CMA

About the Role

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in administering medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician, under the direction of the nurse supervisor, charge nurse, or Director of Nursing Services. This role ensures medication administration aligns with established nursing standards, facility policies, and state requirements.

Responsibilities

• Follow facility policies and procedures for administering medications to residents.
• Note and report errors in medication administration.
• Assist in developing and implementing programs to identify, analyze, and prevent medication errors.
• Complete administrative tasks such as forms, charts, and reports as required.
• Maintain productive working relationships with nursing staff, physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.
• Report resident complaints or grievances to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Participate in facility surveys, inspections, and Quality Assurance programs.
• Accurately prepare, administer, and document oral and topical medications as prescribed.
• Verify medications brought in by newly admitted residents with the attending physician or facility pharmacist.
• Follow facility policies for destroying medications, including proper documentation.
• Ensure all medications are properly labeled and charted.
• Assist in documenting and removing discontinued medications.
• Follow procedures for drug receipt errors, including written error reports.
• Hold medications for residents transferred or when medications are discontinued by the physician.
• Observe and verify medication ingestion or application; document refusals and reasons.
• Promptly report medication errors or adverse reactions to the Charge Nurse or Director of Nursing.
• Verify resident identity before administering medication.
• Measure, record, and report resident vital signs.
• Follow procedures for resident self-administration of medications.
• Understand and use common medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms.
• Attend continuing education programs to maintain certification and stay updated on professional changes.
• Protect resident health information and report unauthorized disclosures.
• Report unauthorized access attempts to the facility’s information system.
• Perform assigned tasks in accordance with facility policies and supervisor instructions.
• Cooperate with inter-departmental personnel to maintain nursing services.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Licensed Medication Aide with completion of a state-approved training program and necessary examinations.

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or regulations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to present information and respond to questions from managers and employees.
• Proficiency in applying mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Ability to solve practical problems with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Prolonged use of a desktop or laptop computer.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, or hear.
• Frequent use of office equipment such as copier, scanner, fax, telephone, and calculator.
• May assist in evacuating residents during emergencies.

Work Environment

• Low to moderate noise level.
• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.