Medication Technician (PRN)

About the Role

This is an as needed (PRN) position with varied hours and shifts at the South Dakota Developmental Center (SDDC). The Medication Technician carries out individual training, behavior management, and therapy programs to ensure each person served develops to their fullest potential. This role maintains a structured, healthy environment while providing continual guidance regarding life skills, academic skills, and work skills to ensure appropriate social interaction.

Responsibilities

• Implement approved behavioral intervention techniques
• Accompany individuals to appointments as necessary
• Provide support and motivation through interactions with clients
• Participate in close observation of clients
• Redirect unacceptable behavior when possible and apply physical restraint if necessary, utilizing non-violent crisis intervention techniques to defuse potentially violent situations
• Administer medications and treatments to clients and maintain medication records to ensure accurate dispensing of medications
• Handle hazardous medications
• Lift up to 50 lbs

Licenses and Certifications

• Must complete the South Dakota Medication Certification course

Qualifications

A licensed nurse may delegate the administration of medications authorized only to unlicensed assistive personnel who have a minimum of high school education or the equivalent and who are registered with the Board of Nursing.

Ideal Candidate

• Current Medication Certification or past experience passing medications

Knowledge

• Techniques used in conducting teaching plans for people with developmental disabilities
• Facility routine
• Basic social skills
• Principles of basic human behavior
• Safety procedures and practices
• Basic health care
• Protective health measures
• Physical and emotional needs of people served

Skills

• Prepare routine reports
• Follow established policies and procedures
• Carry out procedures of teaching or treatment plans with people served
• Understand and apply instructions
• Communicate information clearly and concisely
• Compare information and recognize discrepancies
• Use a computer and applicable data entry software
• Quickly analyze and react to emergency and stressful situations while remaining calm
• Exercise tact and discretion in dealing with others

Abilities

• Be a positive role model
• Make effective decisions in emergencies
• Lead the people in assigned tasks
• Provide academic guidance
• Follow established policies and procedures
• Carry out procedures of teaching or treatment plans with people served
• Accurately observe and report individuals' behavior and other responses to treatment
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with staff and persons served
• Provide work direction to staff regarding methods to assist people with developmental disabilities as needed
• Prepare routine reports

Pay

• $20.47–$24.08 hourly, depending on qualifications
• $1.00 shift differential for the 2:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. shift
• $1.50 shift differential for the 10:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. shift
• All weekend shifts receive an extra $1.00 differential