CRMA Recertification 8-hour course- $85/per student
All CRMA courses are Maine DHHS approved for unlicensed certification to give non-injectable medications in a wide variety of residential care settings.
- All CRMA certificates expire every 2 years and must be renewed within 30 days of expiration
- There is a 30 day grace period after the certificate expires to get renewed, but the CRMA cannot pass meds until the new certificate is active on the certificate search button below. If the certificate is expired after 30 days, the full course must be retaken.
- Students must plan on 5 hours of study time before attending the 3 hour in-person exam (for a total of 8 hours)
DHHS guidelines for CRMA recertification:
how to find your CRMA certificate
1. Click "training certificates" on the left, enter info on the right and click "search for certificate"
2. At the above/left drop down box under "Trainee-Trainer-Date", click the lowest row with the most date
3. Click "display training", then click the "print certificate" at the lower right
If the above steps don't work, refresh your screen or try a different browser
Follow the sections below to get started with the course
Print the study guide above and follow the sections below
All CRMA students are responsible for reviewing the Maine CRMA Curriculum and the 8-hour Recertification Course guidelines.
Maine CRMA curriculum:
- Introduction- course grading, information resources
- Unit 1: roles/rules/regulations, infection control, vital signs
- Unit 2: medication administration
8-hour Recertification guidelines:
Be prepared for the following during the in-person class/exam
1. Transcribe a list of prescriber orders onto a paper MAR
2. Hands-on med pass demonstration using your completed MAR
3. Recertification exam, 100 questions, must pass with at least 80%
Maine Ch. 113 residential workplace regulations
All residential care providers are responsible for understanding the Maine Ch. 113 Regulations for how licensed services must be provided in a residential setting.
- CRMA 24-hour certificate- Level 1-3 with 5 or fewer residents
- CRMA 40-hour certificate- Level 4+ with 6 or more residents
*Within each level of licensed residential service,
Section 7 focuses on how to manage medications and treatments*
Ask your employer for clarification on your level of care
Medications are organized in a variety of ways
5 sources of medication ingredients
Most medications are manufactured from a combination of active ingredients to cause a desired therapeutic effect, for the purpose of relieving symptoms or curing disease.
- Plants- herbs, flowers, roots
- microbes- antibiotics
- animals/humans- insulin, hormones
- minerals- vitamin/mineral supplements
- man-made- synthetic ingredients
controlled or non-controlled meds
Controlled (C2)- narcotics are controlled closely due to powerful active ingredients with a high potential for abuse/addiction. Methods of control include: short-term med orders that legally expire in only 1 month and close monitoring of inventory- these meds must be double locked, double counted (at every key exchange) and double documented (on the MAR and in a bound count book) each time the med is given to the resident.
Non-controlled- all other non-narcotic meds, including over the counter (OTC) meds that can be purchased without prescription. However, all meds including topicals such as medicated creams, shampoos and sunscreen, must have a licensed prescriber order.
classifications- purpose for use
classifications- purpose for use
Meds are also organized by their purpose for use, associated with the diagnosis. As an example, if a person has hypertension, they may be prescribed an antihypertensive medication such as Metoprolol.
Remember, some meds are part of multiple classifications. We must verify each med so that we know why it is ordered and what effects to expect, then observe/document and report the reaction.
Print our study guide for a classification list
schedule 1-5
classifications- purpose for use
Medication orders legally expire depending on their classification and DEA drug “schedule” based on their potential danger for abuse/addiction.
low schedule # = high danger
high schedule # = low danger
schedule 1: - illicit street drugs, illegal possession, not used in healthcare.
schedule 2- controlled narcotics (C2): double locked/counted/documented
schedule 3- example: tylenol with codeine for moderate pain
Moderate/low danger
schedule 4-example: Xanax for moderate anxiety
schedule 5- general care/comfort meds, OTC, standing orders
types of med orders and when they legally expire
Types of med orders:
routine order: med is given routinely at the same time regularly
standing order: protocol list of pre- approved meds for general care and comfort of mild symptoms (Robitussin for cough, Tylenol for headache or fever)
PRN (as needed): med is given only when occasional but expected conditions arise, such as Tylenol for headache/fever, Robitussin for cough, depending on the Resident's reported symptoms or observed needs.
STAT: intended for immediate use for acute conditions.
Medication orders legally expire depending on the schedule # and classification:
- 1 month- schedule 2 controlled narcotics (C2)
- 3 months- psychotropics for mind/mood/behavior ( unless the order is otherwise written)
- 12 months- everything else (no orders are valid for more than 1 year)
the “8 rights”
1- NAME- resident
2- MEDICATION- generic and brand name 3- DOSE- total amount of med to give
4- ROUTE- where the med enters the body
5- TIME- when to give the med
6- REASON- why the med is ordered
remember:
7- REFUSE/KNOW- legal priveledge
8- DOCUMENTATION- complete all on MAR, notes, reports
course review
Unit 1 review
Unit 1 review
Unit 1 review
Job roles, workplace rules/regs infection control, vital signs
