Certified Medication Aide

Certified Medication Aide (Healthcare)

• 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 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 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 destruction 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 labeling policies and practices of the facility; ensure that all medications administered are properly labeled.
• Follow facility procedures in regard to charting medications and 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, and ensure that documentation of the error includes a written 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 the 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 their 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 and 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 the facility's information system.
• Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with established policies and procedures, and as instructed by supervisors; follow work assignments and/or work schedules to complete and perform assigned tasks.
• Cooperate with interdepartmental personnel, as well as other facility personnel to ensure that nursing services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of residents.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information (PHI) and report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
• Supervisory Requirements:
  This position has no supervisor responsibilities.

• 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…