Amends TCA Title 63.

Present law authorizes licensed nursing homes and assisted care living facilities, and a Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), to use certified medication aides to administer medications to its patients. A "medication aide" is an individual who administers medications under the general supervision of a licensed registered or practical nurse. <br /> <br /> One of the requirements for certification as a medication aide is that the applicant is a certified nurse aide who has practiced as a certified nurse aide in a nursing home, assisted care living facility, or a PACE for a minimum of one year at the time the applicant applies for certification as a medication aide. This bill adds eligibility for otherwise qualified applicants who are licensed as occupational therapy assistants. In the case of nurse aides and occupational therapy assistants, this bill specifies that the requirement for one year of prior practice in a nursing home, assisted-care living facility, or a PACE, must have been for a continuous period of one year or more. This bill also adds a requirement that all applicants for certification as a medication aide must have a recommendation from a facility where the individual is employed or contracted.<br /> <br /> Another requirement for certification as a medication aide under present law is that the applicant successfully complete a course of instruction provided by a training program approved by the board of nursing. This bill adds authorization for the training to be provided in the classroom or by distance learning.<br /> <br /> Another requirement for certification as a medication aide under present law is that the applicant pass a standardized examination. This bill reduces the minimum requirement for a passing grade from 85 percent to 75 percent.<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes a graduate of a registered or practical nursing program, prior to receiving authorization to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam, to perform the duties of a medication aide without completing a medication aide training program, if the graduate:<br /> <br /> (1) Applies to the board;<br /> <br /> (2) Provides to the board evidence of meeting the requirements of being at least 18 years of age, having a high school diploma or equivalency, and passing the standardized exam; and<br /> <br /> (3) Is not otherwise disqualified.<br /> <br /> ON MARCH 17, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2295, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 removes this bill's authorization for a graduate of a registered or practical nursing program, prior to receiving authorization to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam, to perform the duties of a medication aide without completing a medication aide training program, as discussed above in the bill summary. This amendment also changes from "upon becoming law" to "January 1, 2023," the effective date for this bill's provisions regarding eligibility for otherwise qualified applicants who are licensed as occupational therapy assistants, as described above in the bill summary.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 27, 2022, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 2295 FOR HOUSE BILL 2545, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2295, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 makes a technical, nonsubstantive correction to this bill to remove sections that would have changed internal cross-references in TCA that are no longer needed in light of Senate Amendment #1.<br />