ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents. Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, etc., and submit these as may be 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, Nurse Supervisor, and/or Charge Nurse.
• Participate and cooperate with any facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
• Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document the oral and/or topical medications that are ordered for the resident use by the attending physician or the Medical Director. Verify that any medications brought into the facility by a newly admitted resident are examined and identified by the attending physician or the facility pharmacy.
• Follow the labeling policies and practices of the facility. Ensure that all medications administered are properly labeled. Assist with medication charting as directed by the Charge Nurse.
• Assist in documenting and removing medications that are discontinued by the attending physician. Follow facility procedures in holding medications for residents who are transferred from the facility or when a medication is discontinued by the attending physician.
• Follow facility procedure governing drug receipt errors, including notifying the delivery source and the Director of Nursing. Ensure that medication is returned and reordered. Ensure that documentation of the drug receipt error includes a written error report, signed by an observer/witness and you.
• Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication treatment. Accurately measure, record, and report the vital signs of residents. Observe and verify that medication is ingested or applied as directed. Document any instance where prescribed medication is not administered, including reason(s) for refusal. Promptly notify the Charge Nurse or DON of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.
• Ensure that no medication is administered without a written, signed, dated order from an attending licensed physician.
• Follow the facility’s procedures allowing residents to self-administer their medications. Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring and documenting all aspects of such self-administering. Promptly notify the Charge Nurse of any failure of a resident to properly take any “self-administered” medications.

Education: Must be a CMA in good standing with the state of Missouri and must maintain a current certification in the state throughout employment.

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies: customer service; oral communication; written communication; quality management; professionalism; quality; safety and security; attendance and punctuality; and dependability.

Provides assistance in the administering of medications to residents as ordered by the attending physician, under the direction of the attending physician, charge nurse, and the Director of Nursing. The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, the policies, procedures, and practices of the facility, and the requirements of the state of Missouri.