Effective June 1, 2007, any provider who chooses to administer prescription and non-prescription medication to children in a child day center, with the exception of over-the-counter topical ointments, sunscreen, and topically applied insect repellent, must successfully complete a medication administration training program approved by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). The following information is meant to best prepare you and your staff for the MAT course.
MAT General Information
To attend a VDSS approved MAT course, a childcare provider or program employee must be:
Literate (able to read and write) in the language that the health care provider instructions and parental permissions are written. This includes medication labels, inserts, and print-outs for medications.
The course is written at a 9th grade literacy level. Please weigh this detail heavily into your decision of who should attend the course. Individuals who do not meet this requirement often do not pass the course.
Have current certification in first aid. *
Have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). *
Because of the testing and retesting if needed, the class is averaging 10 hours.
The participants should provide their own food and anticipate a “working” lunch.
*Proof of current first aid and CPR certifications, as well as a photo ID, are required. A provider will not be able to attend the class if the above verifications are not available at the start of the class. If you need a CPR/First Aid Class, please consider the Inova HealthSource classes.
Preparing Your Staff for the MAT Course
Whether you have never given medication to children or have been doing so for 20 years, this class gives you the guidelines that must be used in order to give medications to children correctly and safely in your centers. The class is intended to be 8 hours of instruction, not including testing time, where each participant will learn and practice giving medication to children.
We will supply all learning and practice materials the day of the class. Each participant must pass a 95 question written test and complete a skills demonstration test before they can receive a certificate of completion. Everything is open book and everyone is encouraged to use all the materials they receive at the class. Everyone will have two chances to pass each test. If a participant is unable to pass after two tries, they will not be able to give medication to children at their day center unless they take the entire class over again.
Because of the testing requirements, and retesting if needed, the class may last longer than 8 hours. The average that most instructors are seeing is about 10 hours. I understand this is a big change from the medication classes that you received in the past and it makes for a very long day for you and your staff. It is important that we start on time and that everyone understands that it is a lot of material to cover. Breaks and lunch will depend on the class participants and whether they want to break for lunch or have a working lunch.