Specific Needs Medication Technician

Laurelhurst House Assisted Living•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Specific Needs Medication Technician provides medication services and direct resident care, supports behavior interventions, and helps maintain a positive physical and psychosocial environment. The role also assists residents with activities of daily living, housekeeping, laundry, and other daily chores. The technician is responsible for medication-room operations and medication services under the direction of the Health Services Director (HSD), following physician orders, state regulations, and the nurse practice act. The position administers or assists with self-administration of medications, completes simple treatments, maintains accurate clinical records, coordinates with pharmacies, reports medication errors, and communicates changes in residents’ conditions and care needs. The role provides care according to residents’ cooperative service plans, promotes dignity, independence, and personal choice, and supports residents with behavioral health or cognitive needs using de-escalation and behavior mitigation strategies. Duties also include assisting with meals, resident transfers and mobility, tours and move-ins or move-outs, emergency response, medication storage and room upkeep, and participation in training and care planning.

Requirements

Hold the state-required medication pass certification or other required certification, complete state-required delegation and/or training requirements, and successfully complete the medication pass competency.
Have current CPR certification, First Aid training, and a Food Handlers permit as required by state regulations.
Complete all state-required trainings.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent knowledge and skills obtained through a combination of education, training, and experience.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of personal care experience with older adults, preferred or as required by state regulations.

Responsibilities

Operate the medication room and provide medication services as directed by the Health Services Director and in accordance with physician orders, state regulations, and the nurse practice act.
Process physician medication and treatment orders.
Administer or assist with the self-administration of routine and non-routine medications.
Complete simple treatments and monitor residents as directed by the Health Services Director.
Support residents with behavioral health or cognitive needs using de-escalation and behavior mitigation strategies.
Maintain accurate records of medication and treatment services provided or omitted, including controlled substances.
Coordinate medication orders and refills with pharmacies.
Report medication errors, complete timely notifications, and submit required forms.
Report and record changes in resident condition, incidents, and accidents to the appropriate parties, and complete incident forms.
Communicate with physicians, pharmacies, outside services, residents, and families regarding medication and care services.
Provide direct resident care while promoting dignity, independence, and personal choice; observe residents’ physical and mental conditions and report changes.
Provide care services according to each resident’s cooperative service plan.
Coordinate personal care with co-workers, assist with lifting, and respond promptly to assistance pages.
Participate in care planning meetings and reinforce interventions that maximize resident abilities and interests.
Greet residents, visitors, and staff courteously while respecting dignity, confidentiality, and individual rights.
Follow fire safety and infection control practices and report unsafe conditions or equipment.
Serve meals, assist residents at mealtime, deliver resident trays, and help clean and maintain dining and kitchen areas.
Assist with lifting, moving, and transporting residents using proper body mechanics or assistive devices as directed by the care plan.
Assist with tours, move-ins, move-outs, and transfers.
Provide First Aid and initiate emergency response procedures in accordance with policy and state regulations.
Store medications and equipment properly and keep the medication room clean and orderly.
Remove outdated or discontinued medications for return to the pharmacy or disposal according to policy.
Attend and participate in training, in-services, and staff meetings.
Demonstrate the company’s Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Commitment, and Trust.
Support a dignified and caring atmosphere and protect confidential resident, team member, department, community, and company information.
Maintain a safe and secure work environment and practice safe working habits.
Perform other duties as assigned.