Registered Medication Associate (RMA)

Commonwealth Senior Living at Bon Air•Bon Air, VA

About The Position

The Registered Medication Associate (RMA) provides high-quality care and services to meet residents’ needs in a caring, consistent, individualized, and efficient manner. The RMA assists with medication administration in accordance with state licensing and regulatory standards and helps ensure residents receive comprehensive care. As a Culture Ambassador, the RMA models the company’s core values and leads by example. The role includes monitoring medication management, administering and documenting medications as prescribed, observing residents’ responses, and reporting concerns. It also involves maintaining medication and equipment accountability, communicating with residents and staff, supporting resident safety and well-being, and attending required training. The RMA may act as a shift supervisor when appropriate or directed. This position provides direct care to residents and is considered a medium risk for exposure to COVID. It requires continuous movement during work hours, assisting high-risk residents, pushing medication carts, and lifting or carrying 50 to 75 pounds. The role requires flexibility and the ability to work weekends and flexible hours as needed.

Requirements

Successfully complete coursework and examinations to obtain certification as a Resident Care Associate.
Obtain state-required continuing education credits to maintain RMA certification and provide timely, accurate evidence of continued certification to the community.
Know safe medication administration techniques and demonstrate this knowledge through a competency skills evaluation.
Be CPR and First Aid certified or willing to obtain certification as per company policy.
Understand and practice resident confidentiality.
Be able to work weekends and flexible hours as needed for resident care and services.
Show sincere compassion and genuine concern for the physical and emotional needs of seniors and their families.
Be proficient with basic office equipment, including a personal computer.
Be able to lift, stoop, carry, turn, and assist high-risk residents; push medication carts; and sit, stand, bend, and move continuously during work hours.
Be able to lift and/or carry 50 to 75 pounds.

Responsibilities

Assist in monitoring and safely delivering the Medication Management Program.
Follow company policies and state regulatory standards when administering medications.
Administer and accurately document medications as prescribed by physicians.
Present medications to residents and observe ingestion or completion of other administration techniques.
Observe, record, and report medication complications, adverse reactions, or side effects; seek input from the Resident Care Director as indicated.
Determine and document medication effectiveness in a timely and accurate manner.
Document medication refusals and reasons prescribed medications were not administered.
Store medications safely and accurately.
Monitor medication accountability when medications are ordered, received, administered, and reported at shift change.
Complete the Daily Shift to Shift Communication Log with resident and medication updates, changes, concerns, and follow-up information.
Safely handle controlled substances, including shift counts, and report discrepancies or concerns to the Resident Care Director.
Inspect, clean, audit, and monitor equipment and supplies; report issues to the Resident Care Director.
Obtain, record, and report vital signs as indicated during medication administration.
Record and restock medication inventories as needed or requested.
Re-order resident medications from the pharmacy as needed or requested.
Document pertinent information in resident records and complete incident reports as indicated.
Follow infection-control practices, including Universal Precautions and company policies and procedures concerning OSHA’s Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard.
Communicate accurately and factually with residents, staff, and others; seek clarification from or refer questions to the Resident Care Director when indicated.
Prioritize and provide verbal encouragement and support to residents.
Help maintain a safe and clean environment.
Maintain a positive and professional demeanor toward residents, families, and associates.
Participate in and attend required in-service training and education programs as scheduled.
Act as a shift supervisor when appropriate or as directed.
Maintain regular communication with the Resident Care Director.
Perform other duties as assigned or listed in the Resident Care Associate job description.
Model the company’s core values and live out its Noble selling purpose: “We improve the lives of seniors, their families, and each other.”