Being a traveling medication aide offers numerous benefits. You can continue to do the work that you're passionate about, find satisfaction at the end of each day, discover new destinations, and earn a competitive salary. It is the perfect job for those compassionate individuals hungry for adventure who are ready to provide round-the-clock care.
Interested in traveling as a medication aide? Browse travel medication aide jobs at outstanding facilities across the country and find your fit.
A medication aide, also known as a medication technician, is a certified healthcare professional responsible for distributing prescribed medication to patients in a hospital, nursing home, or similar healthcare setting. From post-surgery patients recuperating from operations to those dealing with orthopedic injuries and heart conditions, every healthcare unit needs the right medication aide to engage in direct patient care tasks
Traveling medication aides are vital in various healthcare settings as they offer indispensable services to a diverse patient population. It’s not only about the clinical tasks; it’s also about ensuring the patients’ emotional well-being – medication aides must be empathetic communicators to effectively carry out their responsibilities while ensuring patients are comfortable and feel safe.
Dispense prescribed medications to the patients and ensure proper dosage under the instruction of a physician or registered nurse
Maintain accurate patient medication records and updating them as needed
Monitor patient condition and report vital signs and any side-effects or reactions to the medication
Monitor patient condition and report vital signs and any side-effects or reactions to the medication
Educate patients about their medications, including how and when to take them, and potential side effects
Check the medication storage areas regularly for expired drugs, and maintain a safe environment for medications
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Travel nurses are the backbone of medical traveling. Pay transparency means you can see your weekly pay rate before you even apply.
Level-up, healthcare traveler. Get your state licenses and requirements reimbursed.
Travel nurses qualify for a weekly, tax-free per diem that can help you cover the cost of moving, like your transportation, meals, and other expenses.
See new spaces. See new faces. Maintain a healthy work life balance. Grow and learn in your nursing career as you grow and learn in various cities all over the country.
Being a travel med aide is a great way to grow your experience and learn on the job. What if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Don’t sweat. You’ll get training and financial assistance for the cost of licensing and certifications!
Keeping up with the world of licensing and certification can be intimidating. Degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty but getting compliant for your home state and others you want to travel to are easier as a medical professional. Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to ensure that you know all the job details, including the guaranteed hours per week, and have the relevant credentials required for any and all travel jobs.
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty in nursing.
The three parts of compliance
Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
Once you've completed your high school education, you'll need to enroll in a state-approved medication aide training program. These programs typically cover a range of topics, including medical terminology, pharmacology, and patient care. As part of your training program, you'll be required to complete a certain number of clinical hours. After completing your training program, you'll need to pass the state medication aide certification exam. Once you've passed the state exam, you can apply for state certification as a medication aide.
It is recommended that travelers have 12-18 months of experience in their field. Depending on the specialty or the specific requirements of the facility, the required job experience could be longer.
A certified nursing assistant (CNA), sometimes known as a home health aide, primarily provides basic care to patients, such as bathing and feeding, assisting with mobility, ensuring patient comfort, and performing basic health-related tasks under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). CNAs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities. They are typically required to complete a state-approved education program and pass a competency exam to become certified.
In contrast, a certified medication aide is specifically trained and certified for medication administration. Their duties typically include preparing and administering medications, monitoring patients for side effects, maintaining accurate medication records, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to ensure effective treatment. While medication aides also assist with some activities of daily living, their role is more specialized and requires a separate certification process, often including completion of a state-approved medication aide training program and passing a state certification exam, in addition to the training and certification required to become a certified nursing assistant.
The compensation for a medication aide can vary quite significantly depending on factors such as location, experience, and the specific healthcare setting. On average, however, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medication aides in the United States can expect to earn an average annual wage of around $29,000.
Medication aides can find employment in an array of healthcare settings that require medication administration to patients. These settings span from long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities to hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Some medication aides also work in private homes as part of home healthcare teams. It's important to note that the work setting can influence the specific duties of a medication aide, as the needs and health conditions of patients can vary significantly across different environments. Regardless of the setting, their primary role remains constant: ensuring the safe and timely administration of medication to patients.
