Certified Medication Aide - Byrd Unit

About the Role

Performs technical duties in the field of patient care and participates in the general health care of patients by providing assistance with cleanliness, grooming, rest, activity, nourishment, and distribution of medications. Assists the professional staff in maintaining a safe therapeutic environment within correctional and juvenile detention facilities.

Responsibilities

• Collects, reports, and documents data: vital signs, height and weight, intake and output, pulse oximetry, and collects specimens.
• Performs and reports Point of Care Testing.
• Assists with patient activities and care as assigned by the charge nurse/designee as indicated by the patient's plan of care.
• Provides for patients' personal hygiene: bathes patients, performs oral suctioning and superficial wound care, assists with chronic wound care, provides skin care for patients with TED hose, SCD, casts, skeletal pins, assists with elimination, cares for the incontinent patient, cares for the patient with a urinary catheter, assists or gives cleansing enemas, sitz baths, non-sterile douches, and provides ostomy care.
• Assists with feeding.
• Ambulates, positions, and turns patients and cares for the patient with altered mobility.
• Assists with patient safety related to age and condition: assists with patient restraints, assists with patient-specific safety precautions, collects, reports, and documents data related to patient needs/emergencies and usual patient behavior, and cares for the patient in a correctional environment.
• On incoming facilities, interviews incoming patients and completes receiving/screening form; informs nurses and/or physicians/advanced practice providers of patients with health problems who need immediate attention; records on newly received patients; maintains statistical logs required for periodic reports; performs all duties necessary for psychiatric referrals and screening.
• Assists in the maintenance of a safe, comfortable facility environment; obtains, stores, and maintains pharmacy and nursing medications/supplies.
• Distributes and documents patients' medications, both in general population and administrative segregation, from filled prescriptions, abiding by Title 40, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 95, "Licensing Standards for Medication Aides Handbook".
• Ensures drug room security, replaces facility working drug stocks, and maintains the upkeep of facility drug room and pharmaceutical equipment.
• Enters medication compliance into the pharmacy computer system.
• Maintains patients' privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times.
• Practices basic cost containment and utilization management for patient care and facility operations.
• Prioritizes and organizes work so that required assignments are completed within specified timeframe.
• Promotes positive interpersonal relationships among co-workers and Security.
• Participates in in-service orientation and continuing education classes. Obtains 40 hours of continuing education/in-service hours on an annual basis to meet ACA standards.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structures established for the department.
• Performs related duties as required.

Work Environment

• Located in a clean and safe medical facility within the confines of a prison, jail, or juvenile detention center.
• Conditions such as noise, odors, cramped work space, and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort.
• Moderate to extreme physical effort may be required, such as walking, standing, and lifting materials, equipment, objects, and/or patients. Lifting may be heavy and awkward, over 50 lbs.
• Vision, hearing, talking, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to quickly and accurately perform tasks such as reading small print, reading from monitoring equipment, and defining details.
• Frequent periods of concentrated or focused attention will be needed to interpret visual, auditory, and sensory inputs.
• Shift work is required. Alertness and careful attention to detail are necessary to avoid injury.
• May be assigned to more than one facility.
• May be exposed to occupational hazards such as communicable diseases, radiation, chemotherapeutic agents, and disoriented or combative patients.
• May be required to be on standby and work extended or alternate shifts in situations deemed necessary by nurse manager.
• Able to work under stress and be emotionally capable of coping with complex and/or changing activities.
• Security clearance is required; pre-employment drug testing is also required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Current Texas Certified Medication Aide permit.