Certified Medication Aide

Must have a valid CNA license as well as CMA license in the State of Texas

Open Shifts: Double Weekend, 2pm - 10pm

Position Summary: To pour, pass, and document all routine prescribed medications and to give PRN medication upon the instructions of the licensed nurse only.

Occupational Skills:

• Work well with others

• Ability to exercise good judgment and tact in dealing with resident’s, resident families and staff members

• Good communication skills • Good organizational skills

• Familiarity with LTC computer software

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions

• Ability to lift, push, pull and/or move a minimum of 50lbs or more

• Walking, turning, reaching, stooping, squatting, pivoting and bending as needed

• Flexibility in work schedule and assignments as needed

• Knowledge of medications and possible side effects

Education, Training and Experience Requirements:

• High school or general education diploma (GED)

• Must be a certified nurse aide

• Must have successfully completed state approved school of medication administration

• Must carry current acknowledgment card or certification issued by state agency

• Must demonstrate a working knowledge of Universal Precautions and the Blood Borne Pathogen rules

Essential Job Duties:

• Abide by restrictions placed on the job by state agency

• Observe and report to the facility’s charge licensed nurse reactions and side effects to medication shown by resident

• Answer resident call lights

• Take and record vital signs prior to the administration of medication which could affect or change the vital signs

• Administer regularly prescribed medication which the permit holder has been trained to administer only after personally preparing (setting up) the medication to be administered

• Administer oxygen per nasal cannula or a non-scaling face mask only in an emergency. Immediately after the emergency, the Medication

• Aide shall verbally notify the licensed nurse on duty or on call and appropriately document the action and notification

• Apply specifically ordered ophthalmic, optic, and nasal medication

• Must be able to follow accurately all principals of good medication administration

• Must be willing to cooperate with licensed nurse in charge and be accountable for all actions

• Must be aware of limitations and not attempt to exceed those

• Must be willing to help with all work in whatever way possible which includes lifting, transferring, and supporting residents who weigh 50 lbs or more

• Other duties as assigned by the Administrator and/or supervisor A Medication Aide Cannot:

• Administer medication by the injection route including: a. intramuscular route b. intravenous route c. subcutaneous route d. intradermal route e. hypodermoclysis route

• Administer medication used for intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) treatments or any form of medication nebulizer treatments

• Administer previously ordered pro re nata (PRN) medication unless authorization is obtained from the facility’s licensed nurse on duty or on call. If authorization is obtained, the Medication Aide must:

  • a. document in the resident’s records, symptoms indicating the need for the medication and the time the symptoms occurred b. document in resident’s records that the facility’s licensed nurse was contacted, symptoms were described, and permission was granted to administer the medication and the time of contact

  • c. obtain permission to administer the medication each time the symptoms occur in the resident, and

  • d. ensure that the resident’s records are co-signed by the licensed nurse who gave permission by the end of the nurse’s shift or if the nurse was on call, by the end of the nurse’s next tour of duty

• Administer the initial dose of a medication that has not been previously administered to a resident. Whether a medication has been previously administered shall be determined by the resident’s current clinical records

• Calculate a resident’s medication doses for administration except that the permit holder may:

  • a. Measure a prescribed amount of a liquid medication to be administered; and

  • b. Break a tablet for administration to a resident provided the licensed nurse on duty or on call has calculated the dosage. The resident’s medication card or its equivalent shall accurately document how the tablet must be altered prior to administration.

• Crush medication unless authorization is obtained from the licensed nurse on duty or on resident’s medication card or its equivalent

• Administer medications or feedings by way of a tube inserted in a cavity of the body

• Receive or assume responsibility for reducing to writing a verbal or telephone order from a physician, dentist, or podiatrist

• Order a resident’s medications from a pharmacy verbally. (Must be by fax only)

• Apply topical medications that involve the treatment of skin that is broken or blistered of when specified aseptic technique is ordered by the attending physician

• Steal, divert, or otherwise misuse medications

• Fraudulently procure or attempt to procure a permit

• Neglect to administer appropriate medications, as prescribed, in a responsible manner

• Administer medications if the person is unable to do so with reasonable skill and safety to residents by reason of drunkenness, excessive use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material; or

• Order a STAT medication unless approved by DON/ADON Medication aides must function in accordance with accepted pharmaceutical and nursing practices, and as set forth in this facility’s policies.