Position Summary
The Certified Medication Aide is an essential role that provides medication management and assistance with activities of daily living for residents of the nursing facility. The Certified Medication Aide is responsible for assisting in the administration of medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician, under the direction of the attending physician, the nurse supervisor or charge nurse, and the Director of Nursing Services. The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, policies and procedure and practices of this facility, and the requirements of this state.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Represents the Facility in a positive manner by creating an environment that fosters empathy and respect for residents and team members.
- Maintain a friendly, productive, working relationship with other members of the department of nursing, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacist.
- Administers prescription medication at the appropriate times for assigned unit during shift.
- Accountable for signing off on all medications at the time of administration.
- Responsible for real-time documentation of medication administration.
- Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents.
- Note and report errors in the administration of medications to Supervisor.
- Administer all medications and treatments only within licensure/certification.
- Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, etc. and submit theses as may be required.
- Report any complaints or grievances and possible resolutions made by residents to the Director of Nursing.
- Participate and cooperate with any facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services.
- Agree not to disclose residents protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to Administrator.
- Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document the oral and/or topical medications that are commonly used in thus facility and that may be ordered for resident use by attending physician, pharmacist or Charge Nurse.
- Verify that medications brought into the facility by newly admitted residents are examined and identified by the attending physician or the facility pharmacy, pharmacist, or Charge Nurse.
- Follow the labeling policies and practices of the facility.
- Make certain that all medications administered are properly labeled.
- Administer medications and treatments according to standard nursing practice, using the 5 rights to ensure resident safety.
- Follow facility policies and procedures regarding the destroying of medications, assist in carrying out these rules under the direction of the facility pharmacist, or Director of Nursing Services, including documentation requirements.
- Assist in documenting and removing medications that are discontinued by the attending physician.
- Follow facility procedures governing drug receipts errors, including notifying the delivery source and the Director of Nursing Services.
- Ensure medication is returned and reordered except emergency drugs.
- Follow facility procedures in holding medications for residents who are transferred from the facility or when the attending physician discontinues medications.
- Accurately measure, record, and report the vital signs of residents.
- Observe and verify that medication is ingested or applied as directed. Document any instance where prescribed medication is not administered, including reason(s) for refusal.
- Promptly notify the Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, or Director of Nursing Services of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.
- Ensure the no medication is administered without a written, signed, dated order from an attending physician.
- Follow the facility procedure for recording the order in the resident’s clinical record, including the type, route, dosage, frequency and strength of each medication.
- Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication treatment.
- Follow the facility’s procedures allowing residents to self-administer his or her medications.
- Promptly notify the Nurse Supervisor/ Charge Nurse of any failure of a resident to properly take “self-administered” medications or refusal to take medications. Document as appropriate.
- Follow established guidelines concerning the storage of drugs and biologicals.
- Be familiar with the meaning and usage of common medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms relative to the administration of medications as used by the facility, pharmacist, and physicians.
- Participate in the development and implementation of the resident’s comprehensive assessment as necessary.
- Communicate timely with the nurse manager or appropriate designee any observed changes in resident’s condition/ behavior, unusual occurrences or reactions to medication.
- Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to Administrator.
- Make certain that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off.
- Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your certification on a current status.
- Direct certified nursing assistants with resident care as appropriate. Report care concerns or resident status change to Charge Nurse.
- Attend annual in-service training programs as scheduled.
- Use personal protective equipment when performing procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
- Wash hands before and after performing any service for the resident.
- Report all hazardous conditions and equipment to the nurse supervisor/charge nurse immediately.
- Follow established safety precautions in the performance of all duties.
- Practice infection control to include good hand hygiene, and appropriate handling of infectious materials per facility policy.
- Knock before entering the resident’s room.
- Report incidents or suspected incidents of resident abuse to the DON immediately.
- Honor the resident’s refusal of treatments or medications request.
- Report a resident’s refusal of treatment or medications to the nurse supervisor/charge nurse.
- Assists resident with the activities of daily living which include but are not limited to personal hygiene, social and wellness activities, dining, safety and evacuations, bathing, dressing, and transporting.
- Provides assistance to residents in the dining room including serving, bussing, order taking, and the refilling of beverage.
- Responsible for regular rounding with residents to anticipate and identify needs and respond timely and appropriately.
- Fully understand all aspects of residents’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse.
- Responsible for promptly reporting incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents' rights.
- Maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of each resident in the delivery of services to them.
- Ensure uniform and personal appearance is clean and professional.
- Observe staff, notify Nurse Manager of any concerns. Includes gait belt, nails and hair
- May participate in interdisciplinary customer and service improvement initiatives.
- Resolve issues: - recheck vitals, B/P using manual instrument, fully understand protocols for lows and highs B/P and H/R
Competencies
- Thoroughly completes assignments
- Performs assigned treatment according to patient plan of care
- Reports timely changes in patient’s condition to appropriate party
- ADL documentation is accurate
- Accurately documents in real-time
- Has good knowledge of equipment in patient care areas
- Treatments and procedures performed accurately and with good technique
- Demonstrates a tidy and organized workspace
Birchwood Culture
Birchwood is a high-performance environment propelled by collaboration through our Teams of Excellence (T.O.E.) Program. The expectation for each team member is to engage in our complex and dynamic organization by adding value and support to fellow team members.
Work Environment
This job operates in a post-acute setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the facility. This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. Team member is expected to adhere to facility’s policies.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 60 pounds.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position in a post-acute setting that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Weekend and holiday shifts will be required
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
HIPAA
Team members are required to adhere to policies and procedures implementing HIPAA requirements for the privacy and security of protected health information. Team members are permitted to use and/or disclose only minimum amount of Protected Health Information necessary to complete assigned tasks. Reports all suspected violation of company’s HIPAA policies or procedures to facility CEO.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to recognize and react to emergent care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance, i.e. recognizing need for basic life support, control bleeding, choking, etc.
- Self-directing with the ability to work with minimal direct supervision.
- Basic computer skills.
- Proficient with English language. Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Flexibility in responding courteously to immediate needs of internal and external customers; ability to establish priorities and maintain productivity despite numerous interruptions.
- Ability to establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with team members, customers and visitors; cultural sensitivity and ability to relate well and effectively in diverse workplace and with a diverse customer population.
Required Education/Experience
- High School Diploma/Equivalent
- Current C.N.A certification issued by the State
- Current Certified Medication Aide certification
- Current BLS (CPR) certification
Preferred Education/Experience
Must be a licensed Certified Medication Aide having successfully completed a state approved training program and any necessary examination(s) in accordance with laws of this State.