Pennsylvania is on the brink of becoming the 35th state to establish the certified medication aide position for nursing homes. With the stroke of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) pen, the commonwealth will join Maryland, Arizona, Colorado and more than 30 others in establishing the designation.
Bill 668 comes during ongoing nursing home staffing challenges and three years after Pennsylvania was found to have the worst nursing shortage in the country. Because of that, the new position would help relieve some pressure from registered nurses and licensed practical nurses as the only nursing positions regulated to administer medications to nursing home residents.
The bill provides a long-term road map for providers looking to conquer their staffing troubles.
“To simply meet both the federal and state staffing mandates for nursing homes, Pennsylvania needs at least 1,000 more RNs and about 700 more LPNs,” Tim Ward, director of advocacy and government affairs for the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, told McKnights Long-Term Care News. “The position of CMA now allows for CNAs to advance their career and help offset staffing shortfalls. Because of this, we expect a great interest from providers to help CNAs become CMAs, allowing RNs and LPNs to spend more time delivering direct care and assessing residents.”
On top of providers having the opportunity to upskill internally, Bill 668 presents them with insights into cost-savings, too.
“Having CNAs that are certified to distribute medications and take vital signs already on staff can also help providers reduce high agency costs by not having to bring in more contracted nurses to help specifically for this task,” Ward said.
In November, McKnights Long-Term Care News reported on Pennsylavania’s journey to passing Bill 668, alongside Michigan, which proposed similar bills. A month later, Michigan’s governor signed them into law.
Shapiro is expected to sign off on Bill 668 in the coming days.
CMA hopefuls would be required to complete 40 hours of educational and clinical training and be recertified every two years.
