Certified Medication Aides Make A Difference

The CMA course is one of our most popular, and for good reason. At only 40 hours, it is a great entry point into the healthcare field. You will complete 24 hours online before you come to the classroom for only 12 hours. That is just TWO days in the classroom. VISIT THE CMA COURSE PAGE for more information.

Here’s Why You Should Become a CMA Today

Increased job opportunities: As a CMA, you’ll have specialized training in medication administration, making you a valuable asset in various healthcare settings. This certification can open up a wide range of job opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare agencies.

Fulfilling and meaningful work: Being a CMA allows you to directly impact the lives of individuals who require assistance with medication management. By ensuring proper administration and monitoring of medications, you contribute to their well-being and overall health. This can be a rewarding experience, knowing that you’re making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Career advancement potential: As a CMA, you can gain practical experience and build a strong foundation in healthcare. This can serve as a stepping stone for further career advancement within the field of healthcare. You may choose to pursue becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN), which can lead to higher positions and increased earning potential.

Job stability: The healthcare industry, including medication administration roles, often provides stable employment opportunities. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, the need for CMAs remains steady. This can offer job security and peace of mind, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.

Personal and professional growth: Working as a CMA allows you to continuously learn and expand your knowledge base. You’ll stay updated on medication safety protocols, new medications, and healthcare advancements. Additionally, interacting with healthcare professionals, patients, and their families can enhance your communication and interpersonal skills.

Flexible work schedules: Many healthcare facilities offer flexible work schedules to accommodate the needs of their employees. This can be beneficial for individuals seeking work-life balance or those with other personal commitments.

Competitive compensation: While specific salary ranges may vary depending on factors such as location and experience, CMAs often receive competitive compensation within the healthcare field. This can provide financial stability and the opportunity for growth as you gain more experience and expertise.

Artificial Intelligence “AI” is making its way into a variety of career paths – including the medical field. These advancements will allow professionals to spend more time helping patients, and less time working on administrative tasks. Read on to learn about the areas where it could make the biggest impact on the care patients receive.

Medication management and dosage calculation: AI systems can assist in accurately calculating medication dosages, checking for potential drug interactions, and ensuring adherence to prescribed medication schedules. This can help reduce errors and improve medication safety.

Assistance with administrative tasks: AI systems can automate and streamline certain administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, or updating charts. This can free up time, allowing them to focus more on direct patient care.

Enhanced diagnostics and monitoring: AI-powered technologies can help monitor patients’ vital signs, recognizing patterns, and providing early warnings for potential health issues leading to proactive care and interventions. Monitoring could even be done remotely and can improve the accuracy and efficiency of patient assessments.

Smart medication dispensing systems: AI-powered systems can automate the process of preparing and dispensing medications, ensuring the right medication is provided to the right patient at the right time. These systems can also track medication inventory and alert medical professionals when refills are needed.

Remember, while AI can improve efficiency and accuracy in medical-related tasks, human oversight and judgment remain essential. Health care professionals should continue to exercise expertise, empathy, and critical thinking skills when caring for patients. That is why your Quality Career Pathway’s education remains so important! 

If given the opportunity, most employers would rather promote from within instead of hiring someone new. If you currently work in a medical setting and are interested in advancing your career as a CNA, CMA, or Pharmacy Technician, consider talking to your manager or HR representative. Here’s how:

1. Schedule a meeting: Explain that you are looking for additional responsibilities and you’d like to set aside a few moments to talk about what that could look like.
2. Do some research: Before going into the meeting, understand the training time and cost commitments for the course you’d like to take. Take a look at our pricing page for more details about our programs.
3. Present your goals: Explain the role you are seeking and the research you have gathered. Your manager or HR representative should then share the company’s prerequisites for the job. 
4. Ask about tuition reimbursement: If they haven’t mentioned it already, ask if the company has a tuition reimbursement program. If so, make sure you understand all the criteria around the program, such as when and how the reimbursement takes place and how long you need to stay with the company. 
5. Enroll in a course: Once you understand the steps your company requires to advance, View Our Course Calendars, select your class time, and enroll.

Let Us Show You What to Expect

First, you will get access to your online materials as soon as you enroll in a course and make a payment. You do not have to pay in full to get access (but you can). If you signed up for a payment plan, you simply need to make your first payment.

Next, you will get an email with a link to the Learning Management System (LMS). This is where all your materials are located including content presentations, videos to watch, and quizzes to take. Yes, you will be taking periodic quizzes online to ensure you are comprehending the material.

You can access the LMS through the link that was in your email, or there is a link at the top of our website that will take you to the system’s log in page. You will log in with your email and a system-generated password which you will change upon initial log in.

Your Course Home Page Will Start With An Overview Video

This will show you how to navigate through your material and outline exactly what is expected from you. Please watch it so you are armed with all the information you need.

Tracking Your Progress

There are three ways you will be tracked online to ensure you have completed all the required elements before coming to the school for your in-person skills training and final testing:

Completing the course material: There is a course outline listed on your course homepage that includes all lessons, worksheets, and exams that are required. It is broken into Units to help you better organize your time. Beside each element is an icon that shows you the format:

Training time spent with the material: When you start a new element, a course timer will track how long you are spending with the material. To complete the course, you must review each section AND spend the minimum course requirement hours with the content. For example, for the CNA course, you must spend at least 44 hours with the online content. If you follow the prompts, you will easily reach both your content and timed goals.

Quiz scores: There are several quizzes throughout your course to ensure you are understanding the material. Your score will be calculated at end of the quiz and must achieve a specific score to proceed. Each course and exam has different criteria for passing and the system will let you know if you need to retake a quiz.

Material Details: The Audio Presentations

With audio presentations, you will be listening to the instructor lecture, sometimes with visuals and sometimes without. Please note that there is not a fast forward function. So once you start an audio presentation, if you stop and come back later, you will restart the material in that section again. The audio presentation segments range from 5 minutes to 60 minutes a piece, so take a look at the section’s time ticker before you start.

Material Details: The Videos

The videos are generally there to show you a skill that you will eventually practice when you get to the school. Many students like to revisit these videos right before coming to class.

Material Details: The Quizzes

At the end of each Unit, there will be a quiz. You will be presented with one question at a time and your score will be provided at the conclusion.

After a set amount of time, the quiz will time out and you will receive your score. If you need to retake the quiz, please revisit the prior material to review, then attempt again.

The Progress Report

At any point, you can check your progress through the course by clicking on the menu bar at the top of the screen. A green check will appear next to all the material that you have completed. In the example below, the CNAH Opening Presentation was not completed. You will need to have all sections checked before coming to the school for in-person class.

Additionally, at the completion of a Unit, you will get a summary of your progress. It will show your course completion percentage and your time summary.

Let’s Get Started

Now that you know what to expect online, get enrolled in a course, and get started.

What is the Difference Between a Medication Aide and Medical Assistant

When it comes to the term CMA – this is the most common question we get asked. While the names may sound similar, they are very different certifications and job titles. A Certified Medication Aide course takes 40 hours to complete and covers the skills required to administer and monitor a patient’s medication. To become a Medical Assistant, your training will take approximately 9 months to 2 years depending on your course load.

What Do You Learn As A Medication Aide?

In the Quality Career Pathways CMA course, you will learn the five rights of safe medication administration including accurate and complete documentation and how to respond when a patient refuses medication. Additionally, the course will cover how to administer medications in a variety of methods such as orally, inhalation, topical and instillation.

What Do You Learn As A Medical Assistant?

You will learn about administering and monitoring medications for your patients, plus additional medical skills, such as chart and code reading, surgical assistance procedures, ECG training, sample collection methods, and more. Please note that QCP does not offer a Medical Assistant course.

Career Opportunities and Salary Levels

Because a Medical Assistant has more training than a Certified Medication Aide, they will have more opportunities. However, in Omaha, Nebraska there are generally many posted CMA jobs openings each month. And while we cannot predict salary levels, you can check projections at with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics HERE.

Summary

If you think of it this way, it is simple to tell the difference: A Medication Aide is trained to handle medications only. A Medical Assistant is trained to cover more areas in the medical field.

This post does not guarantee employment or specific earning potentials, it simply represents the variety of career opportunities to our students.

A Certified Medication Aide (CMA) has the skills to administer medication and monitor its effectiveness. The CMA course, along with the CNA course, were the first to be offered at Quality Career Pathways and remain our core classes. Because we have been graduating CMAs since 2011, we have fielded our fair share of questions about this profession. Below are the ones we get asked most often.

What is the difference between a Certified Medication Aide and Medical Assistant?

This is the most popular question we receive. While the names may sound similar, they are very different certifications and job titles. A Certified Medication Aide course takes 40 hours to complete and covers the skills required to administer and monitor a patient’s medication. To become a Medical Assistant, your training will take approximately 9 months to 2 years depending on your course load.

While medication administration skills are included in a Medical Assistant program, you will learn additional medical skills in a program like this, such as chart and code reading, surgical assistance procedures, ECG training, sample collection methods, and more. This level of training requires a higher time and cost investment.

Please note: Quality Career Pathways only offers a Certified Medication Course

Should I become a CNA or a CMA?

This is a question only you can answer. What we can do is tell you about the differences between a CNA and a CMA. The CNA course takes a more comprehensive patient care approach and teaches you how to check vital signs, monitor a patient’s safety and wellbeing, and assist with personal tasks. The CMA course is specifically designed to focus on medication administration and monitoring.

So you may be thinking: if I become a CNA, do I also need a CMA certification?

While there are some aspects of medication awareness taught in a CNA course, the level of detail may not be enough for some employers to allow you to administer medication. Some may require the additional CMA certification to do so. Think of it this way, medication is just one part of the overall care plan for a patient. As a CNA you learn the skills to care for the patient’s personal needs. As a CMA you learn the skills to care for the patient’s medication needs. With a dual certification, you can care for the whole person.

How long does it take to become a CMA?

The Quality Career Pathways CMA Class is a 40 hour course and is offered as an online hybrid. You will complete 24 hours online before coming to the school for 12 hours of hands on training and testing. Courses are offered at our main Fort Campus or our new Vinton Campus.

What is the salary range of a CMA?

While we cannot predict salary levels, you can check projections at with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics HERE.

What are the career outlook for a CMA?

A Certified Medication Aide can work in a variety of medical settings. Basically anywhere that administers medication to patients can be a future workplace for you, including hospitals, in-home medical care, nursing homes and more.

Ready to get started?

This post does not guarantee employment or specific earning potentials, it simply represents the variety of career opportunities to our students.

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) helps patients with their daily tasks such as getting dressed, serving meals, and administering medications. A CNA is responsible for the safety and well-being of their patients. They play an important role so that registered nurses have time to take care of patients’ medical needs.

Average Salary of a CNA

While we cannot predict salary levels, you can check projections at with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics HERE.

Salaries can fluctuate based on multiple factors such as job availability, education levels, work experiences and more. 

Education Needed to Become a CNA in Nebraska

Certified Nursing Assistants are professionals and therefore the job requires professional training. Fortunately, that training does not take long to obtain nor is it particularly expensive. 

In Nebraska, a CNA requires a certification, not a license. To complete CNA certification, a candidate must enroll in a state-approved CNA program and achieve a passing score on the competency exam.

The cost of certification varies depending on the certification program chosen, but the average tuition for a CNA certification program in Nebraska is about $500 for tuition, books and exams. Uniforms may be an additional expense in some programs.

The total time it takes to complete a CNA program is 76 hours. Some certification programs can be completed in two weeks. Others offer evening classes or weekend classes that are spread out longer than two weeks. 

Job Prospects for Nebraska CNAs

Certified Nursing Assistants are in high demand. At any given time, there are thousands of CNA job listings in Nebraska. CNAs can work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, private homes, doctor’s offices and other medical businesses where nursing assistance is required. 

Many states also offer reciprocity for Nebraska certified CNAs so a professional’s certification can travel from state to state. Most states require some fees to issue a new certificate, but they do not require additional coursework or exams. Since each state has individual requirements, Nebraska CNAs should research the requirements in each state they’re interested in. 

The cost and time it takes to obtain CNA certification in Nebraska are minimal. With a little investment of time, it won’t be long before someone wishing to be a certified nursing assistant can obtain a career helping others that comes with a good starting salary.

This post does not guarantee employment or specific earning potentials, it simply represents the variety of career opportunities to our students.

Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, in Nebraska, must meet specific requirements to be fully certified and have the ability to practice. CNAs in Nebraska are under strict authority by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Resources, DHHS, to ensure the best care for patients that are utilizing CNA care. Before becoming a CNA in Nebraska, a person must meet training and exam requirements.

After meeting training and exam requirements, CNAs will get their name posted on the Nebraska registry. This will allow you to get a job as a CNA within the state.

If you want to learn more about becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Omaha, reach out to our team today at (402) 609-9583 or email us at Info@EnrollAtQuality.com.

CNA Training and Exam Requirements in Nebraska

To get one’s name on the Nebraska CNA Registry, an aspiring CNA must complete extensive training and be able to pass certain exams. Training and exam requirements will ensure that CNAs are knowledgeable and skilled in their practice, and will be able to provide the best possible care to their future patients. To begin the training and exam process, one must choose which route they are taking to become a CNA and must complete an in-depth application; applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Select the Right Program and Meet the Requirements

There are a number of different programs throughout Nebraska, and choosing the one that fits one’s lifestyle/needs is important. QCP offers one of the leading programs in Nebraska, with individuals completing their certification on average between 5-6 weeks.

For new CNAs, the first certification requirement is to complete a 75-hour nursing assistant training program. In addition to the 75-hour intensive nursing training, CNA students must also complete a one-hour training course that details reporting abuse and neglect.

Alternate Certification Routes

If an individual is a CNA from out-of-state, he or she does not have to complete the full 75 hours of training as long as he or she can prove with documentation that he or she already completed it. However, out of state CNAs will have to take the one-hour training course that details abuse and neglect, no matter his or her CNA circumstances.

True for both out-of-state CNAs and RNs and LPNs with lapsed licenses, individuals must complete and pass the CNA evaluation exam if they have not practiced nursing in 24 months.

If a nurse is trained in the military or is a foreign-trained nurse, he or she may be exempt from the CNA examination after submitting a letter to the DHHS with an attachment that details one’s credentials.

Complete State-Approved CNA Training

Individuals that are just beginning their CNA training and have selected their program will begin state-approved training. CNA courses must go over a minimum number of topics determined by the state of Nebraska. The standard curriculum for CNA courses in Nebraska (excluding CNAs that want to work with individuals with developmental disabilities) includes:

• Basic nursing skills, such as maintaining a patient’s environment/comfort, taking and recording a patient’s vital signs, etc.
• Personal care skills, such as feeding, bathing, turning and repositioning patients
• Learning resident rights, including, confidentiality and avoiding restraints
• Learning specifics of mental health in patients; this covers topics having to do with the aging process, residents’ personal choices and how to provide emotional support
• 16 hours of infection control training, communication skills training, and emergency procedure training
• Learning how to provide restorative services such as maintaining range of motion and the use of assistive devices

Passing the CNA Exams

When an individual completes the appropriate Nebraska CNA training, he or she must pass competency evaluation exams.

Written and Oral Exam

In order to pass this portion of the CNA exam, an individual must score at least a 70%. This portion of the exam is made up of 50 questions, and each individual gets three attempts to pass before he or she has to retrain and then try again.

Skills Exam

The next portion of the exam requires individuals to perform six skills; these skills can include anything from measuring a patient’s blood pressure or body temperature, to measuring the output from a urinary bag. An individual must pass all six skills; three attempts are allowed before he or she must retrain and retest.

The Application Process to be Placed on the Nebraska CNA Registry

Individuals that complete the standard curriculum and evaluation do not need to apply in order to be placed on the Nebraska CNA registry, the department will be notified after the evaluation has been passed. An individual should expect to see his or her name within 30 days of the department being notified.

If an individual has taken an alternate route in order to become a CNA, he or she must submit the appropriate documentation (graduate certification or RN/LPN license) as well as a cover letter that requests placement on the Nebraska CNA Registry.

What Happens After an Individual is a Certified Nursing Assistant in Omaha?

Having a CNA certification opens a number of doors for an individual interested in the medical field. Typically, CNAs are employed in long-term care facilities and nursing homes that are funded by Medicare/Medicaid, or they practice as private duty nursing assistants. Whether becoming a CNA is a step towards a future in the medical field, or it is the beginning of a career, becoming a certified nurse aide in Nebraska is worth one’s while.

This post does not guarantee employment or specific earning potentials, it simply represents the variety of career opportunities to our students.

Considering a job as a CNA? Then, you may be wondering what CNA duties you can expect. The primary job of the certified nursing assistant (CNA) is to provide their patients with basic care and help them in daily activities that they may struggle with, such as personal hygiene tasks, like taking a bath. Due to the personal nature of the job, the CNA job description should include compassion, people skills, and a joy for helping others. In nursing homes or long-term care facilities, the CNA can be the patient’s primary caregiver.

Certified nursing assistants work under registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, or licensed practical nurses (LPNs.) To excel as a CNA, individuals must also have excellent communication skills since they are expected to escalate patient issues and concerns to their supervisor.

Additionally, CNAs are expected to work with various medical technologies, like health information software, medical record charting software, and billing software. In certain facilities, the CNA will be responsible for providing the patients their medication, but this normally depends on the certified nursing assistant’s level of experience and training along with the state’s regulations.

CNA Job Description

CNAs help patients with their activities of daily living. There also are some CNAs with additional responsibilities. The basic patient care functions of the CNA’s job include:

• Checking vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, etc.)
• Providing patients bathing and dressing assistance
• Serving patients their meals and help them with eating
• Toileting assistance as well as providing and emptying the bedpans
• Collecting information on treatment plans and patients’ information from their care team of doctors, nurses, and caregivers
• Cleaning and sanitizing patient areas
• Answering patient calls
• Lifting patients and helping reposition into their beds, exam tables, or wheelchairs
• Examining patients for blood in the urine, bruises, bed sores, and other wounds/injuries
• Changing bed sheets and restocking patients rooms with needed supplies

A certified nursing assistant acts as a channel of communication between the patients and doctors and nurses. The CNA also records and transmits all issues to the medical staff. Other CNA duties may entail transporting patients to operating rooms or treatment units and setting up medical equipment as requested by doctors or nurses. However, the extra duties that are assigned will depend on the state where the CNA works.

Those who are looking to become CNAs should know that the job is not glamorous. At times in your nursing career, you may find yourself witnessing things that other people don’t want to see. From cleaning up after a patient to dressing wounds, CNAs are often tested to their limits on a daily basis.

CNA Salaries & Income Outlook

Career prospects for certified nurse assistants are expected to grow and maintain their momentum over the next few years. The CNA profession is anticipated to grow at an 11% rate, which is faster than the average job growth. Demand for 24/7 personal services is on the rise as the population grows older.

Wondering much a CNA earns? While we cannot predict salary levels, you can check projections at with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics HERE.

What CNAs Learn in School

While you don’t need to attend college and obtain a bachelor’s degree to become a CNA, you’ll need to undergo CNA training and to pass a CNA certification exam. In class, you’ll learn about checking vital signs, infection control, and how to personally assist patients. Additionally, important topics like patients’ rights and communication skills will be covered as well.

Upon completion of the CNA program, you will be required to take the certification exam, which typically includes a manual skills test and a multiple-choice exam.

Quality Career Pathways offers a 76-hour CNA course, which is typically completed in 5-6 weeks – with a day class that can be completed in just two weeks! And, a GED or high school diploma is not required to register for courses with Quality Career Pathways. Contact us today at (402) 609-9583 to learn more about our CNA class!

This post does not guarantee employment or specific earning potentials, it simply represents the variety of career opportunities to our students.