Skip to main content

Masthead

  • Member Login
  • Join Mass Senior Care
  • Contact
  • Search
    Advanced Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
    • Learn More About MSCA
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Newsroom
      • Mass Senior Care Press Releases
      • Mass Senior Care in the News
    • Directions and Parking
  • Education & Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Education and Seminar Policies and Procedures
    • 2020 Save the Dates
  • Member Resources
    • E-News Updates
      • Past Newsletters
    • Preferred Vendors
    • Quality & Wellness Initiatives
      • The Massachusetts Healthcare Safety and Quality Consortium
      • Sepsis Smart
      • Care Transitions
      • Culture Change
      • End of Life Care
      • Falls Prevention
      • Reducing Off-Label Use of Antipsychotics
    • Labor and Workforce
    • Regulatory
    • Reimbursement
      • Nursing Facility Census
    • Policy Committees
    • Other Resources
      • MassMAP (LTC Mutual Aid Plan)
      • Activities Professional (MassCAP)
      • AHCA/NCAL Bookstore
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Center
    • Legislative Priorities
    • Answering the Call to Care
  • Careers
    • Care For The Aging
    • Career Opportunities
    • Find a Job
    • Members Post a Job
  • For Consumers
    • Care Options
    • Find A Facility
    • How to Choose a Facility
    • Health Care Planning
    • Care Conversations
  • Foundation

Mass Senior Care Testifies in Strong Support of Medication Aide Legislation

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Member Resources
  • E-News Updates
  • Mass Senior Care Testifies in Strong Support of Medication Aide Legislation
November 21, 2019
Thumbnail

Mass Senior Care’s priority legislation to allow certified medication aides in nursing facilities was the subject of a hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Health this Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1344, An Act Relative to Certified Medication Aides would allow skilled nursing facilities to hire specially trained, certified medication aides to dispense oral, non-narcotic medications to nursing facility residents. The proposal would require the Department of Public Health to develop standards for training and competency testing of certified medication aides as well as continuing educational requirements. The bill’s primary sponsor, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), is a staunch advocate for nursing facility care and led a statewide tour of nursing facilities for the Massachusetts Republican Caucus over the summer.  

Tara Gregorio, Mass Senior Care’s President, presented testimony in strong support of the legislation stating, “The certified medication aide position would be an important career ladder program, creating a new intermediary position that would enable a CNA to gain additional training, skills and responsibilities, and facilitate career growth and earning potential. In addition, certified medication aides would provide immediate relief to overburdened RNs and LPNs who are the only personnel allowed to administer medications in Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities. Mass Senior Care believes the introduction of certified medication aides in skilled nursing facilities would allow for a more efficient use of licensed nursing staff, with an ultimate outcome to improve the overall quality and safety of resident care, as well as staff satisfaction.”

In addition, Tina Osborn, Director of Clinical Operations at Genesis HealthCare, New England Division and Frank Romano, President of Essex Group Management testified in support SB1344. Osborn and Romano’s testimony highlighted the successful use of medication aides in at least 35 other states. Medication aides allow nurses to spend more time on resident clinical assessments, treatments and other necessary skilled nursing services. Their testimony also notes all New England states except for Massachusetts are using specially trained medication technicians in long term care and how this legislation could help address the growing workforce crisis impacting long term care providers.

Upcoming Education & Events

calendar icon
Jan
16

January 16 at 8:30 am

Geri-Care Behavioral Safety for Caregivers: A Train-the-Trainer Program REPEAT PROGRAM

Mar
12

March 12 at 9:00 am

PDPM Six Months Later: The Massachusetts Experience

View Entire Calendar

Find a Facility

Recent News

newspaper icon
December 12, 2019
Massachusetts Medical Parole Law
December 12, 2019
Mass Senior Care Welcomes New Members
View All Recent News

Find a Preferred Vendor

msca logo

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

State Affiliate Of