Certified Medication Aides

Company Description

Trinity Healthcare is a Fort Worth, Texas based company specializing in the operation and management of skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice services. With an emphasis on treating our residents, patients and employees like family, we engage licensed administrators, registered nurses, social workers, licensed therapists, physicians, pharmacist and dietitians to develop a care plan to meet the needs of the communities that we serve.

Job Description

PURPOSE:

The primary purpose of your job position is to prepare, administer, report and record medications according to physicians orders and established policies and procedures and to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you are required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to this position.

MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Uses appropriate medical terminology and approved abbreviations.

Assures accurate shiftly narcotic and key count and medication disposal per policy.

Maintains up to date knowledge of drugs and their side effects specific to the elderly population.

Follows the 5 rights when administering medications.

Accurately and legibly records drug administration and resident reaction to medications in the appropriate records.

Reorders medicine from pharmacy by fax.  Reports to the charge nurse when medications are unavailable.

Keeps medication cart adequately stocked.  Curbs waste.  Keeps med. room clean and orderly.

Reviews medication administration records for changes in orders.  Takes required vital signs prior to med. pass.  Reports to charge nurse any deviation in vital signs.

Starts and completes medication pass within one hour before and after time ordered.  Is aware of most common adverse reactions.  Is aware of medications that cannot be altered or crushed.

Stays with resident until medicine is swallowed.

Records medicine as given immediately after giving.

Administers different eye drops no closer than 5 minutes apart.

Administers different inhalers no closer than 5 minutes apart.  Waits at least one minute between puffs of same inhaler.  Cleans and stores inhalation equipment.

Washes hands with soap and water before and after each dosage and between patients for all ear, eye, and nasal medications and topical patches.

Uses accurate measuring device when administering liquid medications.  Pours liquid medicine from side opposite label.  Keeps bottle clean.

Records time and reason P.R.N. med. was given.  Checks back with resident after 30 minutes to determine effectiveness of med. and records results.

Never leaves the med. cart unlocked when unattended.

Keeps top of med. cart free of all items except acceptable paper products.

Has med. cart keys in possession while on duty at all times.

Complies with direction from the charge nurse, ADON, DON.

Promptly and courteously answers call lights within 5 minutes.

Reports off to the charge nurse before leaving the unit for any reason.

Leaves for and returns promptly from breaks at scheduled times.

Begins work at scheduled starting time. Does not leave assigned work area prior to quitting time.

Is punctual and works scheduled days. Follows facility policy for absenteeism and tardiness.

Follows facility policy regarding eating, drinking and smoking while on duty.

Does not abuse company work time with unnecessary personal phone calls.

Works harmoniously with other staff members.  Does not interfere or interrupt the flow of work on the unit.

Promotes a positive image of the facility by displaying cooperation, exhibiting a positive attitude and maintaining a polite, courteous manner when dealing with all customers.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Attends a minimum of 12 mandatory inservices per year.

Maintains a neat personal appearance at all times.  Follows facility established dress code

SAFETY AND SANITATION

Use gait belt for all patient transfers and ambulation. Ask for help when needed.  Utilize good body mechanics.

Report all incidents and accidents immediately.

Correct all unsafe and hazardous conditions and equipment immediately.

Make use of all appropriate protective devices/clothing on hand for handling infectious waste and or body/blood fluids.

Keep hallways clear of clutter.  All carts to the same side of the hall.

Participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Can verbalize process of emergency procedures, fire drills, evacuation procedure, etc.  Knows location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire exits.

Knows location of MSDS manuals.  Keeps chemicals and hazardous materials stored in a locked area.

Utilize infection control and universal precautions to assure that a sanitary environment is maintained at all times and that aseptic and isolation techniques are followed.

RESIDENTS RIGHTS FUNCTIONS

Is aware of residents rights and abides by them.

Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.

Assure the residents’ property and personal rights are followed at all times, including knocking before entering the residents room, using privacy curtains, etc.

Treats residents fairly, with kindness, dignity and respect.

Greet newly admitted/transferred residents and introduce yourself.

Wears name tag, where it can be seen throughout the day, by residents, visitors and management.

CARE PLAN AND ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS

Participate in the comprehensive assessment of the nursing needs of each resident in your assigned area.

Review the residents care plan for information needed to provide appropriate resident care.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in well lighted/ventilated areas such as, hallways, dining rooms, resident rooms, etc.

Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies, etc.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Is at risk to fall.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste and diseases, including Hep B and AIDS.

Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be certified as a medication technician, by the department of Health.

Must be able to write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

Must possess the ability to make independent decision when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies and the general public.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents, family and/or staff member.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must be able to see and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel and support agencies.

Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to lift and transfer a minimum of 50 pounds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have read this job description and fully understand the requirements set forth therein.  I hereby accept the position of certified medication technician and agree to abide by all the requirements set forth and will perform all duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability.  I understand that as a result of my employment I may be exposed to communicable diseases including the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

I further understand that my employment is at will, and thereby understand that my employment may be terminated at will by the facility or myself with or without notice.

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Date                                                                Signature

Qualifications

Additional Information