Qualified Medication Aide (QMA)

Lincolnshire Health and Rehabilitation Center -

Primary Job Function

The primary purpose of this position is providing for the medication administration, daily care, health needs, safety, and comfort of the residents under the supervision and direction of a Staff Nurse.

Primary Responsibilities

Receiving and following written / verbal care assignments and providing for the daily care of residents .  This includes :

Administering and documenting oral medications, eye medications, topical medications, suppository medications, ear drops, and all others as ordered by the physician (this does not include INJECTIONS as this is outside the scope of the QMA’s practice). Also includes administering and documenting PRN medications only under the direction of staff nurse;

Performing treatments on minor skin conditions (i.e., dermatitis, scabies, Pediculosis, fungal-infection, psoriasis, eczema, first-degree burn, stage one decubitus ulcers) per physician orders;

Maintaining locked medication cart and medication keys according to facility policy;

Assisting residents with their bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, skin care, grooming, nail care and dressing needs;

Feeding residents, providing bedside water, providing snacks, and transferring residents to and from dining areas as needed and in compliance with nutritional plan of care;

Checking catheters frequently and providing catheter care as assigned by nurse;

Assisting residents, including bedfast and comatose residents, in turning, positioning, exercising, transferring and ambulation as needed per facility protocol;

Answering resident call lights and responding to resident’s request for assistance in a timely manner in accordance to facility policy;

Checking on / assisting restrained residents and releasing restraints according to facility policy ;

Maintaining resident rooms by making bed or changing bed linens, cleaning bedside table and organizing personal belongings, as needed;

Observing and reporting any signs of change in the resident’s appetite, skin condition, behaviors, or reactions to medications according to facility policy;

Offering emotional support and actively listening to residents which will help them develop trust and achieve independence in daily living .  Also includes educating residents on their medications and possible side effects as needed;

Maintaining the confidentiality of all residents and their care to ensure resident rights and privacy are protected at all times ;

Reporting and documenting resident and / or visitor incidents, accidents, complaints or allegations according to the facility’s policy and procedure using the designated occurrence reporting system.

Providing medical record documentation in accordance with facility policy as indicated by :

Documenting all medications and treatments given in the medication record and in the nurses notes according to policy;

Taking and monitoring vital signs, intake and outputs, weights, and meal consumptions as assigned by staff nurse;