Medication Aide-NOC

PACS•Claremont, MN

About The Position

The Medication Aide follows facility policies and procedures for administering medications to residents. The role includes preparing, administering, and documenting commonly used oral and topical medications as ordered; verifying resident identity and medication use; monitoring and reporting medication errors, reactions, refusals, and other issues; and accurately measuring and reporting vital signs. The Medication Aide also completes required documentation, follows procedures for medication receipt, labeling, storage, discontinuation, transfer, and destruction, and supports programs intended to improve medication safety and accuracy. The position works cooperatively with nursing staff, physicians, pharmacists, and other facility personnel, and reports resident complaints or grievances and medication concerns to the appropriate nursing leaders. The Medication Aide participates in surveys, quality assurance activities, committees, and continuing education, while maintaining resident confidentiality and reporting suspected privacy or information-system violations. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Must be a licensed Medication Aide who has successfully completed a state-approved training program and any required examinations in accordance with 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 deal with concrete variables where limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Responsibilities

Follow facility policies and procedures governing the administration of medications to residents.
Note and report medication administration errors and assist with programs to identify when, where, and why medication errors occur and how to prevent them.
Complete and submit required forms, charts, reports, and other administrative documentation.
Maintain productive working relationships with nursing department members, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.
Report resident complaints and 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 and accuracy.
Safely prepare, administer, and document commonly used oral and topical medications ordered for residents.
Ensure medications brought by newly admitted residents are examined and identified by the attending physician or facility pharmacy or pharmacist.
Follow facility procedures for medication destruction, including required documentation, under the direction of the facility pharmacist or Director of Nursing Services.
Follow facility medication labeling and 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 complete a written error report signed by a witness and the employee.
Follow procedures for holding medications when residents are transferred or medications are discontinued by the attending physician.
Observe and verify that medications are ingested or applied as directed, and document medications not administered and the reasons for refusal.
Promptly notify the Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, or Director of Nursing Services of medication errors or resident reactions.
Verify resident identity before administering medication treatment.
Accurately measure, record, and report residents’ vital signs.
Follow facility procedures for residents who self-administer medications.
Attend continuing education programs and maintain current certification.
Protect resident health information, maintain confidentiality, and report suspected or known unauthorized disclosures.
Report known or suspected unauthorized attempts to access the facility’s information system.
Perform assigned tasks according to facility policies, procedures, instructions, work assignments, and schedules.
Cooperate with other departments and facility personnel to maintain adequate nursing services.