Medication Staff

Position Summary

The Medication Staff is responsible to maintain a working knowledge of all residents residing in the unit, remain familiar with their physician’s orders, and ensure correct and timely distribution of all their prescribed medications. The Medication Staff is also assigned to provide first aid care or follow up that does not require a nurse’s assistance. This could include distribution of over-the-counter medications, completion and follow up of pain assessments, and providing immediate care for less severe injuries. The Medication Staff must regularly communicate with the Nursing Supervisor, nurses, and on call medical staff to ensure appropriate care is being provided at all times.

Primary Job Expectations

• Medication Administration
• Counts and distributes resident medications throughout their assigned shift while adhering to the medication policy
• Counts and distributes over-the-counter medications as needed and ensures appropriate documentation is completed
• Prepares medications for youth for home pass visitation, etc.
• Prepares medications for youth discharges and completes the medical discharge summary
• Administrative Duties
• Ensures all required documentation is maintained and updated in the medication book (MAR, PO, etc.)
• Provides documentation to medical staff for any resident medical needs as required by YOC policy
• Documents all injuries, accidents, or health conditions to ensure appropriate communication and follow up occurs
• Works with medical staff to ensure timely and accurate ordering of medications
• Ensures medication errors and refusals are documented appropriately and medical staff are notified
• At the time of a youth’s release, ensures the youth’s medical passport and medical discharge summary is passed on to the appropriate party
• Continuity of Medical Care
• Initiates completion of pain assessments as needed and conducts assessment of pain rating during their assigned shift
• Communicates regularly with the Team Leader on duty and all Medical Staff
• Attends resident medication reviews to provide information to the prescribing physician (as able)
  
  
  

Education & Experience Needed

• QMA certification is preferred;
• Bachelor’s, Associate’s degree in a human services area of study will be considered:
• A High School diploma is required.
  
  
  

FUNDAMENTAL QUALIFICATION

Must be able to demonstrate awareness of the cultural and socioeconomic differences of our clients as well as value a nurturing family as the ideal environment; a commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems and a conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change; the ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence by maintaining a helping role and appropriately intervening to meet service goals; the ability to set appropriate limits.

Knowledge & Skills Needed

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to support multiple work assignments simultaneously
• Strong organization skills and the ability to prioritize assigned tasks
• High attention to detail
• Must have sound computer skills
• Ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of people including a variety of internal and external parties
• Must be adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people and situations
• Able to identify problems and resolve them in a timely and appropriate manner
  
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical work week is 40 hours per week. Scheduled days and times will vary depending on shift assigned and availability of employee. The Medication Staff will have regular contact with placing agencies and families of residents by phone and in person. Courtesy and professionalism are expected at all times.

Compensation

This position is full time and compensation includes a competitive hourly rate and benefits plan.