Medication Aide Classes

Medication Aide classes

Advance your career with this state-approved medication aide class.

You must be currently working as a CNA in a skilled nursing facility (nursing home) to be eligible to take this class. Not a CNA yet? Register to take the class.

The medication aide class is 100 hours total. The first 60 hours occur over four to five weeks with ten 3-hour online live learning sessions, as well as in-person sessions at the Institute. The last 40 hours take place at the skilled nursing facility where you work. We also offer a 4-hour Medication Aide Refresher Class one to two times per year and the Medication Aide Challenge Exam.

Administrators & Directors of Nursing:

Advance your CNAs to Medication Aides.

  • Create a career ladder for your CNAs that rewards and supports their retention.
  • Reduce your facility's dependency on professional nurses in this tough labor market.
  • Allow your nurses to focus more on patient assessment and identifying/addressing changes in condition.

Certified Nursing Assistants:

Take the next step on the career ladder by becoming a medication aide.

  • Gain knowledge and skills to proficiently complete medication administration in your nursing home.
  • Grow your career and be rewarded for your expertise.

Advancing CNAs to medication aides has worked very well for us. Medication aides allow the nurse to focus more on patient assessment and identifying and addressing changes in condition. When the nurse was responsible for medication administration, as well as all the treatments, assessments, etc., we found their day revolved more around the medication pass, and they were not as focused on the actual patient.

Ashley Spaeth, Director of Nursing
Dove Healthcare — Regional Vent Center, Chippewa Falls

Medication Aide Class Requirements

This class is a hybrid format with a blend of online live learning and in-person instruction.

  • You must have access to a device with internet access and camera to participate in online live learning. Class meets in real time online so attendance is required during all scheduled times.
  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • You must have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma.
  • You must be listed on the State of Wisconsin CNA Registry as eligible to work in federally certified healthcare settings.
  • You must have at least 2,000 hours of experience as a CNA in direct patient care within the last three years in a skilled nursing facility / nursing home. If your CNA work experience includes skilled nursing facility and other healthcare settings, you might be able to apply for a waiver through the State to take the medication aide class. Contact us for assistance. Send this form to your supervior or HR, and then upload completed form with your class registration.
  • Within the last 90 days, you must have worked a minimum of 40 hours as a CNA in the skilled nursing facility with the residents to whom you will be administering medications during the clinical portion of the medication aide class.
  • You must provide written verification from your employer of both the 2,000 hours and 40 hours worked requirement.
  • You must provide four written letters of recommendations:
  • A registered nurse currently working at the skilled nursing facility or nursing home where the student will be completing the clinical portion of the training, must be willing and available to serve as a proctor and assist in the supervision and testing of the student.

Medication Aide Challenge Exam

The Healthcare Workforce Training Institute offers the Medication Aide Challenge Exam to certified nursing assistants that want to be re-certified or to certified nursing assistant moving to Wisconsin from a different state. The WI Department of Health Services (DHS) requires approval prior to taking the Challenge Exam. Complete the application below and return to DHS. Upon being approved, DHS will notify the Healthcare Workforce Training Institute, and we will then contact you to schedule your one-hour exam. Learn more.

Complete the application.

Questions? Email info@healthcareworkforcetraining.com.

Medication Aide Class Fee

$1,050 per person with a five-person minimum required to proceed with the class. If you need assistance paying for the class, your current or future healthcare employer may offer to help pay for all or a portion of the class. Contact your employer prior to registering for a class.

Medication Aide Refresher Class: $100 per person
This four hour refresh class is offered one to two times per year.

Per WI code, "To maintain medication aide status a medication aide must complete 4 hours of pharmacy related in-service and 100 hours of work each calendar year."

Medication Aide Class Fee Assistance

If you need assistance paying for the medication aide class, please consider the following options and resources:

Refunds

You may request a refund in writing up to 10 days prior to the first day of class. There is a 10% administrative fee for all refunds. Send an email to

Instructor Travel Fees

In order to successfully complete the medication aide class requirements, students must pass both the classroom and clinical portions. The clinical portion of the class is completed at the skilled nursing facility / nursing home where the student is employed, and this is where our class instructor will complete the required medication pass competency check-off with the student.

Our class instructors are able to travel up to 60 miles from Eau Claire to perform this competency check-off with no additional charge to the student. If the class instructor needs to travel more than 60 miles from Eau Claire, WI, the student (or their employer) will be required to cover the instructor's travel costs (including time, mileage, and lodging) if necessary. Email any questions to

Dec 13

Medication Aide : Refresher

12PM - 4PM, online live learning session
This 4 hour continuing education class is required annually for current Medication Aide CNA's to renew their certification.

Location


Instructor-led, Online Learning

Michele Anderson
Instructor

Michele Anderson, RN
View Bio

Jan 20 - Feb 14

Medication Aide

1PM-4PM online live sessions: January 20, 21, 23, 24, 27 and February 3, 4, 6, 7, 10. 8AM-4PM in-person sessions, Lodi: January 30-31 and February 13-14. Followed by 40 hours of training at the skilled nursing facility where you work.

Location

HWTI Lodi Ed Center - 700 Clark Street
Lodi

Ben Ruyle
Instructor

Ben Ruyle, RN
View Bio

Jan 20 - Feb 14

Medication Aide

9AM-12PM online live sessions: January 20, 21, 23, 24, 27 and February 3, 4, 6, 7, 10. 8AM-4PM in-person sessions, Lodi: January 30-31 and February 13-14. Followed by 40 hours of training at the skilled nursing facility where you work.

Location

HWTI Lodi Ed Center - 700 Clark Street
Lodi

Ben Ruyle
Instructor

Ben Ruyle, RN
View Bio

Jan 20 - Feb 14

Medication Aide

1PM-4PM online live sessions: January 20, 21, 23, 24, 27 and February 3, 4, 6, 7, 10. 8AM-4PM in-person sessions, Chippewa Falls: January 30-31 and February 13-14. Followed by 40 hours of training at the skilled nursing facility where you work.

Location

HWTI Chippewa Falls Ed Center - 2815 County Highway I, 3rd Floor
Chippewa Falls

Michele Anderson
Instructor

Michele Anderson, RN
View Bio

Jan 20 - Feb 14

Medication Aide

9AM-12PM online live sessions: January 20, 21, 23, 24, 27 and February 3, 4, 6, 7, 10. 8AM-4PM in-person sessions, Chippewa Falls: January 30-31 and February 13-14. Followed by 40 hours of training at the skilled nursing facility where you work.

Location

HWTI Chippewa Falls Ed Center - 2815 County Highway I, 3rd Floor
Chippewa Falls

Michele Anderson
Instructor

Michele Anderson, RN
View Bio

Looking for a different location?

We may be able to offer the medication aide class in your community — Amery, Augusta, Barron, Black River Falls, Bloomer, Chetek, Chippewa Falls, Cumberland, Durand, Eau Claire, Hayward, Ladysmith, Menomonie, Mondovi, Neillsville, Osseo, Rice Lake, Turtle Lake, Spooner, Superior, and Whitehall to name a few.


Contact us for more information