Can a nurse delegate tasks to home care caregivers in New Mexico?

In limited cases. New Mexico nurses may delegate tasks only to people prepared or certified for them, and cannot delegate assessment or judgment. Unlicensed medication administration is done by Board-certified medication aides working under an RN in Board-approved agencies, which can include community settings. Aides give routine medications but no injections, except insulin by prefilled pen for aides with the CMA II certification.

What conditions apply?

• Nurses may delegate only nursing actions the person is prepared, qualified, licensed or certified to perform, and cannot delegate assessment, evaluation or nursing judgment to unlicensed persons
• Medication administration by unlicensed staff runs through Board-certified medication aides (CMAs), who may work in health care and community settings other than acute care, but only in a Board-approved agency
• CMAs give routine medications under RN supervision or direction; PRN doses need nurse authorization each time
• CMAs may not give IM, IV, subcutaneous or nasogastric medications, except that a CMA who completed a Board-approved CMA II program may give insulin with a prefilled insulin pen
• CMAs may not take orders, change doses, calculate doses or give medications needing assessment of the patient's need

What is the difference between medication reminders and administration?

Reminding a client to take their medicine, or handing them a container they open themselves, is usually treated as assistance. Giving the medicine, such as placing pills in the mouth, giving an injection or crushing tablets, is administration and generally needs a license or nurse delegation. Check your state's rule and the client's care plan.

What should you confirm with the state?

Medication aides may work only in a Board-approved agency; confirm with the New Mexico Board of Nursing whether a home care agency can qualify.