Per Diem Consultant Nurse (RN/LVN) Long-Term Care Pharmacy

Description

About Lifemed
Lifemed is a trusted long-term care pharmacy proudly serving skilled nursing facilities and care homes across Northern California. Family-led and locally operated since 1957, we are passionate about supporting our partners with reliable pharmacy services, clinical expertise, and hands-on collaboration. Recognized as a Certified Great Place to Work, our team is driven by a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on patient care every day.

Why This Role Matters

This position plays a vital role in bridging the gap between pharmacy services and patient care in long term care settings, helping ensure safe medication practices, regulatory compliance, and improved health outcomes for residents.

Job Summary

The Per Diem Consultant Nurse (RN/LVN) provides clinical support and consultation to Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) served by the Long-Term Care Pharmacy. Working under the direction of pharmacy leadership, the Consultant Nurse performs medication management observations, regulatory compliance reviews, staff education, and quality improvement activities to promote safe medication practices and assist facilities with compliance with California Title 22 regulations, CMS requirements, and facility policies.

This position requires frequent travel to client facilities throughout the assigned service area and flexibility to work based on business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Medication Pass Observations

• Conduct scheduled and unscheduled medication pass observations.
• Evaluate nursing medication administration practices for compliance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.
• Observe and document: 
  • Resident identification
  • Five Rights of Medication Administration
  • Hand hygiene and infection prevention
  • Medication preparation and administration techniques
  • Documentation accuracy
  • Medication timing
  • Controlled substance handling
  • PRN medication documentation
  • Medication storage during administration
• Provide immediate coaching and education when appropriate.
• Prepare written observation reports and communicate findings to facility leadership and pharmacy management 

Regulatory Compliance Support

• Assist client facilities with maintaining compliance with California Title 22 regulations related to medication services.
• Support compliance with CMS medication-related regulations and pharmacy standards.
• Perform medication room and medication cart audits.
• Review:      
  • Medication storage
  • Expiration dates
  • Refrigerator temperatures
  • Controlled substance accountability
  • Emergency medication supplies
  • Medication labeling and security
• Identify opportunities for corrective action and process improvement.

Clinical Consultation

• Serve as a clinical liaison between the pharmacy and facility nursing staff.
• Respond to medication-related questions from facility personnel.
• Assist with implementation of pharmacy recommendations.
• Promote medication safety initiatives and best practices.

Quality Assurance

• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities related  to medication management.
• Assist with medication error reviews and trending.
• Identify opportunities to reduce medication-related risks.
• Support development of corrective action plans when requested.

Education

Provide education to facility staff regarding:

• Safe medication administration
• Medication documentation
• Controlled substance procedures
• Infection prevention during medication administration
• High-alert medications
• Insulin administration
• Anticoagulant safety
• Pharmacy procedures
• Medication storage requirements
• Regulatory updates

Documentation

Complete timely documentation including:

• Medication pass observation reports
• Medication room audit reports
• Educational records
• Consultation summaries
• Follow-up recommendations
• Quality improvement observations

Communication

• Maintain professional communication with Directors of Nursing, Administrators, pharmacy staff, and nursing personnel.
• Provide objective findings and recommendations.
• Escalate significant medication safety concerns to pharmacy leadership and facility management.

Other Responsibilities

• Available for on-call assignments, after-hours, and weekends.
• Responsible for patient intakes and proper routing of paperwork when needed, especially on weekends and after hours
• Frequent travel to skilled nursing facilities and care homes
• Accountability and professionalism

Compensation Based on Licensure

•  $30-$39
• Actual compensation is based on licensure, experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the position.

Requirements

Experience

• 2 years of experience in long term care, skilled nursing, or geriatric care
• Experience with medication management and regulatory requirements in LTC settings

Education & Licensure

• Active Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing
• BSN preferred

Salary : $30 - $39