MEDICATION TECHNICIAN (Seasonal)

Description

Title of Position:         Medication Technician - Seasonal

Location:                     Percy Village                    

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt

Union/ Non-Union:     Union             

Supervisor:                 Medical Services Manager        

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center, located in Los Angeles, is a non-profit organization that provides an array of comprehensive mental health services for Children, Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and Adults suffering from mental illness in the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization consists of a standalone fifty-five (55) )-bed hospital and six outlying outpatient facilities that have anywhere from fourteen (14) beds to one hundred and thirty-four (134) beds. The organization has approximately four hundred (400) employees.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Medication Technician assists in monitoring and ensuring clients take prescribed psychotropic medications. In addition, the medication technician is responsible for overseeing personal care, medications, treatment, and other nursing procedures for selected clients as authorized by hospital policy. Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Oversees personal care, medications, treatments, and other nursing procedures to selected clients as authorized by Hospital policy.
• Oversees, encourages, and teaches the client personal hygiene and dietary needs as well as medication actions and reactions.
• Monitors and ensures clients take prescribed psychotropic medications and records medications accurately.
• Assists in situational crisis intervention as needed.
• Provides client transportation, as needed.
• Observes and records resident behavior and activities.
• Supervises and monitors client activities in building.
• Assists in monitoring clients’ hygiene.
• Participates in counselor meetings, in-service training, and other meetings as scheduled.
• Assists the treatment team in arranging emergency transportation for psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Responds to incoming calls on evenings and weekends.
• Conducts random security checks of premises and buildings at least hourly throughout shift.
• Reports safety hazards, maintenance, and housekeeping requirements to the Administrative staff
• Orders, receives and stocks Medication Room supplies.
• Provides input at monthly Med Room meeting.
• Responsible for keeping all client data confidential.
• Knowledge of facility emergency codes and response procedure.
• Responds appropriately to emergency situations; i.e., notifies staff, administration, police, fire department, ambulance and paramedics, as appropriate.
• Maintains an objective, professional relationship with clients at all times.
• Wears ID badge at all times while on-duty or on hospital property.
• Responsible for policy, procedure, and safety suggestions to the Administrative staff.
• Assists in auditing medication to ensure that it is accurate.
• Assists in data collection of medication orders/deliveries.
• Assist with checking in new medication, documenting, and properly disposing of discontinued medication.
• Assist medical staff in monitoring and ensuring clients take prescribed psychotropic medications.
• Distributes PRN medications as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of all medications, especially psychiatric medications.
• Basic understanding of legal aspects of mental health.
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills, leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work with adult clients.
• Operate selected equipment.
• Ability to work and relate effectively with multi-disciplinary treatment team, clients and public.
• Ability to assess patients for dangerousness and intervene in atimely, calm and appropriate manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbal & Written.
• Ability to work independently, use good judgment, and remain calm in crisis situations.
• Ability to operate selected equipment.
• Legible handwriting.
• Ability to work various hours and shifts.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors (i.e., transportation of clients or supplies).
• Ability to be objective, stable and firm with clients who have mentally disabilities.
• Ability to appropriately accept orders and instructions from
• supervisors.  Ability to appropriately give orders and instructions to clients.
•  Have some knowledge of computer software and have basic computer skills

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATES

• Nursing, Pharmacy, Certified Nursing Assistant, or Medical Assistant student with medication training
• Current licensure and registration by the State Board of Examiners

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior paraprofessional counseling or paraprofessional psychiatric nursing experience is required.
• Experience with mentally ill populations.
• Knowledge of behavioral interventions

REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and Community Care Licensing (CCL) background clearance.
• Valid California Driver’s license.
• TB clearance.
• Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways insurance carrier.
• Fire and Safety Training*.
• First Aid Training Certification*.
• CPR Certification*.
• Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI)**

* Note: If indicated certifications/licenses are lacking, they must be obtained within 180 days of hire.

**Training needs to be completed within 30 days from the date of hire on a designated date provided by onboarding.  Staff need to be certified at the commensurate level for their role to perform their job duties (staff will be taken off the schedule if certification is not achieved).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To perform this job you must be able to carry out all essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 25 pounds.

Qualifications