Bill > S10516

This bill allows certified medication aides to administer certain medications in residential health care facilities, which are places like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It amends existing laws to permit these aides to perform medication-related tasks under the supervision of a registered professional nurse (an RN), who is a licensed nurse. The bill specifies that these tasks can include administering routine medications that are pre-filled or easily packaged, but prohibits them from performing complex procedures like injections (except for insulin, diabetes care, low molecular weight heparin, and emergency epinephrine or naloxone), sterile procedures, or central line maintenance. To become a certified medication aide, an individual must have a valid New York State nurse aide certificate, a high school diploma, be at least 18 years old, have a year of experience as a nurse aide in a similar facility, be proficient in English and basic math, and complete required training and competency exams. The bill also clarifies that certified medication aides cannot assess patients' medication needs or hold themselves out as licensed nurses, and they must document all medication tasks performed. The supervising RN retains the ultimate authority to assign tasks and can revoke them at any time.