Medication Technician

Nevada HAND Inc•Las Vegas, NV

19d

About The Position

The Medication Technician provides assistive care to adult residents, supporting activities of daily living, wellness, recreation, and socialization. The role is responsible for storing, distributing, and discontinuing residents’ medications; maintaining accurate care records; and reporting changes in residents’ health. The technician helps residents reach and maintain the highest level of functioning consistent with HAND Senior Living’s mission and philosophy of care and applicable state licensing regulations. The position also supports resident activities, behavior management, communication, resident rights, confidentiality, safety, food service, housekeeping, laundry, and teamwork across departments. Duties include responding to resident needs, assisting with personal care and meals, completing required documentation, attending training and care-team meetings, and following internal policies and safety procedures. Other duties may be assigned to support the operation.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Must have current First Aid and/or CPR training, or be able to obtain it within 30 days of employment.
Must have a valid Medication Technician certification or be able to obtain certification within 90 days of employment.
At least one year of experience providing care to seniors.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must be able to obtain a Sheriff’s Work Card.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Must meet health assessment requirements and be able to perform the essential functions of the position.
Sincere interest and desire to work with a geriatric population.
Knowledge of geriatric care, including dentures, nails, hearing aids, bathing, dressing, grooming, incontinence and perineal care, ambulation, signs of sudden illness, and pharmacology and side effects.
Ability to work varied hours, work as part of a team, motivate people, and communicate effectively with staff, residents, and families.
Ability to maintain balance and body agility while walking, standing, or crouching.
Ability to stand and walk for most of the time spent in the assisted living community, approximately 6–8 hours, and to stand in one position during some resident-care tasks.
Frequently stoop, kneel, reach, twist at the waist, and handle objects; occasionally sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch while providing resident care.
Ability to support at least 75 pounds to reposition, transfer, and ambulate residents safely.
Ability to push or pull 70–100 pounds when transporting residents in wheelchairs or pushing a medication cart.
Fine motor ability to grasp objects such as a pen and prepare handwritten reports and use a tablet.
Close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
May be exposed to infectious diseases.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant or Residential Assistant training.

Responsibilities

Pass medications as prescribed and ensure residents take them; receive pharmacy medications, follow up on unanswered physician communications, check medication administration records for transcription discrepancies, and ensure records and medication directions are accurate.
Audit the medication cart for expired medications and medications that need to be ordered, organize it for the next shift, and count narcotics with outgoing and incoming medication technicians.
Respond to resident pendants and call lights promptly; check on residents requiring two-hour checks and document those checks.
Assist residents with getting up for meals and escorting them to and from the dining room when needed.
Assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, hygiene, incontinence care, and related documentation.
Demonstrate knowledge of diseases affecting residents, infection control, geriatric care, pharmacology, and medication side effects; report resident conditions to a supervisor.
Attend required in-service training on resident care and safety.
Treat residents, families, visitors, vendors, and coworkers respectfully and courteously; maintain a positive attitude and support peers and supervisors.
Assist the Activity Coordinator and direct individual or group activities as requested.
Use reassurance and positive reinforcement to help manage difficult behaviors, and assist residents with bathing, dressing, eating, incontinence care, and sleeping.
Communicate courteously and patiently with residents and families, with consideration for communication difficulties related to stroke, dementia, or deafness.
Understand and promote resident rights, dignity, autonomy, and independence; promptly report suspected elder abuse to the Department of Aging Services and the supervisor or Administrator.
Maintain confidentiality of resident, family, and staff information and comply with HIPAA regulations.
Promote a safe and secure environment; remove residents from unsafe situations, report hazards, complete maintenance work orders, use appropriate body mechanics and safety equipment, and obtain help when needed.
Assist with food orders and service, opening packages, pouring beverages, and cutting food as needed.
Make beds, tidy resident rooms and bathrooms, spot-clean carpets, assist with resident laundry, clean spills promptly, and maintain clean workstations.
Respond positively and promptly to requests for assistance from other departments, provide quality service outside health care areas, and participate in weekly Care Team meetings.
Implement assigned procedures and programs, support risk management and safety policies, coordinate work with other personnel, and perform other duties as needed for the operation.