CERTIFIED MEDICATION AIDE

JOB SUMMARY:

The Certified Medication Aide (CMA) will perform within the guidelines outlined according to the Texas Certified Medication Aide state law and board. He/She is responsible for the administration of medication to the residents in a designated area of the facility. He/She is knowledgeable of the information as outlined on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan and follows the plan. He/She communicates with the Licensed Staff and other department heads of the resident’s needs. He/She reports all relevant observations to the Licensed Staff assigned to the unit in a timely manner. He/She attends in-services and staff meetings as required. The Certified Medication Aide is responsible to the Licensed Staff assigned to the specific unit.

EDUCATION:

Must be able to read, write, and follow oral instructions. High school education or equivalent is preferred. Must be at certified with the State as Certified Medication Aide.

QUALIFCATIONS:

1. Has the ability to organize, plan and supervise care of a group of residents assuring quality is provided at all times for this group as well as others in the facility.
2. Maintains effective interpersonal relationships.
3. Is of good emotional, mental and physical health having sound judgment and high standards.
4. Is willing and capable of providing emergency care as needed for any resident in the facility.
5. Is courteous in working with residents, families, and employees.
6. Maintains a neat, well groomed appearance at all times. Keeps personal appearance appropriate for resident care.
7. Has a desire to work with the geriatric resident and their current and prospective needs.
8. Must be in the facility ready to begin assigned duties on time and as scheduled.
9. Must be willing to work preferred shifts as scheduled and assist on other shifts as needed to assure adequate staffing to meet the needs of each resident.
10. Must have the ability to provide the care as outlined on the interdisciplinary Care Plan and other assignments for each resident in assigned group.
11. Must demonstrate ability to function as a cooperative team member with each member of the Nursing Department and other departments.
12. Must have ability to provide bedside resident care services as per facility policy and procedures.
13. Must display ability to adapt to on-the-job training and adhere to standards of the facility providing personal care services, assisting residents, caring for equipment and supplies and developing good understanding of basis of aseptic and sterile techniques.
14. Must be able and willing to function appropriately in a disaster or evacuation of the facility.
15. Must demonstrate ability to follow direction of supervising staff.
16. Must have a pre-employment and an annual Tuberculosis screening examination.

RESPONSIBILTIES:

It is to be understood that the Certified Medication Aide works by general, consistent, prearranged “Primary” group assignments as the basis of the activity for the shift, but must be able to accept changes and adapt to added assignments as the need arises. Also, each Certified Medication Aide must work with each other to assure safe practices for each resident and staff are followed.

1. Responsible for maintaining the medication cart and supplies.
2. Checking and reordering of floor stock in the medication rooms, carts and supply rooms.
3. Document in a Medication Administration Record (MAR) routine and PRN medication administered to residents.
4. Preparing for Medication Pass:
   • Disposable containers are used (soufflé cups, water cups, liquid measuring cups, oral syringes, spoons, tongue blades and/or straws)
   • Label drawers/card to identify resident medications
   • Cart is cleaned on a routine “as needed” basis
   • Waterless hand gels are easily accessible
   • Pill Crusher is available
   • Sharps container and trash are accessible
   • Medication drawers should be arranged in the same sequence as on the MAR
5. Authorized certified staff must understand:
   • Indication/reasons for therapy
   • Effectiveness of the therapeutic goal
   • Drug reactions
   • The Seven (7) Rights for administering medication
     1. The Right Resident
     2. The Right Drug
     3. The Right Dose
     4. The Right Time
     5. The Right Route
     6. The Right Charting
     7. The Right Results
6. Medications are prepared, administered and recorded by the same authorized staff.
7. Medications are administered one (1) hour before or one (1) hour after the designated medication’s pass time.
8. Initial and signature verification of staff administering medication are documented according to regulations.
9. Medications supplied for a resident are not administered to another resident.
10. Medication carts are to remain locked when not in use.
11. Keys to the medication cart and medication room are to be kept with authorized staff member at all times.
12. The Certified Medication Aide must seek assistance for the nursing when any aspect of medication administration is in question.
13. Performs other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Use the percentages range as follows:

• 0% Never
• 1 - 33% Occasional
• 34 - 66% Frequent
• 67 - 100% Continuous

Requires full range of body motion including:

1. Standing/Walking: Continuously .

• Worker will be walking or standing almost continuously during each tour of duty.

2. Bending/Stooping: Continuously .

• Worker will be bending and stooping to assist residents, co-workers, etc. almost consistently during each tour of duty.

3. Lifting/Handling: Continuously .

• Worker will be lifting residents as each resident needs, some residents needing to be totally lifted or limbs may be lifted. Worker will be lifting various equipment for resident’s needs, etc. Worker would be expected to lift, with assistance, up to 300 pounds using equipment or other personnel to assist in the lifting.

4. Carrying: Continuously .

• Worker will be carrying linens, equipment, etc. almost consistently during each tour of duty. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

5. Push/Pull: Frequently .

• Worker will be pushing and pulling to transport residents about their rooms or facility assisting with activities of daily living: changing bed linens, transporting linen barrels and other equipment.

6. Balancing: Frequently .

• Worker will be balancing when assisting residents to transfer or transport, when changing bed linens, etc.

7. Twisting/Turning: Frequently .

• Worker will be twisting or turning when assisting residents to transfer or transport, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), using various equipment, etc.

8. Crouching/Stooping: Frequently .

• Worker will be crouching or stooping when assisting residents to do ADLs, gather equipment, provide care for the residents, etc.

9. Kneeling: Occasionally .

• Worker will be kneeling when assisting residents to do ADLs, etc.

10. Reaching

• Worker will be reaching when assisting residents to do ADLs, gathering equipment, providing care for the residents, etc.

1. Greater than shoulder height: Occasionally .
2. Equal to shoulder height: Occasionally .
3. Less than shoulder height: Occasionally .

11. Handling/Manual Dexterity: Continuously .

• Both fine and gross motor skills are needed for all tasks throughout the working day.

12. Speaking/Hearing/Seeing: Continuously .

• Must be able to communicate with residents, co-workers, families, etc. continuously throughout the day.

JOB LOCATION:

Must work throughout all nursing areas of the facility. May require working irregular hours and may be exposed to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, medical preparations, toxic substances and occasionally ionizing radiation.