131D-4.5B. Adult care home medication aides; training and competency evaluation requirements.

(a) By January 1, 2012, the Division of Health Service Regulation shall develop a mandatory, annual in-service training program for adult care home medication aides on infection control, safe practices for injections and any other procedures during which bleeding typically occurs, and glucose monitoring. Each medication aide who successfully completes the in-service training program shall receive partial credit, in an amount determined by the Department, toward the continuing education requirements for adult care home medication aides established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 131D-4.5.

(b) Beginning October 1, 2013, an adult care home is prohibited from allowing staff to perform any unsupervised medication aide duties unless that individual has previously worked as a medication aide during the previous 24 months in an adult care home or successfully completed all of the following:

(1) A five-hour training program developed by the Department that includes training and instruction in all of the following:

a. The key principles of medication administration.

b. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on infection control and, if applicable, safe injection practices and procedures for monitoring or testing in which bleeding occurs or the potential for bleeding exists.

(2) A clinical skills evaluation consistent with 10A NCAC 13F .0503 and 10A NCAC 13G .0503.

(3) Within 60 days from the date of hire, the individual must have completed the following:

a. An additional 10-hour training program developed by the Department that includes training and instruction in all of the following:

1. The key principles of medication administration.

2. The federal Centers of Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on infection control and, if applicable, safe injection practices and procedures for monitoring or testing in which bleeding occurs or the potential for bleeding exists.

b. An examination developed and administered by the Division of Health Service Regulation in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(c) By October 1, 2012, the Division of Health Service Regulation shall develop and administer an examination for individuals seeking employment as a medication aide in an adult care home.