Lead Medication Aide

Position Summary

Provide hands on supervision of caregiver staff during their shift, ensure provision of quality resident care, uphold residence philosophy and promote resident well-being. Properly assist the resident with/administer scheduled medications to residents in accordance with state regulations and residence policy. Provide direct assistance with activities of daily living and support to residents. Provide assistance in training new team members.

Primary Responsibilities

Resident Services:

1. Follow the six “rights” of medication administration (right resident, right drug, right dosage, right time, right route and right record/documentation) each and every time administration or assistance with medication occurs. Check each of the six “rights” of medication three times:

• When medication is taken out of cart

• Immediately before administering/assisting with the medication

• Immediately after administering/assisting with the medication

2. Administer/assist resident with medication(s) according to the Medication Administration Record (MAR), and protect resident privacy.

3. Document clearly/accurately on the MAR after meds are given/refused, held, discontinued, or changed according to the residence policy.

4. Maintain a neat, clean and organized med cart/room and restock as needed.

5. Supervise caregiver staff on duty in providing quality care and meeting needs of residents in accordance with residence philosophy and policies.

6. Adhere to resident’s individual plan and notify Resident Care Coordinator or Memory Care Coordinator of any changes in resident’s condition.

7. Assist with activities of daily living.

8. Check on residents as appropriate; document and report findings.

9. Assist staff with resident activities as needed.

10. Assist staff with serving meals and supervise caregiver staff in the dining room.

11. As needed, assist with cleaning and tidying residents’ rooms/laundry.

12. Establish and maintain good relationships with residents and their families.

13. Ensure all systems for providing and tracking resident care are completed in accordance with residence policies and procedures.

General:

1. Assist as needed in maintaining schedule for caregiver staff that sufficiently meets needs of all residents and ensures proper staffing.

2. Ensure required paperwork for providing resident care is completed and up to date.

3. Communicate residents’ needs/changes with caregiver staff at change of shift and as needed.

4. Carry out all duties properly and effectively as assigned by your supervisor.

5. Dispose of infectious and potentially infectious waste according to residence policy and OSHA regulations.

6. Know Declaration of Residents Rights

Communications:

1. Report any and all medication errors honestly and immediately.

2. Lead by example, encourage teamwork and provide ongoing coaching to caregiver staff.

3. Participate in all required training

• 20 hours of dementia specific training within 6 months of hire

• 12 (6 Medication/6 Dementia specific) hours annually

4. Seek assistance from your Resident Care Coordinator/Memory Care Coordinator immediately if you have doubts or concerns.

5. Respond to on-the-job injuries in accordance with residence policies and procedures.

6. Notify your supervisor of any concerns/questions presented by resident’s family.

Leadership:

1. Assist with training new team members

2. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with interdepartmental personnel as well as other departments within the facility

3. Be an active member of the management team

4. Be on call for questions and resident emergencies as scheduled

Qualifications:

• 21 years or older

• Minimum of one year experience in caregiver work preferred

• Desire to work with older adults and those who are memory impaired

• Nurse Aide 1 Certification, verifiable on Healthcare Personnel Registry or PCA certification

• Current Medication Aide Certification

• Ability to read, write and speak English

• Friendly, caring disposition

Physical Job Requirements

To fulfill job requirements, employee must be able to perform key physical tasks for extended periods of time. When supporting, lifting or transferring residents, proper body mechanics and safety measures as prescribed by residence must be used.

In a typical eight hour shift the employee may be asked to:

• Stand/walk up to 9 hours per day

• Sit up to 3 hours per day

• Frequently support up to 70 pounds

• Occasionally lift/carry up to 15 pounds

• Frequently kneel, bend, reach and carry

• Secure proper assistance for transferring and lifting of residents as needed