Medication Aide PRN

PACS Group•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The Medication Aide assists with administering medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician and 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 applicable state requirements. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. The Medication Aide prepares, administers, and documents commonly used oral and topical medications; verifies resident identity and observes whether medication is taken or applied as directed; records medication refusals and their reasons; and measures, records, and reports residents’ vital signs. The role also involves following medication handling, labeling, charting, receipt, discontinuation, transfer, and destruction procedures; reporting medication errors and reactions; completing required records; and helping improve the safety and accuracy of the medication process. The position works with nursing staff, physicians, the Medical Director, pharmacists, and other facility personnel. It includes participation in facility surveys, quality assurance activities, committees, and continuing education. The Medication Aide must protect resident confidentiality and protected health information and report suspected disclosure or unauthorized information-system access. The employee must follow assigned work schedules and directions, and may need to assist with resident evacuation during emergencies. Applicants must have at least 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 includes sitting, standing, walking, talking, reading, and hearing; prolonged computer use; frequent use of office equipment; and occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds. The usual noise level is low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Licensed Medication Aide who has successfully completed a state-approved training program and any examinations required by 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 work with concrete variables where standardization is limited.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds and prolonged computer use, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Responsibilities

Follow facility policies and procedures for administering medications to residents.
Note and report medication administration errors, and participate in efforts to identify their causes and prevent recurrence.
Complete and submit required forms, charts, reports, and other administrative records.
Maintain productive working relationships with nursing staff, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.
Report resident complaints or grievances to the Director of Nursing Services.
Participate in facility surveys and inspections conducted by authorized government agencies when requested.
Participate in quality assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and other programs related to medication administration accuracy and performance.
Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document commonly used oral and topical medications ordered for residents.
Ensure medications brought into the facility 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 medication-labeling practices and ensure administered medications are properly labeled.
Follow procedures for charting medications and documenting and removing medications discontinued by the attending physician.
Follow drug receipt error procedures, notify the delivery source and Director of Nursing Services, and ensure the written error report is signed by an observer or witness and the employee.
Follow procedures for holding medications when residents are transferred or when medications are discontinued by the attending physician.
Observe and verify that medications are ingested or applied as directed; 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 resident vital signs.
Follow facility procedures governing residents’ self-administration of medications.
Attend continuing education programs and maintain current certification.
Protect resident information and promptly report suspected or known unauthorized disclosure of protected health information.
Report known or suspected unauthorized attempts to access the facility information system.
Perform assigned duties in accordance with established policies, procedures, and supervisor instructions, and follow work assignments and schedules.
Cooperate with interdepartmental and other facility personnel to maintain nursing services that meet residents’ needs.
Assist with resident evacuation during emergency situations when necessary.