Madison Hobson, an associate at Morning Pointe of Columbia, Tennessee, Assisted Living and Memory Care, recently passed her boards to become a certified medication aide, making her the first in Middle Tennessee to go through Morning Pointe Senior Living’s Tennessee Department of Health CMA class.
Morning Pointe, a senior living company based in the Southeast, kicked off its initial CMA class in the Chattanooga market in spring 2024 and followed up with a second class in the fall, which Hobson was a part of. Students went through a rigorous clinical program involving both theory and hands-on practice.
“The class was very fast-paced with a lot of information we had to learn, and I studied very hard,” said Hobson, who has been a certified nursing assistant since 2019. “I was very proud of myself when I saw that I had passed.”
Hobson added, “My favorite thing about working in senior living is getting close with all my residents – it’s like having grandparents I get to see every day.”
What is a CMA?
Certified medication aides are healthcare professionals trained in the administration of certain medications in an assisted living setting. They prepare and administer prescribed medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse. CMAs are trained to perform foundational care skills, such as setting up and passing medications, and to follow infection prevention practices. They learn about common conditions, documentation and basic pharmacology.
Nurses delegate the administration of a medication to a CMA once a nurse has completed a nursing assessment of the resident and established a nursing regimen. A nurse is always available to provide oversight and guidance to the CMA.
“We’re so lucky to have Madison as a CMA on our team,” said Brittney Hill, director of nursing at Morning Pointe of Columbia. “Her hard work and dedication to growing her skills make a real difference in how we care for our residents. This next step in her career is so exciting, and we couldn’t be prouder of her!”
Hobson hopes to continue advancing her nursing education to eventually become a nurse.
Developing the CMA Program
The Tennessee Department of Health created the new medication aide certification program, and Morning Pointe Senior Living is one of the first organizations to adopt and use it.
The program was created for several purposes – to give dedicated Morning Pointe associates a chance to further their clinical careers, to address the nationwide nursing shortage by providing a path for more individuals to be trained in medication administration, and to continue to provide high-quality resident care at Morning Pointe assisted living and memory care communities.
To enroll in the program, associates have to meet certain criteria. These include: being a current full-time employee of Morning Pointe Senior Living, being at least 18 years old, passing an updated background check, having at least a year of experience as a certified nursing assistant for a senior care community, providing a letter of recommendation, and more.
“The certified medication aide program requires diligent study and application, and Morning Pointe is so proud of these new CMAs who chose to pursue this advancement of their skills,” said Bebe Kennedy, RN, Morning Pointe Senior Living’s vice president of clinical services. “I know they are proud of taking this step in their careers, and ultimately our residents are benefitting as well.”
Several additional Morning Pointe associates in Middle Tennessee have completed the company’s third CMA class and are waiting to take their boards.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 40 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. Each Morning Pointe community provides licensed, clinical, or care staff available 24 hours a day; meals with dietician oversight and an emphasis on fresh, local produce; a full life enrichment activity program; engaging community partnerships; and on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy services. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide nursing scholarships and caregiver support. For more information, visit morningpointefoundation.com.
