Find & Apply For Medication Aide / Technician Jobs in Leonardtown, Maryland

Certified Medication Aide (CMA) Purpose of Your Job Position The primary purpose of your job position is to prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician, under the direction of the attending physician, the nurse supervisor or charge nurse, and the Director of Nursing (DON). The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, policies, procedures and practices of the facility and state requirements. Delegation of Authority As a Certified Medicine Aide (CMA) you are delegated the authority, responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. Job Functions Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that theses are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative Functions Follow polices and procedures of the facility governing the administering of mediations to residents. Note and report errors in the administration of medications when they arise. Assist in developing and implementing procedures or programs of the facility that seek to determine what medication errors are taking place, when, w, and why they occur, and how they can be prevented. Use only authorized abbreviations established by this facility when recording information. Check assignment sheet on a daily basis. Observe and report general physical and mental condition of each resident to the Nurse Supervisor, Charge Nurse or Unit Manager as soon as practical. Verify resident information for the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) as directed by Charge Nurse on a timely basis. Use the residents wristbands to identify residents before administering treatments, servicing meals, rendering care, etc., as necessary. Assist with Dining Room and check documentation and availability for all snacks to residents. Maintain a friendly, productive, working relationship with other members of the department of nursing, attending physician, the Medical Director, and pharmacists. Report all accidents and incidents you observe on the shift that they occur. Answer resident calls promptly. Obtain written reorders for medications as need from the pharmacy or as directed by the Charge Nurse. Drug Administration Functions Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document the oral and/or topical medications that are commonly used in this facility and that may be ordered for resident use by the attending physician or the Medical Director. Verify that any medications brought into the facility by a newly admitted resident are examined and identified by the attending physician or charge nurse. Check expiration dates on all medications before administering them to the resident. Follow the labeling policies and practices of the facility. Ensure that all medications administered are properly labeled. Write the date on all non-unit dose medications opened. Assist with medication charting as directed by the Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse. Follow facility procedures in regard to charting of medications. Follow facility policies and procedures regarding the destroying of medications; assist in carrying out these rules under the direction of the facility pharmacy or DON, including the documentation requirements. Assist in documenting and removing medications that are discontinued by the attending physician. Assist with hydration program. Follow facility procedures governing drug receipt errors, including notifying the delivery source and the Director of Nursing. Accurately measure, record, and report the vital signs of residents. Ambulate residents according to physician orders Observe and verify that medication is ingested or applied as directed. Documents any instance w prescribed medication is not administered, including reason(s) for refusal. Promptly notify the Unit Manager, Nurse Supervisor, or Director of Nursing of any errors or reactions to medications by residents. Follow the medication card practices of the facility. Ensure that no medication is administered without a written, signed, dated order from an attending licensed physician. Follow the facility procedure for recording the order in the residents clinical record, including the type, route, dosage, frequency and strength of each medication. Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication treatment. Follow the facility procedure allowing residents to self-administer their medications. Assist the Nurse Supervisor or Unit Manager in monitoring and documenting all aspect of such self-administering. Promptly notify the Nurse Supervisor or Unit Manager of any failure of a resident to properly take any self-administered medications. Follow established guidelines concerning the storage of drugs and biologicals. Be familiar with the meaning and usage of common medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms relative to the administration of medications as used by the facility pharmacists, and physicians. Participate in the development and implementation of the residents comprehensive assessment as necessary. Perform accurate pulse and blood pressure procedures, recognizing their significance in drug therapy and documenting on the Medication Administration Report (MAR) as required. Follow established policies concerning exposure to blood/body fluids. May sign and have access to the controlled scheduled drug cabinet.

PRN MEDICINE

• To be administered only under the following directive:

For Non-Legend PRN Drugs:

CMAs can administer under the supervision of a ed Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

For Legend PRN Drugs:

CMAs inform the Charge Nurse who must first make a bedside assessment and written documentation of that assessment before giving permission to the CMA to administer these medications. Document the reasons that effect of the PRN medication given on the medication sheet. Prepare list of PRNs given and why, at end of 8 hours and/or end of shift. Perform all other resident related duties as assigned. Notify appropriate team member of residents needs noticed during med pass. CMAs Prohibited from Performing the

Following Functions:

Transcribing doctors original orders to medicine charts or Kardexs. Accepting verbal or telephone orders from a physician. Administering any parental medications. Administering any substances by nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes. Receiving instruction for or being placed in Charge level responsibilities. Staff Development Attend and participate in scheduled training and educational classes designed to keep you abreast of change in your profession, as well as to maintain your certification on a current status. Attend and participate in scheduled orientation programs and in-services. Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard. Attend and participate in advance directive in-service training programs as scheduled. Rotate shits and nursing units as required according to needs of the department. Must attend mandatory in-services annually on the following issues: Resident Rights, Discrimination, and Confidentiality Issues Elder Abuse Violence in the Workplace Accident Prevention/ Safety Issues Psychosocial Issues/ Dementia Combative Behavior Infection Control Program Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Committee Functions Open to volunteer on various committees of the facility (i.e., Safety Committee, Employee Incentive, Employee Communications Committee). Safety and Sanitation Participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids. Wash hands before and after performing any service for the resident. Wash hands before entering and after leaving an isolation room/area. Keep the nurses call system within easy reach of the resident. Immediately notify the Nurse Supervisor, Charge Nurse and Unit Manager of any resident leaving or missing from the facility. Keep floors dry. Report spills immediately. Clean, disinfect, and return all resident care equipment to its designated storage after each use. Before leaving work area for breaks, or at the end of the workday, store all tools, equipment, and supplies. Report all hazardous conditions and equipment to the Nurse Supervisor immediately. Report all safety violations. Follow established smoking regulations. Report all violations. Report any communicable or infectious disease to the DON and/or to the Infection Control Coordinator. Follow established isolation precautions and procedures. Responsible for knowledge and use of standard precautions for wearing the appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment when performing duties of handling blood and potentially infectious materials and such clothing shall be removed prior to leaving the work are. Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents. Report missing/illegible labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) to your Supervisor. Resident Rights Maintain confidentiality of all resident information. Ensure that resident interviews are conducted in private. Ensure that you treat all residents fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect. Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy (i.e. pull curtains, close doors, close blinds, etc.). Explain to the resident the necessity of isolation and/or standard precautions as appropriate. Report any complains or grievances made by residents to the DON. Report incidents or suspected incident of resident abuse to the DON immediately. Knock before entering the residents room. Report all grievance and complaints made by the resident to the Nurse Supervisor or Unit Manager. Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property. Honor the residents refusal of treatment request. Report such request to Nurse Supervisor. Working Conditions Works throughout the nursing service area (i.e., nurses stations, resident rooms/ dining rooms, etc.). Moves intermittently during working hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions. Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department personnel. Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary. Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.). Is subject to temperature changes and loud noises in various work areas. Is subject to extensive physical movements such as climbing stairs, kneeling, bending, turning, lifting, heavy lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling. May be involved in community/civic health matters/projects. Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents needs. Attends and participates in continuing educational programs Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workdays, as well as reaction from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and other air contaminants. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Moves intermittently during working hours and is subject to frequent interruptions. Is subject to changes in assignment.

Requirements:

Educational Requirements Must possess a High School Diploma, or GED. Must possess certification/license from the Maryland Registry for Geriatric Nursing Assistants Must possess certification/license from the Maryland Board of Nursing, Nursing Assistant certification. Must possess certification for completion on the Maryland Certified Medication Aide course. Experience Previous experience in a hospital or long term care facility preferred. Sincere desire to work with the elderly and disabled. Specific Requirements Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public. Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel. Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents. Must demonstrate an understanding of gerontological concepts. Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices. Must be able to relate information concerning a residents condition. Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace. Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices) Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of the position. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirement of this position can be fully met. Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies and outside agencies. Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination. Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people with the facility. Must be able to accommodate the indicated weight (pounds) performing such duties:

• Lifting (100)
• Pulling/Pushing (200)
• Carrying (50-75) May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the residents blood/body fluids.