Title: Identify permitted practices and acts prohibited by medication aides (MA) in Virginia.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Examining Legal and Ethical Issues in Medication Management

Identification should include

- practices allowed
  - may administer medications in ALFs licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
  - may administer medications for no more than 120 days from the date of the letter from the VBON
  - may administer medications which a client would normally self-administer
  - may administer insulin injections as ordered by a prescriber and as would normally be self-administered by a client
  - may administer epinephrine auto-injectors and glucagon as ordered by prescriber, in emergency situations

- acts prohibited by the VBON
  - may not administer medications in a nursing home
  - may not transmit verbal orders for new prescription drugs to a pharmacy
  - may not assess a client
  - may not deviate from the medication regime ordered
  - may not mix, dilute, or reconstitute two or more drug products, except insulin and glucagon
  - may not administer intramuscular medications
  - may not administer intravenous medications
  - may not give medication by way of percutaneous endoscopic gastric tubes

- acts prohibited by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy (VBOP)
  - may not transmit verbal orders for new prescription drugs to a pharmacy
  - may not remove drugs or administer drugs from an emergency stat box provided by a pharmacy
  - may not repackage or label medications of any kind

- prohibited by the DOSS
  - may not administer medications in ALFs until registered with the VBON pursuant to regulations effective July 15, 2019
  - must meet all regulatory requirements within one year of the effective date of new regulations

- other prohibited practices for medication aides
  - may not give medications which have been poured by another person
  - may not pour medication for another person to give
  - may not pre-pour medications for anyone (including oneself)
  - may not label or change the label of a medication
  - may not write prescriptions or order new medications
  - may not administer medications to clients until all requirements for training and certification are met.

Teacher Resource: 18VAC90-60-91. Requirements for Provisional Practice (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency90/chapter60/section91/)

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the observations that an MA should report?
- What are the legal or ethical consequences for practicing outside your scope of practice?
- Why is it important to review the facility job description before assuming the responsibilities of an MA?