59A-26.014. Training and Validation Required for Unlicensed Medication Assistants

(1) Required medication administration training must include criteria to ensure that competency is demonstrated through validation and revalidation of the qualification of the UMA and all requirements of UMAs specified in this rule chapter.

(2) Medication administration training must be conducted by a registered nurse, ARNP or physician for UMAs and will be provided by the ICF/DD licensee. Any person providing medication administration training sessions or conducting skills validation or revalidation tests must first complete a trainer orientation session, which includes requirements of this rule and information to be covered during medication administration training sessions. Documentation of the trainer’s completed orientation must be provided to each UMA that he or she trains or validates.

(3) Medication administration training must include the following topics:

(a) Basic knowledge and skills necessary for medication administration charting on the Medication Administration Record (MAR);

(b) Roles of the physician, nurse, pharmacist and direct care staff in medication supervision;

(c) Procedures for recording/charting medications;

(d) Interpretation of common abbreviations used in the administration and charting of medications;

(e) Knowledge of facility medication systems;

(f) Safety precautions used in medication administration;

(g) Methods and techniques of medication administration;

(h) Problems and interventions in the administration of medications;

(i) Observation and reporting of anticipated side effects, adverse effects and desired positive outcome; and,

(j) Each duty of UMAs as required in this rule chapter.

(4) Validation or revalidation of the effective completion of the training is required for each UMA to assess that competency has been achieved after completion of required training. To become validated or revalidated, the UMA must be able to successfully demonstrate, in a practical setting, his or her ability to correctly administer or supervise the self-administration of medications to clients in a safe and sanitary manner and to correctly and accurately document actions related to the administration of medications, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. At completion of the training, an UMA must attain an overall score of 100% on knowledge tests that cover the training and facility specific questions. The UMA will have three attempts to achieve a 100% score. If after the third attempt a score of 100% is not achieved, the UMA must repeat the training and may not administer medication to clients until such time as a score of 100% is achieved. Additionally, an UMA must be able to state the purpose, common side effects, and signs and symptoms of adverse reactions for a list of commonly used medications from memory or demonstrate how they obtain that information and maintain it for easy access.

(5) Validation or revalidation of competency will be conducted by an RN, physician, or ARNP. The ICF/DD licensee will maintain documentation containing the following information:

(a) The name and address of the validator;

(b) Validation or revalidation date, with expiration date of 365 days from the validation;

(c) Printed name and signature of the validating health care professional as it appears on his or her license; and,

(d) Validating health care professional’s license number, with license expiration date.

(6) All training curricula, handouts, testing materials, and documents used to comply with the medication administration training and skills requirements of this rule will be kept on file for five years in the ICF/DD facility.

(7) The following must be validated or revalidated for each UMA:

(a) Demonstration of the ability to read and follow medication instructions on a prescription label, physician’s order or MAR;

(b) Demonstration of the ability to write legibly, complete required documentation, and convey accurate and discernible information; and,

(c) Demonstration of the ability to perform as required in this rule chapter.

(d) Demonstration of the ability to state the purpose, common side effects, and signs and symptoms of adverse reactions for a list of commonly used medications from memory or demonstrate how they obtain that information and maintain it for easy access.

(8) UMAs and the ICF/DD licensee must maintain a copy of the UMA’s current skills validation document, and documentation of orientation for their medication administration trainer and validator. UMAs are responsible for maintaining a copy of these documents and providing copies to the ICF/DD licensee, if requested.

(9) If requested, an UMA will have available a copy of their signed skills validation documentation to provide to the client or client’s representative. UMAs will also have available, if requested, a copy of their annual skills revalidation documentation, within five working days of the revalidation date.

(10) UMAs who have not successfully renewed their validation prior to the expiration date will not be eligible to administer medications to clients until medication administration retraining and revalidation of skills have been successfully completed.

Rulemaking Authority 400.9685, 400.967 FS. Law Implemented 400.9685, 400.967 FS. History–New 12-21-15.