Medication Technician

Medication Technician

PURPOSE:
The primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct care to residents by providing residents with medication administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or related experience and/or training.

• Minimum of 1-year experience in working with the elderly preferred.

• CPR and First Aide required.

• Must have successfully completed all PA state specified Med Tech training programs.

• Able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.

• Able to write simple correspondence.

• Able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees.

• Able to work with others to build an effective team approach to care duties.

• Able to work various schedules and flexible work hours and shifts as needed.

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information, including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

• Ensure that you treat all residents fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

• Ensure that all nursing is provided in privacy.

• Knock before entering the resident's room.

• Report all grievances and complaints made by the resident to the Nurse Supervisor/Licensed Practical Nurse.

• Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident's property immediately to the Nurse Supervisor.

• Honor the resident's refusal of treatment requests. Report such requests to your supervisor.

• Communicate respectfully and appropriately, respect culture differences among residents and staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Administration and documentation of resident medication according to accepted practices.

• Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.

• Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort them to their rooms, as necessary.

• Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility.

• Consult with the resident's physician in providing in resident's care treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary.

• Notify the resident's attending physician when the resident is involved in an accident, incident, or change in condition.

• Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, to include self-help and care.

• Inspect the nursing services treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe manner.

• Obtain sputum, urine, and other specimens for lab tests as ordered.

• Take and record temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressures, and accuchecks.

• Monitor seriously ill residents, as necessary.

• Check food brought into the facility by resident's family/visitors to ensure that it is within the resident's dietary allowances.

• Ensure that personnel providing direct care to residents are providing such care in accordance with the resident's care plan and wishes.

• Ensure that residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.

• Has a workable understanding of medication usage side effects and adverse reactions.

• Ability to count medications and narcotics.

• Document and report adverse, unexpected, or contraindicated reactions, changes of condition in a resident.

• Communicate with physicians and pharmacies.

• Order and receive medications.

• Keep all medications in their appropriate storage areas and keep medication room, med cart, and doors locked and secure.

• Keep medical records current and up to date.

• Provide regular, ongoing communication with the pharmacy, families, residents, and personal care and management staff.

• Assist in updating the resident service and chart documentation as needed.

• Assist resident in making doctor's appointments and travel arrangements to and from appointments.

• Assist in the training of personal care staff and participate in orientation of new staff.

• When available, activities of daily living assistance to the residents as directed from each resident's service plan (RASP).

• Provides verbal encouragement and support to the residents.

• Able to foster and maintain sound, positive relationships with the resident, family members, and staff members.

• Able to enforce all resident rights and offer dignified assistance and maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information.

• Develops a positive, caring relationship with each resident, recognizing and celebrating their unique life history and accomplishments.

• Prioritize tasks to ensure optimum services to residents as requests and needs change.

• Communicate with the wellness director when a resident's needs have changed.

• Communicate to other departments resident's needs as they become evident during a shift.

• Assist in engaging the resident in meaningful activities, including leading a program as able.

• Remain compliant with monthly in-services and all required trainings.

Safety and Sanitation

• Monitor your assigned personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by your assigned nursing personnel.

• Ensure that the adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

• Ensure that your unit's resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

• Ensure that your assigned personnel follow established handwashing and hand hygiene technique in the administering of nursing care procedures.

• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (i.e. back brace, mechanical lifts, proper lifting technique, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.

• Have knowledge of what is in the MSDS binders, report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and the team concept.

• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.

• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.

• Must not pose a threat to the health or safety of their individuals in the workplace.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must be able to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with others.

• Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the blood and/or body fluids.

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

• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

• Must perform all additional tasks assigned to you by supervisor.