Medication Aide

PACS•Lake Havasu City, AZ

15d

About The Position

The Medication Aide follows facility policies and procedures for preparing, administering, documenting, and managing resident medications. The role includes reporting medication errors and reactions, supporting efforts to prevent errors, completing required records, and working with nursing staff, physicians, the Medical Director, pharmacists, and other facility personnel. The Medication Aide also participates in facility surveys, quality assurance activities, and continuing education, and protects residents’ confidential health information.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Licensed Medication Aide credential, completion of 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 interpret varied written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, or hear regularly; use a desktop or laptop computer for prolonged periods; and use office equipment such as a copier, scanner, fax machine, telephone, and calculator.

Responsibilities

Follow facility policies and procedures for administering, labeling, charting, holding, destroying, and removing medications, including discontinued medications and medications affected by transfers.
Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document commonly used oral and topical medications ordered for residents.
Observe and verify that residents ingest or apply medications as directed; document medications not administered and the reasons for refusal.
Verify resident identity before administering medication and follow procedures for resident self-administration.
Report medication administration errors, drug receipt errors, and resident medication reactions promptly to the appropriate nursing leadership; complete required error documentation.
Help identify when, where, and why medication errors occur and how they can be prevented.
Verify that medications brought by newly admitted residents are examined and identified by the attending physician or facility pharmacy or pharmacist.
Complete and submit required forms, charts, reports, and other administrative documentation.
Maintain productive working relationships with nursing department members, attending physicians, the Medical Director, pharmacists, and other facility personnel.
Report resident complaints or grievances to the Director of Nursing Services.
Participate in facility surveys and inspections when requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services.
Participate in Quality Assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and other programs or committees related to medication processes.
Accurately measure, record, and report residents’ vital signs.
Attend continuing education programs and maintain current certification.
Protect the confidentiality of resident care information and protected health information; report suspected or known unauthorized disclosure and attempts to access the facility information system.
Perform assigned tasks and follow work assignments, schedules, facility policies, procedures, and supervisors’ instructions.
Cooperate with facility personnel to help maintain nursing services that meet residents’ needs.
Assist with resident evacuation during emergencies when necessary.