10-6 Med Tech Weekends

About the role

Assist in administering medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician, under the direction of the attending physician, the nurse supervisor or charge nurse, and the Director of Nursing Services. Administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, facility policies, procedures, and state requirements.

Responsibilities

• Follow facility policies and procedures governing medication administration.
• Note and report errors in medication administration.
• Assist in developing and implementing procedures to identify medication errors, determine when, where, and why they occur, and how they can be prevented.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, and submitting them as required.
• Maintain a friendly, productive working relationship with nursing department members, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.
• Report complaints or grievances made by residents to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Participate and cooperate with facility surveys (inspections) by authorized government agencies as requested.
• Participate in Quality Assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and other facility committees or programs that affect the medication pass and seek to improve medication process performance and accuracy.
• Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document oral and/or topical medications commonly used in the facility and ordered for resident use.
• Verify that medications brought in by newly admitted residents are examined and identified by the attending physician or facility pharmacy/pharmacist.
• Follow facility policies for destroying medications and assist in carrying out these rules under direction of the facility pharmacist or Director of Nursing Services, including documentation requirements.
• Follow facility labeling policies and ensure all administered medications are properly labeled.
• Follow facility procedures for charting medications.
• Assist in documenting and removing medications discontinued by the attending physician.
• Follow facility procedures for drug receipt errors, including notifying the delivery source and the Director of Nursing Services, and ensure documentation includes a written error report signed by an observer/witness and you.
• Follow facility procedures for holding medications for residents who are transferred or when medications are discontinued.
• Observe and verify medication is ingested or applied as directed.
• Document instances where prescribed medication is not administered, including reason(s) for refusal.
• Promptly notify the Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, or Director of Nursing Services of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.
• Verify resident identity before administering medication treatment.
• Accurately measure, record, and report resident vital signs.
• Follow facility procedures for residents who self-administer medications.
• Be familiar with common medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms related to medication administration as used by the facility, pharmacists, and physicians.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs to stay current in the profession and maintain certification.
• Do not disclose resident protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations to the Administrator.
• Report known or suspected unauthorized attempts to access the facility's information system.
• Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with established policies and procedures and as instructed by supervisors.
• Follow work assignments and schedules in completing assigned tasks.
• Cooperate with inter-departmental and other facility personnel to ensure nursing services adequately meet resident needs.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information, including protected health information, and report known or suspected unauthorized disclosures.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school education or equivalent.
• Licensed Medication Aide having successfully completed a state-approved training program and necessary examination(s) in accordance with state laws.

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and employees.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.