Certified Medication Aid (part time, Thurs-Sat)

Pure Health • Albuquerque, NM

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Medication Aide provides medication management and assistance with activities of daily living for residents in a post-acute nursing facility. Under the direction of the attending physician, nurse supervisor or charge nurse, and Director of Nursing Services, the aide assists with medication administration in accordance with nursing standards, facility policies and procedures, and state requirements. The role also supports resident safety, dignity, comfort, and rights; documents care and medication administration; communicates changes in residents’ conditions; and contributes to effective teamwork and facility operations.

The position operates in a post-acute setting that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It involves regular walking throughout the facility and contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. The employee is expected to follow facility policies, infection-control and safety practices, and HIPAA requirements. Weekend and holiday shifts are required. Although the title identifies the role as part time, the posting’s Position Type section describes it as full time.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current C.N.A. certification issued by the state.
• Current Certified Medication Aide certification.
• Current BLS (CPR) certification.
• Ability to recognize and respond to emergency care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance, including recognizing the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and responding to choking.
• Self-directed and able to work with minimal direct supervision.
• Basic computer skills.
• Proficiency in English, with good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to respond courteously to immediate customer needs, establish priorities, and maintain productivity despite interruptions.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, professional relationships with team members, customers, and visitors, and to work effectively with diverse people.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and frequently lifting or moving items over 60 pounds.
• Ability to work required weekend and holiday shifts.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Certified Medication Aide who has successfully completed a state-approved training program and any required examinations in accordance with state law.

Responsibilities

• Represent the facility positively and foster empathy and respect for residents and team members.
• Maintain productive working relationships with nursing department members, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacist.
• Administer prescribed medications and treatments to assigned residents at appropriate times and within certification or licensure; use the five rights and verify resident identity.
• Sign off on medications when administered and document medication administration in real time.
• Follow facility medication-administration, labeling, storage, receipt, destruction, discontinuation, transfer, and self-administration procedures.
• Report medication errors, adverse reactions, refusals, and failures to take self-administered medications promptly to the appropriate nurse or Director of Nursing Services.
• Ensure medication is administered only with a written, signed, dated physician order; record order details in the resident’s clinical record as required.
• Verify medications brought in by newly admitted residents are examined and identified by the appropriate clinician or pharmacy representative.
• Measure, record, and report residents’ vital signs; recheck vital signs and blood pressure as needed and follow applicable protocols for abnormal readings.
• Observe whether medication is taken or applied as directed and document instances when prescribed medication is not administered, including reasons for refusal.
• Complete required forms, charts, reports, and other administrative documentation accurately and on time.
• Report resident complaints, grievances, possible resolutions, changes in condition or behavior, unusual occurrences, care concerns, hazardous conditions, and suspected abuse or rights violations to the appropriate supervisor.
• Assist with residents’ activities of daily living, including hygiene, social and wellness activities, dining, safety and evacuations, bathing, dressing, and transportation.
• Assist residents in the dining room by serving, bussing, taking orders, and refilling beverages.
• Conduct regular resident rounds to anticipate needs and respond promptly and appropriately.
• Direct certified nursing assistants regarding resident care as appropriate and report care concerns or changes in resident status to the charge nurse.
• Protect residents’ privacy, dignity, comfort, and rights, including honoring refusals of treatment or medication and reporting refusals as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of protected health information and promptly report suspected or known privacy violations.
• Participate in facility surveys, resident assessments, continuing education, annual in-service training, and customer or service improvement initiatives as applicable.
• Use personal protective equipment when procedures involve exposure to blood or body fluids; wash hands before and after resident services and follow infection-control and safety practices.
• Keep work areas organized, log off unattended departmental computer workstations, maintain a clean and professional appearance, and report staff concerns to the Nurse Manager.
• Attend to emergencies and intervene within the scope of training while waiting for assistance.
• Follow facility procedures and policies and report suspected fraud or other incidents to the appropriate administrator.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement and professional license renewal reimbursement.
• Free continuing education units (CEUs).
• 401(k) plan.
• Rewards and recognition through the CareHeroes Program, including gift cards for great performance.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Professional career growth.
• Advance pay benefit providing more flexibility in accessing pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED