Medication Technician

Job Title

Summary Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide a wide range of assistive care encompassing all adult daily living skills, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), wellness, recreational past times, and socialization. Responsible for the storage, distribution, and discontinuation of residents' medications, including keeping proper care records and reporting any changes in residents' health conditions. Assisting the resident to reach and maintain the highest level of functioning in a manner consistent with the mission of HAND Senior Living.

Essential Functions and Work Duties:

The following essential functions of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with the supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional work functions and duties may be assigned.

Resident Wellness Care:

Deliver quality resident care complying with HAND Senior Living's mission statement, HAND Senior Living's philosophy of care and state licensing regulations.

Pass medications as prescribed by the resident's physician, ensuring that medication is actually taken when given.

Receive any medications from the pharmacy, follow up on physician communications that have not had a response, audit MAR for transcription discrepancies and that all medication directions are exactly as indicated on the label and MAR. Ensure that all MARSs are signed for all medications given. Ensure that any PRN medications given are signed for on the back of the MAR and that effectiveness has been determined.

Audit medication cart for expired medications, meds that need to be ordered and organize cart for next shift.

Count narcotic medication with outgoing and oncoming shift med tech and give report.

Respond to resident pendants and call lights in a timely manner.

Check on residents who require two hour checks and complete documentation.

Assist residents who require assistance with getting up for meals, and/or who require escorts to and from the dining room.

Provide assistance with ADL's, bathing, dressing/undressing, grooming, personal hygiene, incontinence care, etc. as needed, complete and sign off on all ADL sheets as necessary.

Demonstrate knowledge of disease affecting residents.

Infection control.

Attend required in-service training pertaining to resident care and safety.

Resident and Family Relations:

Promote positive image of HAND Senior Living by treating residents, family, visitors, vendors, etc., in a respectful manner.

Address the resident by Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc., unless otherwise specified by the resident.

Demonstrate politeness, courtesy, and discretion at all times.

Maintain a positive attitude, support peers and supervisor.

Resident Activities:

Support Hand Senior Living activities program promoting independence, dignity, and autonomy.

Assist Hand Senior Living's Activity Coordinator as requested.

Direct individual and group activities as requested.

Behavior Management:

Offer consistent reassurance and positive reinforcements managing difficult behaviors.

Involving environment, tasks, communication.

Involving physical and emotional health, angry agitated behavior.

Assist with bathing, incontinence, dressing, eating, and sleeping.

Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and related side effects.

Report conditions to supervisor.

Communication:

Communicate effectively with residents, staff, visitors, etc. in a courteous and pleasant manner.

Communicate in a pleasant and courteous manner at all times.

Maintain patience, tact and emotional maturity when communicating with residents and family members.

Treat residents with consideration and dignity.

Demonstrate understanding of communication problems related to disabilities associated with stroke, dementia, or deafness.

Resident Rights:

Have full knowledge and understanding of resident rights.

Report any suspected elder abuse (physical, mental, emotional, sexual, verbal or fiduciary) to Department of Aging Services. Report to supervisor/Administrator immediately.

Promote residents' rights, dignity, autonomy, and independence.

Confidentiality:

Keep all information confidential concerning Hand Senior Living residents, family members and staff consistent with HIPAA regulations.

Maintain confidentiality of residents, both verbal and printed form.

Refrain from discussing resident issues.

Comply with HIPAA regulations at all times.

Safety:

Promote a safe and secure environment while maintaining independence, autonomy, and dignity of the residents.

Remove residents from any unsafe situations immediately.

Report safety issues: frayed electrical wiring, loose carpeting, broken equipment, or any unsafe condition to supervisor.

Complete work order for the Maintenance director.

Use appropriate body mechanics when lifting, moving, and/or transferring residents.

Obtain assistance from other staff as necessary.

Use appropriate safety equipment when needed.

Food Services, Housekeeping and Laundry:

Provide quality services in all aspects of a resident's life.

Assist kitchen staff taking food orders, serving residents, aid in opening small packages, pouring beverages, cutting meats, etc., as needed.

Make beds, "tidy up" rooms, bathroom, and spot-clean carpets.

Assist with resident laundry, including gathering, sorting, washing, drying, folding clothing and other linen items (i.e., bedding, towels, etc.) and returning laundered items to the resident's unit.

Clean/mop spills immediately.

Maintain clean working stations.

Teamwork:

Demonstrate willingness to assist staff members in other departments.

Respond to requests for assistance in a positive and timely manner.

Provide quality service in non-health care areas.

Participate in weekly Care Team meeting.

Implement specific procedures and programs; insure confidentiality of all information.

Cooperate with, participate in, and support the adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and practices in support of risk management and overall safety and soundness.

Other Functions and Work Duties:

Perform other duties as from time to time may be determined necessary for the well-being of the total operation.

Coordinate specific work tasks with other personnel within the department as well as with other departments in order to ensure the smooth and accurate flow of work and information.

Perform tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, but which may be altered or re-designed upon individual circumstances.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and have a High School Diploma or equivalent.

Must have current First Aid and/or CPR Training or be able to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment.

Must possess valid Medication Technician certification, or have the ability to obtain certification within 90 of employment.

Minimum of one (1) year experience providing care to seniors.

Certified Nursing Assistant or Residential Assistant Training preferred.

Must have reliable transportation.

Must be able to obtain a Sheriffs Work Card

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to read, write and speak in English.

Must meet health assessment requirements and be able to perform each of the essential position function.

A sincere interest and desire to work with a geriatric population.

Demonstrate knowledge of geriatric care: dentures, nails, hearing aides, bathing, dressing/undressing, grooming, incontinence/perennial care, ambulation, signs of sudden illness, pharmacology/side effect.

Have motivation and the ability to work with a team; ability to motivate people; ability to effectively communicate with staff, residents, families, ability to work varied hours.

Physical Requirements:

Body agility is important: maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching.

Standing and walking is required for the majority of time spent in the assisted living community (6-8 hours). Standing in one position is required while performing certain aspects of resident care.

Stooping - frequently bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back