Certified Med Aide

THE WESLEY•Hutchinson, KS

154d•$17 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Medication Aide (CMA) works under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and serves as a role model for CNAs. The position provides medication administration and personal care to residents in a manner that promotes safety, comfort, flexibility, dignity, and overall well-being. Duties are performed in accordance with recognized standards, Kansas law, and Wesley Towers’ mission. The CMA also supports residents’ independence, follows their plans of care, documents care, communicates changes and concerns to nursing staff, and helps maintain a safe care environment.

Requirements

Current Certified Medication Aide certification in accordance with Kansas law.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Maintain a current CMA certificate by completing 10 hours of prescribed continuing education every two years.
Ability to communicate with team members and residents.
Positive attitude toward ill and elderly people.
Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stress associated with the position.
Flexibility to accommodate schedule changes.
Patience, tact, and effective communication with residents, families, and staff.
Good eyesight to observe residents, provide nursing care, read thermometers, and complete documentation.
Ability to hear normal and soft tones, including resident calls, and distinguish smells.
Ability to remain calm and non-threatening when responding to residents with dementia who may become violent, combative, or aggressive.
Familiarity with and ability to operate special equipment used for residents’ care.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, squat, reach above the head, and crawl in case of fire.
Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds unassisted.
Ability to grasp and perform fine manipulation with both hands.
Ability to push and pull carts and push residents in wheelchairs.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Previous experience in geriatric care desired.

Responsibilities

Prepare and administer prescribed oral and topical medications according to the plan of care, using the five rights of medication administration.
Document medication administration and PRN medication outcomes; report stop orders, supply needs, medications for destruction, and medication errors to licensed nurses.
Assist with removal of discontinued medications, count controlled medications with a licensed nurse, and keep the medication cart clean and stocked.
Identify residents using photographs before administering treatments or medications.
Treat residents with dignity and respect, uphold resident rights, and support independence and choice according to each resident’s plan of care.
Assist with implementing plans of care and interpreting them for CNAs; model quality nursing care.
Pass medications to assigned residents as required by shift assignment.
Build supportive relationships with residents, families, and visitors, and answer call lights promptly.
Share input for resident assessments and care planning with the Charge/Licensed Nurse and Unit Care Coordinator.
Document care and other required information, including vital signs, meal percentages, and weights.
Assist with transfers, ambulation, exercise, and transportation using gait belts, proper transfer techniques, and lifts as directed by the plan of care and facility procedures.
Make beds and change bedding as needed.
Assist with meal setup, eating, and distribution of snacks to meet residents’ nutritional needs.
Report changes in residents’ physical or behavioral conditions, problems, concerns, and grievances to nursing or administrative personnel.
Provide personal care, including bathing, dressing, shaving, hair and nail care, oral hygiene, toileting, incontinence care, catheter care, and placement; encourage self-sufficiency in activities of daily living.
Provide care privately and maintain residents’ dignity, rights, mobility, and skin integrity.
Check residents routinely and respond to their needs in a timely manner.
Maintain confidentiality of resident information and intervene appropriately with disruptive behavior.
Follow universal precautions and properly dispose of infectious waste.
Perform treatments and document them in nurses’ notes, including observations and progress.
Assist residents with activities and help them participate in individual and small-group activities, taking their preferences into account.
Keep current with changes to residents’ plans of care and communicate with nursing leadership, professional nursing staff, CMAs, and CNAs.
Represent Wesley Towers positively to residents, families, visitors, and colleagues.
Participate in continuous service improvement activities as directed.
Know where to find standards and policy/procedure, disaster, infection-control, and Material Safety Data manuals.
Report incidents and exposures immediately to a supervisor.
Operate equipment safely and report unsafe or defective equipment immediately.
Deliver care safely and cost-effectively, using only the equipment and supplies needed.
Maintain a clean and safe nursing environment and promptly address safety hazards.
Maintain certification with the state agency.