Medication Aide

General Purpose

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in the administering 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, the policies, procedures, and practices of this facility, and the requirements of this state.

Essential Duties

• Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents.

• Note and report errors in the administration of medications

• Assist in developing and implementing procedures or programs of the facility that seek to determine what medication errors are taking place, when, where, and why they occur, and how they can be prevented. • Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, etc., and submit these as may be required.

• Maintain a friendly, productive, working relationship with other members of the department of nursing, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.

• Report any complaints or grievances made by residents to the Director of Nursing Services.

• Participate and cooperate with any facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services. • Participate in Quality Assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and any other facility committee or program that affects the medication pass and seeks to improve the performance and accuracy of the medication process.

• Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document the oral and/or topical medications that are commonly used in this facility and that may be ordered for resident use by the attending physician or the Medical Director.

• Verify that any medications brought into the facility by a newly admitted resident are examined and identified by the attending physician or the facility pharmacy or pharmacist • 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 the documentation requirements.

• Follow the labeling policies and practices of the facility.

• Ensure that all medications administered are properly labeled.

• Follow facility procedures in regard to charting medications.

• Assist in documenting and removing medications that are discontinued by the attending physician.

• Follow facility procedures governing drug receipt errors, including notifying the delivery source and the Director of Nursing Services.

• Ensure that documentation of the drug receipt error includes a written error report, signed by an observer/witness and you.

• Follow facility procedures in holding medications for residents who are transferred from the facility or when the attending physician discontinues medications

• 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.

• Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication treatment.

• Accurately measure, record, and report the vital signs of residents.

• Follow the facility's procedures allowing residents to self-administer his or her medications.

• 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, pharmacists, and physicians.

• 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

• Agree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

• Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility's information system.

• Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with our established policies and procedures, and as instructed by your supervisors.

• Follow work assignments, and/or work schedules in completing and performing your assigned tasks.

• Cooperate with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other facility personnel to ensure that nursing services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Supervisory Requirements

This position has no supervisor responsibilities

Qualification

Education and/or Experience

Must possess, as a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must be a licensed Medication Aide having successfully completed a state approved training program and any necessary examination(s) in accordance with state laws.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Prolonged use of a desktop or laptop computer.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and talk, read or hear.

Frequent use of all office-related equipment to include; copier/scanner/fax, telephone, and calculator.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Additional Information

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.