SUMMARY: The CMA assists 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 (DON). The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, policies, procedures, practices of this facility, and the requirements of this […]

SUMMARY: The CMA assists 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 (DON). The administration of medications shall be in accordance with established nursing standards, policies, procedures, practices of this facility, and the requirements of this state.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: NOTE: Laguna Rainbow Corporation may unilaterally change the requirements of this job description at any time.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Administrative Functions:

• Follow the policies and procedures of the facility governing the administering of medications to residents.
• Note and report errors in the administration of medications to Charge Nurse and DON.
• Follow procedures for medication errors to include when, where, and why they occur, and how they can be prevented.
• Administer all medications and treatments only within certification.
• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charts, reports, etc., and submit these as required.
• Maintain a friendly, productive, working relationship with other, all team members, including attending physicians, the Medical Director, and pharmacists. Report any complaints or grievances and resolutions made by residents to the DON and SSD.
• Participate and cooperate with any facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or DON.
• Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator and DON.
• Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator and DON.

Training / Meetings:

• Participate in any in-service / education to uphold CMA certification.

Drug Administration Function:

• Accurately and safely prepare, administer, and document the oral and/or topical medications that are used commonly in this facility and that may be ordered for 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, facility pharmacist, Charge Nurse, or DON.
• Follow the labeling policies and practices of the facility.
• Make certain that all medications administered labeled properly.
• Assist with medication charting as directed by the Charge Nurse or DON.
• Administer medications and treatments according to standard nursing practice, using rights of administration to ensure resident safety.
• Follow facility procedures in regard to charting of medications.
• Follow facility policies and procedures regarding the destroying of medications; assist in carrying out these rules under the direction of the facility pharmacist or DON, including the documentation requirements.
• Assist in documenting and removing medications that are discontinued by the attending physician.
• Follow facility procedures governing drug receipt errors, including notifying the delivery source and the DON.
• Ensure that medication is reordered per policy.
• Ensure that documentation of the drug receipt error includes a written error report, signed by an observer/witness and you.
• Follow facility procedures in holding medications for residents who are transferred from the facility or when the attending physician discontinues medications.
• Accurately measure, record, and report the vital signs of residents and notify Charge Nurse of any abnormal findings.
• 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 and notify Charge Nurse.
• Promptly notify the Charge Nurse, or DON of any errors or reactions to medications by residents.
• Follow the medication card practices of the facility.
• Ensure that no medication is administered without a written, signed, dated order from an attending licensed physician.
• Follow the facility procedure for recording the order in the resident’s clinical record, including the type, route, dosage, frequency and strength of each medication.
• Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication treatment.
• Follow the facility’s procedures for allowing residents to self-administer his or her medications.
• Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring and documenting all aspects of Administration done by residents.
• Promptly notify the Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse of any failure of a resident to properly take any “self-administered”‘ medications or refusal to take medications. Document as appropriate.
• Follow established guidelines concerning the storage of drugs.
• Be familiar with the meaning and usage of common medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms relative to the administration of medications as used by the facility, pharmacists, and physicians.
• Others related duties as may become necessary or as directed by your supervisor.

Staff Development:

• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs per policy as well as maintain your certification on a current status.
•  Attend in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).
• Attend and participate in orientation programs and in-services as necessary.

Safety and Sanitation:

• Use personal protective equipment when performing procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids as necessary.
• Report all hazardous conditions and equipment to the charge nurse immediately.
• Follow established safety precautions in the performance of all duties.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
• Practice infection control, to include proper hand washing, and appropriate handling of infectious materials per facility policy.

Resident Rights:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all residents cared information including protected health information.  Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information to Administrator and DON.
• Report any complaints, grievances and possible resolutions made by residents to the DON and SSD.
• Knock before entering the resident’s room.
• Report incidents or suspected incidents of resident abuse to the Administrator and DON immediately.
• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatments or medications request and notify Charge Nurse.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (includes education, skills, and experience):  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must possess, as a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Must be an active Certified Medication Aide having successfully completed a state approved training program and any necessary examination(s) in accordance with New Mexico state laws.
•  CNA Certification preferred.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must have patient, cheerful disposition, enthusiasm, and the willingness to manage difficult residents.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
• Ability to use office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax/scan machines.
• Ability to multi-task, work successfully under pressure, effectively prioritize, and manage time and workload.
• The ability to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Professional, supportive, courteous, and respectful

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT: 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.

• Will have repetitive hand and arm motions and prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; talk, listen, reach with hands and arms; climb and/or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• This position requires frequent manual dexterity in combination with eye/hand coordination such as keyboarding and handling of equipment.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility.
• 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.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS:

Laguna Rainbow Corporation has a strict policy for background investigation processes.  Every position is reviewed and screened.  This includes Onsite pre-employment drug screening, criminal background check (includes fingerprint) and certification verification.

Type of Background Check	Required
Pre-Employment Drug Screening	X
Background Investigation through Department of Health “DOH” – Fingerprint Verification (Criminal Check, Abuse and Neglect Check, Sex Offender Check, Civil Court Check and Tribal Criminal Check)	X
Certification Verification and Reference Verification	X

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will require to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the supervisor.

I have read and understand the above job description.  I verify that I meet the required qualifications and am able to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job description.  I understand that regular attendance is required in this job.

I hereby accept the position and agree to perform the tasks outlined in a safe manner and in accordance with the facility’s established policies and procedures.

I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants (including tobacco smoke), and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide to me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. 

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