Medication Assistant, Certified, Long Term Care (LTC)

Sanford Health•West Union, IA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. The Medication Assistant (MA) serves as a caregiver who provides resident-centered nursing care and daily living assistance to assigned residents under the supervision of a charge nurse. This role involves assisting with basic health care needs, medication administration, documentation, and maintaining a positive environment for residents in long-term care settings. Sanford Health, headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. Good Samaritan, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of senior care and services, is committed to transforming the aging experience through innovation, compassion and personalized care. As part of Sanford Health, Good Samaritan serves 10,000 seniors and offers access to a full continuum of care, including 94 rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers, 56 assisted living and memory care facilities, 44 independent living locations and 37 home health and hospice agencies. The senior care provider delivers services across the upper Midwest, with 70% of residents living in rural communities.

Requirements

Satisfactorily completes yearly department specific competency testing and maintains a record of continuing education credits for each year.
A minimum of 12 hours continuing education are required annually based on state requirements.
Maintains all department specific required certifications.
When applicable, may need a valid driver's license and auto insurance.
Iowa: Require Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with the State Board of Nursing. CNA certification must be maintained with the State Board of Nursing. Successful completion of a state-approved Certified Medication Aide/Assistant course once CNA certification is obtained.
Minnesota: Must have nursing assistant certification, have completed the 75-hour course and be registered with the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry. Successful completion of a state-approved Trained Medication Assistant course.
North Dakota: Require Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with the State Board of Nursing. CNA certification must be maintained with the State Board of Nursing. Successful completion of a state-approved Certified Medication Aide/Assistant course once CNA certification is obtained. If working in an Assisted Living or Basic Care facility, Medication Assistant I certification required. If working in a skilled nursing facility, Medication Assistant II certification is required.
South Dakota: Must successfully complete the state approved Certified Medication Aide (CMA) course. CMA certification must be maintained with the State Board of Nursing.
For all Good Samaritan and Sanford nursing facilities: Must have the state required certified/trained medication aide certification (CMA or TMA).
Active certified nursing assistant registration in state of practice, or ability to obtain within 120 days, is required.

Nice To Haves

High school graduate or general equivalency diploma (GED) preferred, but not required.
Minimum age of 18 preferred.
Prior clinical or nursing assistant experience in long-term care preferred.

Responsibilities

Knowledge of and delivers age-appropriate care related to the physical and psychological needs of the resident as per plan of care.
Provides assistance with basic health care needs including daily living activities that may include, but are not limited to, bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing/undressing, obtaining and recording vital signs, and providing psycho-social support and other personal care to assigned resident.
May assist the resident in transferring, re-positioning, and walking using correct and appropriate transfer techniques and equipment and provides range of motion and passive exercises.
Completes tasks related to food preparation and dining, while creating a positive dining experience for the resident.
May assist residents with meals and snacks; provide water and supplements as appropriate.
Administers prescribed medications as delegated by a licensed nurse and within their scope of practice as defined by state regulations.
Documents the outcomes related to resident care, medication administration, behavior, activity, and dietary.
Communicates changing condition, medication follow-up and care related concerns/responses to the charge nurse.
Collects non-invasive body fluid specimens and gathers vital signs.
Provides housekeeping and laundry services to assist residents with keeping living areas clean and operational.
Provides assistance and documentation with wellness and recreational programs and encourages residents to participate.
May participate in departmental/organization committees and task forces as needed.