Job Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The purpose of the Certified Medicine Aide (CMA) position is to administer medications via oral, topic, and suppository route, under the supervision of the Charge Nurse. Administers medications in conformance with recognized standards established by the CMA program in the State of Maryland.

The CMA observes and reports symptoms, side effects of medications, and condition of residents to the Charge Nurse and/or ADON. Accurate records of treatments and medications will be maintained by the CMA following facility policy and procedures.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As a CMA, you are delegated the administrative 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 these 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:

• Follows the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents.

• Notes and reports errors in the administration of medications.

• Assists in developing and implementing procedures or programs of the facility that seek to determine what medication errors are taking place, when, where, and why they occur, and how they can be prevented.

• Performs administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charges, reports, etc., and submit these as may be required.

• Maintains a positive, productive, working relationship with other members of the department of nursing, attending physician, Medical Director, and pharmacists.

• Reports any complaints or grievances made by residents to the Charge Nurse/ADON.

• Participates and cooperates with any facility surveys made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Assistant Administrator or ADON.

• Reviews MAR\xe2\x80\x99s daily and gives ADON a list of missed signatures in the previous 24 hours (Day-shift responsibility).

• Makes Charge Nurse/ADON aware of all unusual occurrences/accidents that occur on unit during assigned shift, and completes unusual occurrence form per facility policy.

Committee Functions:

• Participates in Quality Assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and any other facility committee or program which affects the medication pass and seeks to improve the performance and accuracy of the medication administration process.

• Attends and participates in care plan meetings as necessary

Drug Administration Function:

• Accurately and safely prepares, administers, and documents the oral and/or topical medications that are commonly used in the facility and that may be ordered for resident use by the attending physician or the Medical Director.

• Has a thorough knowledge of medications, including but not limited to, side effects, and nursing implications.

• Verifies that any medications brought into the facility by a newly admitted resident are given to the Charge Nurse for dispensation.

• Follows the labeling policies and practices of the facility/pharmacy.

• Ensures that all medications administered are properly labeled.

• Assists with medication charting of progress notes as directed by the Charge Nurse.

• Follows facility procedures in regard to charting of medications.

• Follows the policy for treatments of superficial areas that do not require sterile technique dressings.

• Follows the facility policies and procedures regarding the destruction of non-narcotic medications including the documentation requirements.

• Identifies to the Charge Nurse narcotic medications that need to be destroyed.

• Assists in documentation and returning of medication to the pharmacy that are discontinued by the attending physician.

• Follows facility procedures regarding the non-receipt of medications and the receipt of medications in error and reports immediately to Charge Nurse/ADON.

• Completes a medication error report on any medication administration error or on a pharmacy error in filling a medication.

• Follows pharmacy/facility policy for holding medications for residents who are on MLOA.

• Accurately measures, records and reports the vital signs of residents.

• Reorders medications daily as needed following the pharmacy policies.

• Follows the pharmacy policies for utilizing the interim box to administer medications not yet received in the facility.

• Observes and verifies that medication is ingested or applied as directed. Documents any instance where prescribed medication is not administered, including reasons for refusal.

• Promptly notifies the Charge Nurse/ADON of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.

• Follows the policies of the facility regarding preparation and documentation on Medication Administration Records (MAR\xe2\x80\x99s) and Treatment Administration Records (TAR\xe2\x80\x99s).

• Ensures that no medication is administered without a written, signed and dated order from an attending licensed physician or nurse practitioner under his/her supervision.

• Follows the facility procedure for recording the order in the resident\xe2\x80\x99s clinical record, including the type, route, dosage, frequency, and strength of each medication.

• Verifies the identity of the resident before administering the medication treatment.

• Follows the facility\xe2\x80\x99s procedures allowing residents to self-administer their medications.

• Assists the Charge Nurse in monitoring and documenting all aspects of self-administering, notifying the Charge Nurse of any failure of resident to properly take such medications.

• Notifies the Charge Nurse to assess a resident who has requested a PO narcotic to assess the need for the medication prior to administering under Charge Nurse\xe2\x80\x99s direction.

• Administers an over the counter medication at the resident\xe2\x80\x99s request per the pharmacy policies.

• Follows established guidelines concerning the storage of drugs and biologicals.

• Is 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.

• Participates in the development and implementation of the resident\xe2\x80\x99s comprehensive assessment as necessary.

Education Requirements:

• Must possess as a minimum a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have completed a Certified Medicine Aide Course in accordance with the laws in the State of Maryland and maintain certification with Update courses as indicated by regulation.
• Must have completed Certified Geriatric Nurses Aide course and maintain yearly certification.
• Must have completed Basic Life Support (CPR and AED) program, up to date.

Experience:

• One year experience as a Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistant.
• Supervision from Charge Nurse/ADON.

We offer our employees an outstanding benefits package including: Health, Dental, and Vision Plans; Company matched 401K plan, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time, Mentoring Programs, Years of Service Awards, and Tuition Assistance.

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Atlee Hill Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center