Med Aide Job Description

Title: Med Aide

Immediate Supervisor: Clinical Coordinator under the supervision of the Administrator

Summary of Job Responsibilities:

It is the responsibility of the Medication Aide (“MA”) to provide health maintenance cares in accordance with established policies and procedures, and as directed by the Administrator and/or RN/ LPN to assure that the highest degree of quality tenant care be always maintained.

It is also the responsibility of the MA to dispense medication carried out by the specific procedures and orders necessary for proper preparation and provision of oral medication and additional activities and to provide care in accordance with established policies and procedures.

This is all at the direction and monitoring of the RN

Duties:

• Perform all assigned duties in accordance with Kingswood Courts’ policies and procedures in health maintenance activities.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all departmental co-workers to ensure that services and activities are properly maintained to meet the needs of the tenants.
• Give and receive reports upon arrival and completion of shift hours.
• Review medication sheets for completeness of information, accuracy in transcription of physician’s orders, and adherence to stop order policies. Report discrepancies to RN.
• Review tenant’s medical record for appropriate tenant goals, problems, approaches, etc., to ensure appropriate health maintenance cares are being given.
• Perform therapeutic measures prescribed by attending physician including medications and treatments, within the limitations of Med Aide certification.
• Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, including self-help/care.
• Take temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc., and chart as required.
• Provide medications according to the five rights.
• Assist as directed, in admitting, transferring, and discharging tenants.
• Assist, as directed, with orientation of new tenants/family members/newly assigned personnel as necessary.
• Provide additional activities in accordance with State standards, according to Kingswood Courts’ policies and procedures, and under the direction and monitoring of the RN. A written statement of competency will be placed in the employee file.
• Must be aware of limitations and not attempt to exceed them.
• Recognize general conditions which may indicate an adverse reaction to medication commonly provided to tenants, and report conditions to facility’s RN in a timely fashion.
• Report all medication errors to the RN in a timely manner and complete the necessary forms.
• Recognize and report to RN any identified symptoms and/or behavior changes of tenants.
• Record on tenant’s health record and in the communication book.
• Chart, as directed, the care provided and the tenant’s response to care, in the tenant’s health records in an informative, legible, and descriptive manner.
• Ensure that tenants’ rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy and civil rights are followed.
• Report any suspected abuse immediately to the Clinical Coordinator.
• MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALL TENANT CARE INFORMATION.
• Attend and participate in all mandatory in-service educational programs, on-the-job training programs, staff meetings, etc., for the purposes of continuing educational knowledge, identifying and correcting problems, and the improvement of health maintenance cares.
• Report all accidents/incidents to Clinical Coordinator, regardless of how minor, and fill out reports as directed.
• Keep work areas free of hazardous conditions and report all hazardous conditions/malfunctioning equipment to Maintenance or Administrator.
• Assure medication, supplies, equipment, etc. are always maintained at adequate levels. Inform Administrator of equipment and supply needs as directed; keep necessary areas locked.
• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing your assigned shift as required.
• Set and clean tables, serve meals, provide limited dining assistance, dispense snacks, clean kitchen, etc. as scheduled.
• Maintain laundry/linen service in a clean sanitary, safe, orderly, attractive manner.
• Must be able to lift wet laundry and receive and follow laundry schedule.
• Collect, sort (separating items which require special stain removal/treatment) and wash soiled laundry placing in appropriate containers/assigned areas in accordance with operating policies and procedures.
• Follow infection control procedures and maintain established procedures on cross-contamination, infectious material, etc., to ensure that the highest degree of cleanliness and sanitation is always maintained.
• Assure that work areas are clean and equipment, supplies, etc. are properly stored before leaving work areas on break, at the end of day, etc.
• Encourage tenants to be as independent as possible. Assist with service and all aspects of tenant cares, however, do not accomplish tasks for tenants unless necessary.
• Perform housekeeping duties in the apartments, commons areas, and throughout the facility as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as may become necessary or as directed by the Clinical Coordinator and Administrator.

Qualifications:

• Possess a current Nebraska 40-hour medication aide certificate.
• Able to read, write, and speak the English language and understand and follow written and oral direction.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the disabled and elderly.
• Must possess good public relations skills, professional demeanor, and leadership ability.
• Must demonstrate a willingness to work with the realization that incompetence and errors have serious consequences.
• Exhibit understanding, patience, and tact in dealing with tenants, families, co-workers, and visitors.
• Alertness and skill in recognizing and identifying symptoms with the initiative and judgment in selecting proper treatment for unusual or unfavorable conditions is a must.
• Resourcefulness and composure in emergency situations are essential.
• Medication aides must be able to sit, stand, bend, lift, push, pull, and walk throughout working hours and must be able to lift 40/50 pounds occasionally.
• Med aides must function in accordance with accepted pharmaceutical and nursing practices and as set forth in this job description.
• A medication aide must be willing to cooperate with the Clinical Coordinator and Administrator and be accountable for her/his own actions.
• She/he must be aware of her/his limitations and not attempt to exceed them.
• It is emphasized that other related duties and activities may be required.