Medication Aide - NC Only

Med Aide

Fulltime 2:45pm-11:15pm

DEPARTMENT: Nursing Services

SUPERVISOR: Director of Nursing

WORK AREA: Assigned Nursing Unit

PURPOSE: To assist and support the licensed nurse in timely and accurate administration of medications to the resident in the skilled nursing facility.

WORKING HOURS: Hours of work are 0 to 80 hours per pay period plus or minus as business needs and assigned by the Director of Nursing or designee.

THIS PERSON REPORTS TO:

Director of Nursing

HIPPA MINIMUM NECESSARY: Responsible to adhere to HIPPA minimum necessary guidelines and safeguard protected health information.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Well-lighted, well-ventilated nursing units and rooms. May stand, stoop, bend and walk intermittently during the work day. May have to deal with emotional disturbances of residents, residents family and staff. May be subject to falls, burns from equipment, scratches, and kicks from confused residents. May be exposed to certain peculiarities of the aged. May be required to lift residents and must be on constant alert for prevention of resident and self-injury.

DUTIES:

• Must maintain complete confidentiality of resident / facility information, medical records, and family information.
• Clock in and out at designated time. Clock in and out when leaving the facility for any reason other than facility business.
• Report to the nursing units in proper attire with name tag.
• When indicated, answers phone and direct calls.
• May make phone calls to other departments or nursing units within the facility as indicated.
• May assist with paperwork for resident admission to facility, transfer from facility, physicians appointments, leave of absence from facility, death forms, inter-facility communication forms, room changes, etc., new dietary orders and lab reports (i.e., making copies).
• May offer between meal nourishments or snacks and assist residents with meals.
• May perform the technical aspects of medication administration per the following routes: oral, eye, ear, nasal, inhalant, transdermal, topical, vaginal and rectal. Must be aware of resident allergies.
• May perform tasks as assigned by the supervisor, after instruction and successful return demonstration.
• Must respect the residents right to confidentiality and privacy regarding health status, diagnosis of illness and medications they are taking.
• Follows the facility standards and policies in hygiene and infection control.
• Must follow the six rights of medication administration: right resident, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.
• Follows clear, complete, specific instructions documented on the medication administration record.
• Must seek advice from his/her supervisor before giving medication to the resident anytime something unusual or concerning occurs (i.e., unable to arouse resident to take medication, is vomiting or cannot swallow well or the resident seems different in any way).
• Correctly document medications that were taken. If the resident did not take medications a clear explanation to be documented on the back of the MAR or in the EMR and reported to the supervisor as soon as possible to do so.
• Refer any questions from the resident about medications to the supervisor for follow-up.
• If there is anything different about the resident or the medications they are taking, talk to the supervisor prior to giving the medication.
• Report any errors or suspected variances, in the administration of medications to the supervisor immediately.
• Must not accept medication cart keys at beginning of shift, nor turn keys over to on-coming shift without a thorough and complete count of controlled substances. Keys may not be passed on until any potential medication discrepancies have been reported to the supervisor and have been resolved with medication count reconciled per policy and procedure and sign 8-hour audit sheet.
• Understands that transcription and verification of medication orders, including telephone, fax and PRN are the responsibility of the licensed nurse only.
• Medications are not to be administered until the orders are resident specific with clear, concise written instructions.
• Must review PRN medications with supervisor prior to administering.
• Documents PRN medication results in a timely manner.
• When in doubt, concerning any aspect of or related to medication administration, clarify with supervisor prior to administration.
• Establishes a good rapport with residents, families and co-workers.
• Assist in providing direct resident care (i.e., personal care, bath, elimination needs, O.O.B. regime, etc.).
• Attends specific in-service programs when scheduled.
• Attends staff meetings as assigned.
• Successful completion of a 90-day probationary period.
• Demonstrate competency using current clinical software system.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor.