Medication Specialist - Askia

Job Description

Job Description

Medication Specialist - Askia

• Approved Salary: $22-$25/hr, depending on relevant experience, education and certification/training
• Schedule: Full-time; onsite in Roxbury, MA; may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts

The Dimock Center seeks a compassionate, detail-oriented professional committed to medication safety, resident care, and excellence in behavioral health services. You will support the safe, effective, and compliant management of medications for residents in a BSAS-licensed Co-Occurring Enhanced (COE) Residential program while working closely with nurses, providers, pharmacies, and the interdisciplinary treatment team.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center dedicated to healing and uplifting individuals, families, and communities. We aim to redefine healthy communities by ensuring equitable access to comprehensive healthcare and education while fostering a culture of respect, excellence, and inclusion.

Our Behavioral Health Services provide residential and outpatient treatment for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders-programs that often save lives.

Summary/Objective
The Medication Specialist plays an essential role in ensuring residents receive medications safely and in accordance with program policies, BSAS requirements, nursing standards, and applicable federal and state regulations. You will support medication self-administration, reconciliation, documentation, secure storage, monitoring, and coordination of medications throughout admission, treatment, discharge, and transitions of care. This position works closely with program nurses and the interdisciplinary treatment team to communicate medication-related concerns, coordinate with providers and pharmacies, and support continuity of medication treatment.

Essential Functions

• Support the coordination and management of residents' prescribed medications in accordance with program policies and applicable regulations.
• Complete medication reconciliation and obtain accurate medication information during admission, transfer, and discharge.
• Receive, verify, document, securely store, and maintain medications according to established procedures.
• Support and oversee resident self-administration of prescribed medications in accordance with program policies and BSAS requirements.
• Administer medications only within the scope of applicable credentials, training, certification, and regulations.
• Maintain accurate and timely medication administration records and other required clinical documentation.
• Maintain medication inventories, conduct medication counts and reconciliation, and promptly address discrepancies.
• Monitor residents for medication effectiveness, adverse reactions, side effects, missed doses, and other medication-related concerns.
• Provide residents with appropriate support, reminders, and education regarding medication adherence and safe medication practices.
• Promptly communicate significant medication concerns to nurses, prescribers, clinical supervisors, or other qualified professionals.
• Coordinate with pharmacies, hospitals, detoxification programs, outpatient providers, and prescribing clinicians to support continuity of medication treatment.
• Follow established procedures for controlled substances and medications requiring special handling, documentation, counting, or monitoring.
• Maintain secure medication storage and immediately report discrepancies, errors, losses, suspected diversion, or other concerns.
• Ensure medication storage areas, including refrigerators, are clean, secure, and maintained at appropriate temperatures.
• Assist with the proper handling and disposal of expired, discontinued, or unused medications.
• Participate in medication-related admissions, discharges, and transitions of care.
• Support medication-assisted treatment (MAT/MOUD) and other evidence-based pharmacological interventions within the scope of applicable credentials and program protocols.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and communicate medication-related observations that may affect resident treatment or safety.
• Respond appropriately to medication emergencies and follow established emergency and incident-reporting procedures.
• Participate in medication audits, quality assurance, and performance-improvement activities.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable BSAS requirements, medication policies, infection-control practices, emergency procedures, and standards of care.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect resident confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and applicable laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position and needs of the residential program as needed.

Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate medication records and documentation.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, nurses, providers, pharmacies, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical standards.
• Ability to remain professional and effective in stressful situations.
• Commitment to safe, respectful, and high-quality resident care.

Work Environment
BSAS-licensed Co-Occurring Enhanced (COE) Residential treatment environment. Ability to access medication storage areas and maintain medication documentation systems.

Physical Demands
Ability to stand, sit, and walk throughout the facility. Light physical demands, including lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with a vulnerable population required.
• Education or training in medication management, behavioral health, substance use disorders, nursing, human services, or a related field preferred.
• Relevant experience in residential substance use treatment, behavioral health, medication management, or residential care preferred.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Health Sciences, Human Services, Behavioral Health, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Current Medication Specialist Certification required.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required within 90 days of hire.
• Must complete applicable BSAS-required Medication Specialist training and competency requirements.
• Must demonstrate competency in medication storage, documentation, medication reconciliation/coordination, and oversight of self-administration.
• Must meet all agency and applicable state requirements for the position.

EEO Statement
The Dimock Center values diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.