QMA (Qualified Medication Aide) - PRN

Primary Duty

The primary purpose of the Medication Technician is to administer medications to community residents and monitor resident reactions to medications, under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prepares and administers medications to residents in compliance with all related policies and procedures and regulations governing nursing practice.
• Counts dosages and documents the number of narcotics and other drugs at the beginning and end of each shift as directed.
• Reviews residents’ medical record and medication administration record (MAR) for new medication orders, changes in medication orders and the overall accuracy of MAR including resident allergies, medication contraindications, expected medication action vs. suspected adverse action and reports discrepancies to the supervising nurse.
• Monitors resident vital signs; observes residents for expected reactions; observes reportable, suspected and adverse reactions to medications administered.
• Orders and replaces medications and medication administration supplies as directed.
• Prepares verbal and written reports related to successful or unsuccessful medication administration, changes in resident condition and/or departures from usual and routine organizational operations.
• Meets with Wellness Director to report, review and discuss medication administration process and actively participates in performance improvement activities related to medication administration.
• Maintains and cleans medication cart, refrigerator and work area.
• Maintains confidentiality of all resident information and ensures resident privacy in accordance with HIPAA and community guidelines.
• Reports any issues or problems that may arise to the Wellness Director and/or Executive Director.
• Complies with state, federal, and all other applicable health care and safety standards.
• Assists families and other visitors as needed.
• Attends/completes required in-services and other required meetings.
• Performs other duties as directed.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of previous long-term care experience preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must hold a current and valid Medication Technician certification as applicable in the state of operation.
• Reading Ability - Able to read and interpret written information.
• Written Communication - Able to write clearly and informative.
• Verbal Communication - Able to talk to others to convey information effectively.
• Reasoning Ability - Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple written or oral instructions.
• Medicine - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, drug properties and interactions, and preventive healthcare measures.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles for providing customer and personal services. This includes meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Organizational Support - Follows company policies and procedures.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; advises for additional resources in needed.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Arrives to work/meetings on time.
• Dependability - Completes tasks accurately and on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Various medical equipment, including, but not limited to, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, Accu-Check machine, thermometer, weight scales, etc.
• The associate is occasionally required to wear protective clothing.
• The associate may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, odors and airborne particles, dust or fumes.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is frequently required to talk or hear, stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel or crouch, use hands to grasp, manipulate or feel objects and reach with hands and arms. The associate is occasionally required to smell.
• The associate must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds unassisted (medication cart). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Provides direct resident care, meal service and other relevant nursing assistant duties as assigned.
• Participates in designing and implementing resident care plans in relation to medication administration.
• Promotes and supports the greatest possible degree of independence for residents.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS  of this position are generally as follows:

• This position informally supervises RA’s, as directed by the Wellness Director.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE  an equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.

• Must hold or be eligible for CPR and First-Aid certifications as required in the state of operation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES  which may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language.
• Math Ability - Knowledge of basic arithmetic.

COMPUTER SKILLS/EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM THE JOB  which may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES  commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is frequently required to talk or hear, stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel or crouch, use hands to grasp, manipulate or feel objects and reach with hands and arms. The associate is occasionally required to smell.
• The associate must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds unassisted (medication cart).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.