Certified Medication Aide

PACS Group•Forest Grove, OR

About The Position

The Certified Medication Aide assists with administering medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician, under the direction of the attending physician, nurse supervisor or charge nurse, and Director of Nursing Services. Medication administration must comply with established nursing standards, facility policies and procedures, and state requirements. The role prepares, administers, and documents commonly used oral and topical medications; observes and verifies their ingestion or application; and reports medication errors, reactions, and refusals. The aide completes related documentation, follows procedures for medication labeling, receipt, storage, discontinuation, transfer, and destruction, and contributes to programs that improve medication safety and accuracy. The role also measures and reports residents’ vital signs, protects residents’ confidential health information, cooperates with facility personnel and authorized inspections, and attends continuing education to maintain current certification. This position has no supervisory responsibilities. The employee must have a high school education or equivalent and be a licensed Medication Aide who has completed a state-approved training program and any required examinations. The work may involve occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds, prolonged computer use, regular sitting, standing, walking, talking, reading, and hearing, and possible assistance with resident evacuation during emergencies. The noise level is usually low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent, at minimum.
Licensed Medication Aide credential.
Successful completion of a state-approved training program and any examinations required under state law.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers and employees.
Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to use a desktop or laptop computer for prolonged periods and regularly sit, stand, walk, talk, read, and hear.

Responsibilities

Follow facility policies and procedures for administering medications to residents.
Note and report medication administration errors and promptly notify the Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, or Director of Nursing Services about errors or resident reactions.
Help develop and implement procedures or programs to identify, understand, and prevent medication errors.
Complete and submit required forms, charts, reports, and other documentation.
Maintain productive working relationships with nursing department staff, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.
Report resident complaints or grievances to the Director of Nursing Services.
Participate and cooperate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies when requested.
Participate in Quality Assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and other programs or committees related to medication administration.
Safely prepare, administer, and document commonly used oral and topical medications ordered for residents.
Verify that medications brought in by newly admitted residents are examined and identified by the attending physician or facility pharmacy or pharmacist.
Follow procedures for medication destruction, including required documentation, under the direction of the facility pharmacist or Director of Nursing Services.
Follow facility labeling and medication charting procedures and ensure administered medications are properly labeled.
Assist with documenting and removing medications discontinued by the attending physician.
Follow procedures for drug receipt errors, notify the delivery source and Director of Nursing Services, and ensure the written error report is signed by the aide and an observer or witness.
Follow procedures for holding medications for residents transferred from the facility or whose medications have been discontinued.
Observe and verify that medication is ingested or applied as directed; document medications not administered and the reasons for refusal.
Verify each resident’s identity before administering medication treatment.
Accurately measure, record, and report residents’ vital signs.
Follow facility procedures that allow residents to self-administer medication.
Attend continuing education programs and maintain current certification.
Protect the confidentiality of resident care information and protected health information, and report suspected or known unauthorized disclosures to the appropriate facility administrator.
Report known or suspected unauthorized attempts to access the facility’s information system.
Perform assigned tasks according to facility policies, procedures, supervisors’ instructions, work assignments, and schedules.
Cooperate with personnel across departments to maintain nursing services that meet residents’ needs.