{"id":896,"date":"2022-05-16T22:40:16","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T22:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indiananursingacademy.com\/?page_id=896"},"modified":"2026-04-14T19:41:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T19:41:57","slug":"qma-scope-of-practice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/indiananursingacademy.com\/?page_id=896","title":{"rendered":"QMA Scope of Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n <\/div>
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QMA Scope of Practice <\/span><\/h2>

QMAs Are ONLY Legally Allowed to Perform Tasks Listed in the QMA Scope of Practice.<\/b><\/font><\/span><\/p>

QUALIFIED MEDICATION AIDE \nScope of Practice<\/b><\/u>: 

The following tasks are within the scope of practice for the QMA unless prohibited by facility \npolicy:\n

(1)<\/font> Observe and report to the facility\u2019s licensed nurse reactions and side effects to medications \nexhibited by a resident.\n
(2)<\/font> Measure and document vital signs prior to the administration of medication that could affect \nor change the vital signs. Report any abnormalities to the licensed nurse that would prohibit \nmedication administration.\n
(3)<\/font> Administer regularly prescribed medication which the QMA has been trained to administer \nonly after personally preparing (setting up) the medication to be administered. The QMA shall \ndocument in a resident\u2019s clinical record all medications that the QMA personally administered.\nThe QMA shall not document in a resident\u2019s clinical record any medication that was \nadministered by another person or not administered at all.\n
(4) <\/font>Initiate oxygen per nasal cannula or nonsealing mask only in an emergency. Immediately \nafter the emergency, the QMA shall verbally notify the licensed nurse on duty or on call and \nappropriately document the action and notification.\n
(5)<\/font> Obtain oxygen saturation utilizing an oximeter that has been calibrated by a licensed or \ncertified professional and report results to the licensed nurse.\n
(6) <\/font>Apply physician-ordered oral, ophthalmic, otic, nasal, vaginal, and rectal medications.\n(7)<\/font> Crush and administer medications if such preparation is appropriate per manufacturer\u2019s \ninstructions or physician\u2019s order.\n
(8)<\/font> Alter capsules if prescribed to be administered in this altered manner by the physician.\n(9) <\/font>Count, administer, and document controlled substances.\n
(10)<\/font> Administer medications per G-tube or J-tube.\n
(11)<\/font> Administer previously ordered pro re nata (PRN) medication only if authorization is \nobtained from the facility\u2019s licensed nurse on duty or on call. If authorization is obtained, the \nQMA must do the following:\n(A)<\/font> Document in the resident record symptoms indicating the need for the medication and time \nthe symptoms occurred.\n(B) <\/font>Document in the resident record that the facility\u2019s licensed nurse was contacted, symptoms \nwere described, and permission was granted to administer the medication, including the time \nof contact.\n(C) <\/font>Obtain permission to administer the medication each time the symptoms occur in the\nresident.\n(D)<\/font> Ensure that the resident\u2019s record is cosigned by the licensed nurse who gave permission by \nthe end of the nurse\u2019s shift, or if the nurse was on call, by the end of the nurse\u2019s next tour of \nduty.\n
(12)<\/font> Apply topical medication to minor skin conditions such as dermatitis, scabies, pediculosis, \nfungal-infection, psoriasis, eczema, first degree burn, stage one decubitus ulcer.\n
(13)<\/font> Administer medication via metered dose inhaler.\n
(14)<\/font> Conduct hemoccult testing and report result to the licensed nurse.\n
(15)<\/font> Conduct finger stick blood glucose testing (specific to the glucose meter used), reporting \nresult to the licensed nurse.\n
(16)<\/font> Apply a dressing to a minor skin tear that has been assessed by a licensed nurse.\n
(17)<\/font> Provide ordered site care and apply a dressing to a healed G-tube or J-tube site.\nQUALIFIED MEDICATION AIDE \nScope of Practice
\n(18)<\/font> Empty and change colostomy bag.
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(19)<\/font> Instill a commercially prepared<\/b><\/u> disposable<\/i> enema
(approximately one-hundred-twenty (120) \nmilliliters<\/font><\/i> or four and one-half (4.5) ounces<\/b><\/font><\/i>) after<\/b> the resident<\/b> has been assessed by the licensed \nnurse <\/b>
(for bowel sounds and potential impaction)<\/i> and
the licensed nurse<\/b> has instructed<\/b> the QMA \nto instill the enema<\/b>.
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(20)<\/font> Administer a sitz bath, if ordered by the physician, and report any unusual observations to \nthe licensed nurse.\n
(21)<\/font> Apply a cold, dry compress as directed by the physician or by the licensed nurse in \nemergency situations requiring first-aid treatment.\n
(22)<\/font> Conduct diabetic urine testing, for example, tablet, dipstick, or test tape methods.\n(23)<\/font> Collect fecal or urine specimens as ordered by the physician.\n
(24)<\/font> Document in the clinical record the QMA observations, including what the QMA sees, \nhears, or smells and document what is reported to the QMA by the resident.\n

The following tasks shall NOT be included in the QMA scope of practice<\/b><\/u>:\n

(1)<\/font> (QMA is Not to Administer ANY Injection) <\/b>Administer medication by the injection route, including the following:\n
(A) Intramuscular route.\n
(B) Intravenous route.\n
(C) Subcutaneous route.\n
(D) Intradermal route.\n

(2)<\/font> Administer medication used for intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPD) treatments or \nany form of medication inhalation treatments, such as nebulizers\n
(3)<\/font> Administer medication per nasogastric tube.\n

(4)<\/font> Instill irrigation fluids of any type, including, but not limited to:\n
(A) colostomy;\n
(B) catheter; and\n
(C) enema;\nexcept as described in subsection (19).\n

(5)<\/font> Assume responsibility for receiving in writing or receive a verbal or telephone order.\n(6)<\/font> Administer a treatment that involves advanced skin conditions, including stage II, III, and IV \ndecubitus ulcers<\/span><\/p> \n \n \n

QMA Program\n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n