Certified Medication Aide

POSITION SUMMARY

The medication aide position provides quality nursing care to residents by safely preparing, administering and recording medications ordered by providers to maintain health, prevent disease, relieve symptoms, supply a body need, and/or cure a disease. The position will accurately administer the right medication, to the right resident, with the right method, at the right dosage, at the right time and to record such transaction accurately.

Base wage (without shift differentials): $21.95 - 24.35/hour

+ 2nd Shift Differential: $5.20/hour

+ Weekend Shift Differential: $4.50/hour

2pm - 10pm; every other weekend and holiday.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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

A. Quality Nursing Care

• Administer all medications specified in the facilities medication administration procedures.
• Administer all medications by following the "FIVE RIGHTS" – Right resident, Right medication, Right dosage, Right time, Right route.
• Ensure all medications given have a follow a provider's order.
• Report any change in condition of the resident to the nurse prior to administering any medication.
• Observe resident's mental and physical status before administering any medication, and if questionable, report to the nurse for evaluation prior to administering the medication (ex. Sedative to a lethargic resident).
• Notify nurse if any medication is refused.
• Notify nurse if any medication appears different, such as color, consistency, odor, etc., prior to giving to resident.
• Document all medications after administration, never before administration, per the facility's documentation procedures.
• May administer eye/ear drops and eye ointments unless specifically ordered for a licensed nurse to administer, such as in case of a ruptured eardrum.
• May administer all oral medications including Schedule II drugs.
• An RN must be notified if a PRN medication is requested. The RN may delegate to the medication aide to provide the medication.
• An RN will co-sign for any PRN narcotics that are provided to a resident.
• Suppositories for bowel programs may be administered by a Medication Aide after approval by an RN.
• Transdermal patches can be administered by Medication Aides with the RN to co-sign for the medication.
• Maintenance doses of Coumadin may be given by Medication Aides.
• All specific instructions (ex. Check B/P, check AP, crush meds, etc.) will be followed by the Medication Aide. The RN will provide directions to individual resident medication administration as needed. If blood pressure apical pulse, etc. do not meet the parameters established by the provider, it will be reported to the nurse prior to giving the medication.
• All medication errors will be immediately reported to the RN and a "Medication Error Report" completed.
• Perform Accu-Check tests as ordered by the provider. All resulting blood sugars will be reported to the nurse and the results will be charted as directed.
• Provide nebulizer treatments as ordered by provider.
• May provide insulin as ordered by provider after blood sugar checks are reported.
• Perform treatments, such as creams, as delegated by the RN.

Medication Aide cannot:

• Perform injections, other than insulin
• Perform any procedures through a tube
• Perform any dressing changes or wound treatments

B. Resident Rights Awareness

• Provides individualized attention, which encourages each resident's ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.
• Maintains the comfort and safety, privacy, and dignity of residents in the delivery of services to them. Interacts with residents in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment.
• Fully understands all aspects of resident's rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse (from staff, other residents, visitors and family). Responsible for promptly reporting to the charge nurse or administrative staff of incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of resident rights.
• Protects the personal belongings of each resident, including eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, furnishings, jewelry, clothing and memorabilia. Promptly…