Where I work they utilize Med Aides to assist the nurses. A med aide is assigned to each unit for day and evening shift- not overnights. The MT helps the nurse with passing routine meds and nothing more- this frees up the nurse to do assessments, treatments, answer calls, make calls, ect.
The nurses were very threatened at first when they began this, but after about one week they loved it and now whine and complain when they don't have the med aide.
The med aide cannot take an assignment when acting as a med aide. They cannot supervise the aides- or delegate anything (including the making out of assignments). The person just passes meds and nothing more. What can happen though, and isn't always good: The med aide works for an hour passing meds, then must work as a CNA for a couple hours to cover some situation. Then go back to passing meds. The person in these shoes often gets screwed over in this way- they bounce back and forth and I'm not sure it's something I would want.
