Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-14-.13

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 610-X-14-.13 - Standards And Scope Of Practice

(1) The Board of Nursing may adopt standards of medication assistant, certified practice and continuing competency.

(2) A Medication Assistant, Certified (MAC) may perform limited medication administration tasks in a licensed healthcare facility (other than a mental health residential community program) or a Board of Nursing-approved health care or educational facility licensed, certified, or operated by this state, only as permitted by this rule.

(a) In order to perform limited medication administration tasks, a MAC must successfully complete a Board-approved education program or a comparable program in another state and hold an active Alabama valid medication assistant, certified permit and certification (MACE).

(3) Medication administered by a MAC in a licensed healthcare facility or a Board of Nursing-approved health care or educational facility licensed, certified, or operated by this state may occur only when all of the following conditions are met:

(a) At least one licensed nurse is on the premises of the facility at the time when the MAC limited medication administration task occurs.

(b) A licensed nurse supervises the limited medication administration task performed by the MAC and is available to intervene as needed.

(c) The limited medication administration tasks the MAC performs are based on the patient's/resident's needs, as documented in the comprehensive and/or focused assessment by the registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and the outcome of a comprehensive assessment determines the medications that may safely be administered by a MAC to the patient/resident.

(d) The MAC shall not perform any duties that require the exercise of independent nursing judgment or intervention. Specific tasks that require independent nursing judgment or intervention that shall not be administered by the MAC include, but are not limited to:

1. Administration of injectable medications, with the exception of medications by premeasured auto-injectable devices or premeasured syringes for anaphylaxis, vaccinations, and opioid-related drug overdose.

2. Calculation of medication dosages, other than measuring a prescribed amount of liquid medication or breaking a scored tablet.

3. Receipt of verbal or telephone orders from a licensed prescriber.

4. Administration of medications ordered as needed (PRN), except under the direction of a licensed nurse, which direction shall be provided directly for each separate dose of the PRN medication

5. Administration of controlled substances. The MAC shall not have access to stored controlled substances.

(e) Subject to all other limitations imposed by this rule, routes of medication administration for which the MAC may perform limited medication administration tasks may include eye, ear, nose, oral, topical, inhalant, rectal, or vaginal.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-14-.13

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 12, September 30, 2021, eff. 11/14/2021.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 04, January 31, 2022, eff. 3/17/2022.

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-21-2.1.