Job Description

Primary Purpose of this Position

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the administering of medications to residents under the direction of the attending physician, Charge Nurse/Nurse Supervisor, and the Director of Nursing. The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, policies, procedures and practices of this facility and the requirements of the state.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administrationof medications to residents.
• Report errors in the administration of medications; complete medication administration error report as appropriate.
• Participate and cooperate with any facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or the Director of Nursing.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, etc., and submit these as required.

Committee Functions

• Attend and participate in care plan meetings as necessary.
• Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee and any other facility committee or program that involves the medication administration process.

Medication Administration Functions

• Accurately and safely prepare and administer medications that are ordered by a licensed practitioner.
• Measure, document and report vital signs according to facility policies.
• Observe resident to detect response to medications and prepare report or notify designated personnel of unexpected reactions in accordance with facility policies.
• Record and restock medication inventories, process discontinued medication as directed by the Director of Nursing in accordance with facility policies.
• Be familiar with commonly administered medications including their use, typical dosages and significant side effects or interactions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Be familiar with common medical abbreviations, symbols and terms relative to the administration of medications as used by the facility, pharmacists and physicians.
• Follow established guidelines concerning the storage of drugs and biologicals.
• Follow facility procedures governing medication receipt errors including notifying the delivery source and the Director of Nursing.
• Follow the facility’s procedures regarding resident self-administration of medications.
• Follow the labeling policies and practices of the facility.
• Follow the medication card practices of the facility.
• Observe and verify that medication is taken or applied as directed; document any instance where prescribed medication is not administered or taken.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the resident’s comprehensive assessment as necessary.
• Promptly notify the Charge Nurse/Nurse Supervisor or the Director of Nursing of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.

Staff Development Functions

• Attend continuing education programs as needed.
• Attend and participate in orientation programs as necessary.
• Attend annual in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), tuberculosis (TB), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), abuse prevention, safety, infection prevention and control, etc.).
• Participate in an in-service training program prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas as well as throughout the nursing services area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department directors.
• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in continuing education programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.
• Follows established procedures governing the handling and disposal of infectious waste.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent.

Experience

Must be a licensed Certified Medication Aide having successfully completed a state approved training program and any necessary examination(s) in accordance with laws of the state.

Specific Requirements

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must provide documentation of certification upon application for the position.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the 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 ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
• 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 push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Job Position Analysis Information

(1) Risk Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids Column:

A check mark entered into this column indicates the risk potential of your exposure to blood or body fluids. Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that you should use when performing this task.

(2) Essential Functions Column

:A check mark entered into this column indicates that you may be required to perform this task.

(3) Safety Factors Column:

RM = Repetitive Motion:

A“RM” in this column indicates that it will be necessary for you to perform some functions of this task repeatedly. When such tasks are not performed properly injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used.

WL = Minimum Weight Lifting Requirement:

A “WL” in this column indicates that it will be necessary for you to perform functions of this task that require some lifting, moving, pushing or pulling. When such tasks are not performed properly injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used when performing this task. Minimumweight lifting requirements that you must perform are located in the “Physical and Sensory Requirements” section of this job description.

SB = Prolonged Sitting, Standing and Bending:

A “SB” in this column indicates that some functions of this task require you to sit, stand or bend for an extended period of time. When such tasks are not performed properly injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used when performing this task.

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