Ohio State Career Training Center (OSCTC)

A medication aide distributes patient medications in nursing homes and non-hospital, assisted living facilities for the physically or mentally disabled. Medication aides are directly supervised by doctors or other licensed caretakers.

The Medication Aide program will focus on side effects of medications, differentiating dangerous sedatives and narcotics from more basic daily medications, various contraindications, and dangers of certain drug combinations. Students will also learn safe and ethical practices to prevent patient overdose, drug abuse, or theft.

Upon successful completion of the training program, graduates will receive a written certification and be eligible to take the Ohio Board of Nursing approved examination in accordance with rule 4723-27-08 of the Administrative Code.

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No Longer Offered. Applicants are encouraged to check out the certified nursing assistant (STNA) or nursing programs to see if they may be more suitable to your education needs and career goals.

Prior to pilot program end date, medication aides can work with residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities participating in the Certified Medication Aide Pilot Program authorized under section 4723.63 of the Revised Code. After pilot program end date, they will be able to work with residents of all nursing homes and residential care facilities.

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of orderlies is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster as the average for all occupations.

As the baby-boom population ages, nursing assistants and orderlies will be needed to help care for an increasing number of older patients in nursing and residential care facilities. Older people are more likely than younger people to have disorders such as dementia, or to live with chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. More nursing assistants will be needed to care for patients with these conditions.