QMA

Qualified Medication Aide

The Qualified Medication Aide shall administer and record certain prescribed medications for residents in the facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse and perform other functions as taught in the QMA curriculum.

Reports To: Supervising Nurse/or Director of Nursing

The prerequisites below are representative (and not an exhaustive collection) of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations that do not impose an undue hardship may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Professional Qualifications:

• Must be certified as Qualified Medication Aide in the State of Indiana.
• Must complete a State approved training program in medication administration.
• Must possess a current health certificate/examination as required by State agencies.
• Must perform only those duties that were taught in the approved training program.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Must demonstrate good judgment in seeking guidance and supervision from licensed personnel.
• Mature and emotionally stable.
• Must assume responsibility.
• Capable of following instructions and maintaining medical records.
• Ability to move throughout the facility most of the day, at times moderate to heavy lifting.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Exhibit patience and tact in dealing with residents, families, representatives, visitors, and employees.
• Ability to work under supervision and to cooperate with other staff.

This position is a job classification/category for which the employee's duties will cause the employee to have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material (i.e., body fluids).

Essential Job Functions:

• Prepare and safely administer and document regularly prescribed medications to residents.
• Administer, as allowed, oral PRN medications when authorized by a licensed nurse or physician.
• Understand that injectable medications must always be given by a licensed nurse, unless trained and certified in Insulin Injection.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge that appropriate vital signs will be taken and recorded as required before administering certain medications.
• Administer medications/treatments as taught per Indiana QMA curriculum.
• Remain knowledgeable of all procedures regarding medication errors.
• Demonstrate initiative and responsibility for checking physician's orders against medication administration records.
• Ensure medication room and/or cart is secured when it is unattended.
• Contact Supervising Nurse, as needed, to report absences, schedule or change of rest breaks, leave early, change work schedule, initial time sheet, change workstation and resolve job related problems.
• Receive and give report at change of shift, if applicable.
• Report all pertinent observations to the Supervising Nurse.
• Alert the Supervising Nurse when a resident condition is in need of assessment.
• Use of good judgment in administering medications as ordered by the physician.
• Display ability in observing and reporting adverse drug reaction(s).
• Demonstrate knowledge in using appropriate drug references.
• Display an awareness of cleanliness and proper maintenance of all medication carts/rooms and maintain a clean working environment.
• Direct nursing assistants, if applicable.
• Perform other duties as described in the nursing assistant job description.
• Attend in-services required to maintain Qualified Medication Aide Certification.
• Every call light and alarm is yours to answer promptly and courteously. Consider each light an emergency until answered.
• Clean working areas and utility rooms. Clean and store equipment properly and as scheduled.
• Report and document any accident or incident involving a resident, representative, employee, or visitor immediately to your supervisor.
• All other duties as assigned by the Supervising Nurse.

Physical, Sensory, and Communication Requirements:

• Ability to read and write in English, ability to communicate with residents, families, personnel and support agencies and ability to remain calm under stress.
• Bending, lifting, walking, grasping, fine hand coordination, ability to distinguish smells, tastes and temperatures, ability to discern colors, ability to hear and respond to pages.