Certified Medication Aides

Overview

Trinity Healthcare is a Fort Worth, Texas based company specializing in the operation and management of skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice services. With an emphasis on treating our residents, patients and employees like family, we engage licensed administrators, registered nurses, social workers, licensed therapists, physicians, pharmacist and dietitians to develop a care plan to meet the needs of the communities that we serve.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the job is to prepare, administer, report and record medications according to physicians orders and established policies and procedures and to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

• Uses appropriate medical terminology and approved abbreviations.
• Assures accurate shiftly narcotic and key count and medication disposal per policy.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of drugs and their side effects specific to the elderly population.
• Follows the 5 rights when administering medications.
• Accurately and legibly records drug administration and resident reaction to medications in the appropriate records.
• Reorders medicine from pharmacy by fax. Reports to the charge nurse when medications are unavailable.
• Keeps medication cart adequately stocked. Curbs waste. Keeps med. room clean and orderly.
• Reviews medication administration records for changes in orders. Takes required vital signs prior to med. pass. Reports to charge nurse any deviation in vital signs.
• Starts and completes medication pass within one hour before and after time ordered. Is aware of most common adverse reactions. Is aware of medications that cannot be altered or crushed.
• Stays with resident until medicine is swallowed.
• Records medicine as given immediately after giving.
• Administers different eye drops no closer than 5 minutes apart.
• Administers different inhalers no closer than 5 minutes apart. Waits at least one minute between puffs of same inhaler. Cleans and stores inhalation equipment.
• Washes hands with soap and water before and after each dosage and between patients for all ear, eye, and nasal medications and topical patches.
• Uses accurate measuring device when administering liquid medications. Pours liquid medicine from side opposite label. Keeps bottle clean.
• Records time and reason P.R.N. med. was given. Checks back with resident after 30 minutes to determine effectiveness of med. and records results.
• Never leaves the med. cart unlocked when unattended.
• Keeps top of med. cart free of all items except acceptable paper products.
• Has med. cart keys in possession while on duty at all times.
• Complies with direction from the charge nurse, ADON, DON.
• Promptly and courteously answers call lights within 5 minutes.
• Reports off to the charge nurse before leaving the unit for any reason.
• Leaves for and returns promptly from breaks at scheduled times.
• Begins work at scheduled starting time. Does not leave assigned work area prior to quitting time.
• Is punctual and works scheduled days. Follows facility policy for absenteeism and tardiness.
• Follows facility policy regarding eating, drinking and smoking while on duty.
• Does not abuse company work time with unnecessary personal phone calls.
• Works harmoniously with other staff members. Does not interfere or interrupt the flow of work on the unit.
• Promotes a positive image of the facility by displaying cooperation, exhibiting a positive attitude and maintaining a polite, courteous manner when dealing with all customers.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.

• Attends a minimum of 12 mandatory in services per year.
• Maintains a neat personal appearance at all times. Follows facility established dress code.

• Use gait belt for all patient transfers and ambulation. Ask for help when needed. Utilize good body mechanics.
• Report all incidents and accidents immediately.
• Correct all unsafe and hazardous conditions and equipment immediately.
• Make use of all appropriate protective devices/clothing on hand for handling infectious waste and or body/blood fluids.
• Keep hallways clear of clutter. All carts to the same side of the hall.
• Participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
• Can verbalize process of emergency procedures, fire drills, evacuation procedure, etc. Knows location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire exits.
• Knows location of MSDS manuals. Keeps chemicals and hazardous materials stored in a locked area.
• Utilize infection control and universal precautions to assure that a sanitary environment is maintained at all times and that aseptic and isolation techniques are followed.

• Is aware of residents rights and abides by them.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.
• Assure the residents’ property and personal rights are followed at all times, including knocking…