KMA part-time/prn

Responsibilities

• Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents.
• Note and report errors in the administration of medications.
• Assist in developing and implementing procedures or programs to determine what medication errors are taking place, when, where, and why they occur, and how they can be prevented.
• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, etc., and submit these as required.
• Maintain a friendly, productive, working relationship with other members of the nursing department, attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists.
• Report any complaints or grievances made by residents to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Participate and cooperate with any facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services.
• Participate in Quality Assurance programs, the Pharmaceutical Services Committee, and any other facility committee or program that affects the medication pass and seeks to improve performance and accuracy.
• Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document oral and/or topical medications commonly used in the facility and ordered by the attending physician or Medical Director.
• Verify medications brought into the facility by a newly admitted resident are examined and identified by the attending physician or facility pharmacy/pharmacist.
• Follow facility policies and procedures regarding the destruction of medications, including documentation requirements under the direction of the facility pharmacist or Director of Nursing Services.
• Follow facility labeling policies and practices to ensure all medications administered are properly labeled.
• Follow facility procedures for charting medications and documenting discontinued medications.
• Follow facility procedures governing drug receipt errors, including notifying the delivery source and Director of Nursing Services, and documenting the error with a signed report.
• Follow facility procedures for holding medications for residents who are transferred or when medications are discontinued by the attending physician.
• Observe and verify that medication is ingested or applied as directed; document instances where prescribed medication is not administered, including reasons for refusal.
• Promptly notify the Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, or Director of Nursing Services of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.
• Verify the identity of the resident before administering medication.
• Accurately measure, record, and report the vital signs of residents.
• Follow the facility's procedures allowing residents to self-administer medications.
• Be familiar with common medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms relative to medication administration.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs to maintain professional certification and stay abreast of changes in the profession.
• Agree not to disclose residents' protected health information and report suspected or known violations to the Administrator.
• Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempts to access the facility's information system.
• Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with established policies and procedures, as instructed by supervisors.
• Follow work assignments and schedules to complete assigned tasks.
• Cooperate with interdepartmental personnel to ensure nursing services meet residents' needs.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information, including protected health information, and report unauthorized disclosures.

Qualifications

• Must possess, as a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent.
• Must be a licensed Medication Aide, having successfully completed a state-approved training program and any 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 mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must 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 be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.