Certified Medication Aide - Gardens of Westbrooke

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in the administering of medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician, under the direction of the attending physician, the nurse supervisor and the Director of Nursing Services. The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, the policies, procedures, and practices of this facility, and the requirements of this state. Provide each of your residents with routine daily nursing care and services in accordance with the resident’s assessment and care plan as directed by your supervisor ,to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As Certified Medication Aide you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. 

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

 Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents.

Note and report errors in the administration of medications.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.

Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required.

Record all entries on flow sheets, reports, studies, charting, etc., in an informative and descriptive manner.

Use only authorized abbreviations established by this facility when recording information.

Report all changes in the resident’s condition to the Charge Nurse as soon as practical.

Report all accident/incidents you observe on the shift they occur.

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 facility’s information system.

Fill out Nursing Care Charge Slips as directed.

Drug Administration functions

 Prepare and administer medications as ordered by physician.

Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication/treatment.

Ensure that prescribed medication for one resident is not administered to another.

Ensure that an adequate supply of supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet the nursing needs of the resident’s. Report needs to the Nurse Supervisor.

Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary, and in accordance with established policies.

Ensure that the narcotic records are accurate for your shift. Count all narcotics before and after your shift to ensure accuracy.

Notify the Nurse Supervisor/Director of all drug and narcotic discrepancies noted on your shift.

Review medication cards for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of the physician’s order, and adherence to stop order policies.

Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established procedures.

                                           Personnel Functions

 Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with our established policies and procedures, and as instructed by your supervisors. 

Follow work assignments, and/or work schedules in completing and performing your assigned tasks. 

Cooperate with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to ensure that nursing services and activities can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.

Meet with your shift’s nursing personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and /or the improvement of services.

Report complaints and grievances made by residents or families.

Notify the facility when you will be late or absent from work. Follow established call out policy.

Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.

Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Nursing Care Functions

Participate in and receive the nursing report upon reporting to work.

Follow established policies concerning exposure to blood/body fluids.

Assist residents with daily dental and mouth care as directed.

Assist residents with bath functions as directed.

Assist residents with nail care as directed. (NOTE: does not include diabetic residents.)

Assist residents with dressing/undressing as directed.

Assist residents with hair care functions as directed.

Shave male residents as directed.

Assist in keeping resident’s living quarters and work areas clean and orderly. This may include doing or assistance with laundry and bed making.

Assist residents with bowl movements and bladder functions.

Collect specimens as instructed (i.e., urine, sputum, stool, etc.)

Assist residents in preparing for activity and social programs.

Assist in transporting residents to/from appointments, activity and social programs, etc., as necessary.

Assist with lifting, turning, moving, positioning, and transporting residents into and out of beds, chairs, bathtubs, wheelchairs, etc.

Weigh residents as instructed.

Answer resident calls as promptly as feasible.

Check each resident routinely to ensure that his/her personal care needs are being met in accordance with his/her wishes.

Assist with care of the dying resident.

Provide post-mortem care as instructed.

Observe and report the presence of pressure areas and skin breakdowns to your supervisor.

Report injuries of an unknown source, including skin tears.

Provide daily perineal care.

Assist with the application of slings, elastic bandages, etc.

Food Service Functions

Prepare residents for meals (i.e., take to bathroom, wash hands, take to/from dining room, etc.)

Serve food trays. Assist with feeding as indicated (i.e., cutting foods, assist in ding room supervision, etc.).

Assist residents with identifying food arrangements (i.e., informing resident with sight problem of food that are on his/her plate, where it is located, etc.).

Staff Development

Attend and participate in scheduled training and educational classes to maintain current certification.

Attend and participate in scheduled orientation programs and activities.

Attend and participate in facility in-servicing programs as instructed.

Safety and Sanitation

 Participate in appropriate in-servicing training programs prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids.

Wash hands before and after performing any service for the resident.

Immediately notify the Nurse Supervisor of any resident leaving/missing from the facility.

Follow established safety precautions in the performance of all duties.

Report spills and unsafe conditions immediately.

Clean, disinfect, and return all resident care equipment to its designated storage areas after each use

 Follow established isolation precautions and procedures.

Wear and /or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, etc.) when lifting and moving residents.

Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to your supervisor.

Equipment and Supplies

Use only the equipment you have been trained to use.

 Operate all equipment in a safe manner.

Use only the equipment and supplies necessary to do the job. Do not be wasteful.

Report defective equipment to you supervisor.

Inform the Nurse Supervisor of your equipment and supply needs.

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report  known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Ensure that you treat all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that you knock before entering the resident's apartment.

 Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

Honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Report such requests to your supervisor.

Working Conditions

Works throughout the nursing service area (i.e. drug rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc).

Moves intermittently during working hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates nursing personnel, and other department personnel.

Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g. severe weather, evacuations, post-disaster, etc.).

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reaction from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. 

Experience

On-the-job training provided

Specific Requirements

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age –related needs of the residents served.

Must be supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and  team concept.

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age –related needs of the residents served.

Must be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Must possess the ability to and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.