Aide program to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, completed college-level English and mathematics or passed the proper tests demonstrating these competencies and be employed in a community living situation. Additionally, CTC requires a physical examination, background check and liability insurance. In Kansas, Cloud County Community College’s Medication Aide course is limited to 10 students who have already completed the Certified Nurses Aide program and passed a reading test.

Enrolling in a Trained Medication Aide program can have widely varying requirements. For example, Columbus Technical College (CTC) in Georgia requires individuals enrolling in its Qualified Medication Aide program to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, completed college-level English and mathematics or passed the proper tests demonstrating these competencies and be employed in a community living situation. Additionally, CTC requires a physical examination, background check and liability insurance. In Kansas, Cloud County Community College’s Medication Aide course is limited to 10 students who have already completed the Certified Nurses Aide program and passed a reading test.

A review of advertised TMA positions revealed that most are in long-term care facilities or assisted living centers. For example, the Good Samaritan Society, in seeking a TMA, emphasized the importance of having certification as a nurse assistant program as well as TMA training and excellent communication and comprehension skills. The job required the TMA to administer medications on time, following all narcotic sign-out and logging-in protocols and maintain the security and cleanliness of the medication cart. Additionally, the TMA was expected to respond to emergencies, demonstrate safety procedures whenever operating lifts, administering oxygen and performing other tasks. A part-time TMA position for the Emeritus Corporation in Georgia required a good communicator with compassion and an ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Reporting to the resident care director, the TMA handled the storage and distribution of medications as well as the requisite record keeping and reporting. Further, the facility required a TMA with good personal interaction skills in order to interact with residents and their families.