Medication Aide

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to administer and document all prescribed medications and to give PRN medication upon the instructions of the licensed nurse only and to function as a Certified Nursing Assistant. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Must be a Certified Medication Aide by the State and must also be a Certified Nursing Assistant in good standing with the State. 

2. Must have the ability to read, write and follow oral and written directions 

at a level necessary to accomplish the job. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: · 

A. 

Working under the supervision of a licensed vocational nurse or a registered professional nurse to perform the following duties: 

1. After authorization by the facility's licensed nurse or the resident's 

treating physician, administer PRN medications. Must document all PRN's according to State Standards in all areas of the chart. 

2. Observe for and report to the Charge Nurse reactions and side-effects 

of medication commonly administered to residents. 

3. Take and record vital signs prior to administration of medications which 

could affect or change the vital signs. 

4. Administer and document regularly prescribed medications which the 

medication aide is permitted to administer only after personally preparing those medications to be administered. The medication aide may document the administered medication in the resident's clinical chart. 

5. Administer oxygen per nasal cannula or a non-sealing face mask only in an emergency. Immediately after the emergency, the CMA shall verbally notify the licensed nurse on duty. 

6. At discretion of charge nurse, count narcotics, give all routine 

prescribed narcotics, document same on individual sheet and medication sheet. 

7. Apply specifically ordered ophthalmic, otic, and nasal medication. 

CMA Job Desc 

8. Chart accurately. Nurses Notes must be countersigned by licensed 

nurse. 

9. Ability to follow accurately all principals of good medication 

administration. 

10. Be aware of his/her limitations and not attempt to exceed them. 

11. Be willing to help with all work in whatever way possible. 

12. Observe and report as required all symptoms, reactions, changes 

and emergencies. 

13. Accomplish required and/or assigned documentation and reports. 

14. Maintain a personal appearance in accordance with the requirements of the facility and that contributes to the respect and dignity of the residents, including the wearing of required uniform. 

15. Maintain a working knowledge of the policies and procedures, 

standards, health and safety regulations of the Nursing Department. 

16. Understanding of standards techniques in personal service care of 

residents. 

17. Awareness of infection control policies and procedures. 

18. Assist with carrying out the provisions of the Health Care Plan. 

19. Detecting and correcting situations that could or have a high probability of causing accidents or injuries to residents. 

20. Participate in required training programs and requirements of the 

facility. 

21. Conservation of supplies and materials. 

22. Work as a member of the health care team, with flexibility, in order to 

assure that resident care is accomplished. 

23. Perform all other such duties and assignments as may be assigned. 

24. Adhere to all applicable rules, regulations, standards, policies and 

procedures. 

25. Report to work in a punctual manner and accomplish all assigned 

tasks in a timely manner. 

CMA Job Desc 

26. Participate in all required training as scheduled. 

27. Observe at all times Residents' Rights policies and procedures.. 

28. Observe at all times facility's safety policies and procedures. 

Practices or acts prohibited by Medication Aides after completing the State approved training program in medication administration: 

1. May NOT administer medications by the injection route: 

a. Intramuscular route 

b. Intravenous route c. Subcutaneous route d. Intradermal route 

e. Hypodermoclysis route 

2. May NOT administer medications used for intermittent positive 

pressure breathing (IPPB) treatments or other methods involving medication inhalation treatments. 

3. May NOT administer PRN medications unless authorization is 

obtained from the licensed nurse or the resident's treating physician: 

4. 

a. Medication Aides must document in nurses notes symptoms 

indicated for the need of the medication and the time the symptoms occurred. 

b. Medication Aides must document in nurses notes that the licensed nurse or the treating physician was contacted, symptoms were described, permission was granted to administer the medication, and the time the symptoms occurred: 

(1) Permission to grant the administration of medications shall 

be on an individual basis. 

(2) Permission to grant the administration of medications shall 

not be given prior to the time the symptoms occurred. 

c. The administration of the authorized PRN medication must be 

correctly documented. 

d. The Licensed Nurse giving permission for administration of the 

PRN medication shall co-sign the nurse notes. 

May NOT administer the initial dose of a medication that has not 

been previously administered to the resident. 

C. 

5. May NOT calculate any resident's medication doses for 

administration. The CMA may measure a prescribed amount of liquid medication to be administered. The CMA may break a tablet 

for administration to residents provided the licensed nurse has calculated the dosage. The medication card or its equivalent shall accurately document the tablet must be altered prior to adminsitration. 

6. May NOT crush medication unless the initial prior authorization is 

obtained from the licensed nurse. 

a. 

The licensed nurse shall document initially the 

authorization for the medication aide to crush medications on the appropriate medication record from which medications are administered. 

7. May NOT administer medications by way of the Nassau-gastric or 

gastrostomy tube. 

8. May NOT receive or assume responsibility for reducing to writing, 

verbal, or telephone orders from a physician. 

9. May NOT order residents' medication from a pharmacy. 

10. May NOT apply topical medications that involve the treatment of skin that is broken or when specified aseptic technique is ordered by the attending physician. 

Medication Aides must function in accordance with accepted 

pharmaceutical and nursing practices, and as set forth in these standards. 

1. Must be able to follow accurately all principals of good medication 

administration. 

2. Must be willing to cooperate with licensed nurse in charge and be 

accountable to her for all actions. 

3. Must be aware of her limitations and not attempt to exceed these. 

4. Must be willing to help with all work in whatever way possible. 

I have read and understand the functions and requirements of this position. I understand that this is not to be considered as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional duties for this position.