Become A Certified Medical Aide

* Under the supervision of the Resident Service Director or a licensed nurse, the CMA administers medications as prescribed by the resident’s physician and completes all required documentation applicable to the facility policies, State and Federal regulations.
* Performs hands-on nursing care to residents with emphasis on daily care needs, personal hygiene and cleanliness, grooming and skin care.
* Duties include the following:
* Assists residents with medications including medication administration and treatments under the direction of the RSD.
* Observes records and reports to the Resident Service Director symptoms and conditions of residents that could be related to medication interactions, adverse drug reactions or medication side effects.
* Provides and promotes resident’s rights during the administration of medications.
* PRN medications only given with proper authority from the Registered Nurse.
* Stores medications in a safe and accurate manner in accordance with established policies and procedures and applicable State/Federal regulations.
* Monitors medications to ensure adequate accountability measures are taken when medications are received in the facility, administered and at change of shift as required by facility policy and procedures and State/Federal regulations.
* Promptly gets medications refilled and follows up with pharmacy on early refills.
* Routinely inspects, cleans and monitors equipment and supplies to ensure resident safety.
* Reports any equipment or supply issues immediately to the LPN, RSD or administrator for correction or repair.
* Checks all vital signs as needed, including blood pressure, records and reports to LPN/RSD as needed.
* Records and reports resident weights and temperatures as needed.
* Delivers complete AM/PM care to assigned residents, including bath.
* Reports any accidents, injuries, bruises, abrasions, rashes, redden areas, poor appetite/fluid intake, and changes in resident’s status to LPN/RSD or administrator.
* Responds to emergency calls and call bells to assist nurse and/or resident.
* Delivers appropriate supplies and equipment to residents as needed.
* Transports and transfers residents as needed or directed.
* Performs light housekeeping to include cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, trash removal, of resident rooms, bathrooms and dining rooms.
* Assist and encourage residents to participate in activities and conduct activities as needed or directed.
* Assists residents with dining services such as meal preparation, dining room set-up, serving, clearing and providing the residents with assistance during meals.
* Follows universal precautions, established fire procedures, and Residents Rights.
* Adheres to all LSMNJ/Grace Assisted Living policies and procedures.
* Attends all mandatory in-services on an annual basis or as directed.
* Completes mandatory continuing education hours to ensure uninterrupted licensures and certifications needed for job qualifications.
* Completes annual compliance and HIPAA training and exhibits behavior as set forth by the LSMNJ Code of Ethics and Business Integrity in the performance of duties.
* Adheres to the Organization’s Policies and Procedures regarding the Compliance Program of the organization and is timely in reporting any possible concerns.
* Follows all local, state and federal regulations as they pertain to the position.
* Adheres to the Organization’s Policies and Procedures covering Privacy and Security in Compliance with HIPAA regulations.
* Other duties as assigned by supervisor, necessary for the efficient operation of the department/facility

* The Certified Medication Aide must exhibit the following competencies:
* Leadership: Inspire the trust of others; balance team and individual responsibilities; give and welcome feedback; exhibit objectivity and openness to others’ views, contribute to holding each other accountable and building a positive team spirit; put the success of team above own interests.
* Integrity and Ethics: Treat people with respect and individuality regardless of their status or the situation; do what you say; be fair and equitable in all interactions; be a good steward of company resources; actively contribute toward employees’ success and the Community’s goals; uphold organizational values.
* Dependability: Maintain work behavior that invites trust and reliance; role model positive attendance and punctuality standards; ensure work responsibilities are completed correctly and are covered when absent; arrive at meetings and appointments prepared and on time.
* Professionalism: Uphold high works standards that reflect the company’s purpose and goals; accept responsibility for own actions; react to challenges positively and calmly; provide leadership in maintaining highest technical and customer service standards for the benefit of the residents served.
* Innovation: Meet challenges with creativity and resourcefulness; remain open to change, others ideas, and trying new things; generate suggestions for improving work processes, services and products.
* Oral Communication: Speak persuasively, with intention and thought, in both positive and negative situations; fully listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings without dominating others.
* Written Communication: Write clearly and informatively; present numerical data effectively; read and interpret written information; ensure adequate, effective communication with all team members to maintain company values, goals, and culture.
* Quality: Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality; monitor and self-correct own work processes and outcomes; apply feedback from others to improve performance.
* SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Leadership
* Demonstrates support of the corporate mission (by actions and attitude), policies and procedures and assures consistent compliance.
* Establishes departmental goals consistent with corporate goals and objectives.
* Organizes and facilitates regular staff meetings with the goal of positive, motivating team building, as well as staff problem solving and support.
* Facilitates appropriate upward and downward communication.
* Communicates identified needs and potential solutions to appropriate manager.
* Communicates positively with residents, families, and community professionals.
* Acts as shift supervisor as assigned.
* Medication Assistance
* Accurately prepare, assist/administer and document medications as prescribed.
* Immediately report any errors to supervisor.
* Accurately take and record vital signs
* Accurately count and sign medication administration record for controlled drugs
* Resident Care
* Performing personal care needs outlined in service plan and attending to the resident’s and family requests promptly as needed
* Providing proper care and observation of resident’s skin to prevent breakdown and reporting when skin breakdown occurs immediately to the shift supervisor or the Health and Wellness Director.
* Reporting on resident’s condition and significant changes to the supervisor.
* Transferring resident as needed to meals and activities.
* Respectful of resident and family/caregiver environment and resident’s personal needs.
* Communication
* Maintains regular communication with the Health and Wellness Director
* Associate to review residents and help with managing needs (this may include unusual or potentially problematic resident/family issues) and reports changes in the resident’s condition promptly.
* Promotes resident independence, respects privacy, and maintains residents’ rights to decide about care and reports findings to supervisor.
* Works in cooperation with the family and outside providers to meet the physical/emotional needs of the resident.
* Additional Duties
* Completes documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory standards of timeliness, accuracy, and completeness via electronic record.
* Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted resident assignments.
* Participates in all mandatory staff in-services, meeting, and/or education.
* Demonstrates familiarity with the policies of the Community and rules/regulations of state and federal licensing agencies

* Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
* The following duties are normal for this position.
* This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.
* Other duties may be required and assigned.
* Interviews patient to determine medical problem/condition and documents in chart for physician.
* Obtains and records patient's vital signs and weight.
* Administers and documents medications given by following specifically written physicians orders, including oral, topical, and suppository medications, as well as eye and ear drops
* Compliance
* Participates in all in-service programs to expand and develop abilities.
* Maintains compliance to all personnel policies, established community policies and procedures, and Federal and State regulations and standards, including but not limited to HIPAA privacy and confidentiality laws.
* Understands and implements the Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness Plan and evacuation procedures of the community during drills and actual emergencies.
* Performs various treatments not requiring license nurse (hot/cold applications, vital signs, weights, etc.) Uses procedure manual to verify correct techniques and practices standard precautions.
* Observes, records, and reports observations such as unexpected and untoward effects from medications.
* Takes vital signs as needed prior to administration of certain medications.
* Provides direct resident care (See CNA Job Description).
* Functions as a CNA when not assigned to administer medications.
* Develops and maintains courteous and professional relationships with residents, visitors, and co-workers.
* Performs other tasks as assigned by supervisor.
* May need to respond as appropriate to personal calls from the Independent Living Center.
* Duties in this setting may include but are not limited to providing First Aid, call emergency personnel (dial 911), and/or call family members at request of Independent Living residents.
* Other duties as assigned by Supervisor

* Work under the supervision of a licensed vocational nurse or a registered professional nurse to perform the following duties:
* After authorization by the facility’s licensed nurse or the resident’s treating physician, administers PRN medications.
* Organizes assigned medication duties to pour, pass, and document all routine prescribed medications and to give PRN medication only upon the instruction of the licensed nurse.
* Must document all PRN’s according to State Standards in all areas of the chart.
* Observe and report to the facility’s charge licensed nurse reactions and side effects of medication commonly administered to nursing facility’s residents.
* Take and record vital signs prior to administration of medications which could affect or change the vital signs.
* Administer and document regularly prescribed medications which the medication aide is permitted to administer only after personally preparing (setting up) of those medications to be administered.
* Document the medications given in the resident’s clinical record.
* Administer oxygen per nasal channel or a non-sealing face mask only in an emergency.
* Immediately after the emergency, the medication aide shall verbally notify the licensed nurse on duty or on call and appropriately document the activity and notification.
* At discretion of charge nurse, count narcotics, give all routine prescribed narcotics, and document same on individual sheet and medication sheet

* Accurate and timely documentation of daily progress notes.
* Meet billing requirements relating to productivity and timeliness.
* Keep supervisor informed of critical and non-routine events.
* Communication is constructive, effective and timely.
* Respectfully interact and communicate with persons receiving services in a manner appropriate to each individual.
* Communicate positively and respectfully with co-workers, supervisors, employers, professionals, parents, guardians, visitors, etc. while maintaining confidentiality.
* Follow health and safety practices per agency policies including participation in emergency procedures, drills, proper infection control, accident/injury prevention, etc.
* Adhere to established agency policies and procedures
* Timely completion of paperwork.
* Maintains a clean working environment (vehicles, individual housing, office, etc.).
* Operates Agency vehicles and provides transportation in a safe manner, following all agency policies.
* Dependability and accountability:
* Take accountability for own work while demonstrating a willingness to accept responsibility and offers constructive recommendations.
* Adhere to all personnel policies including attendance policy and requests time off appropriately.
* Demonstrate dependability and flexibility when shift time or duties of the day may change slightly to accommodate the persons served ensuring their best interest is top priority at all times.
* Serve on organization and outside committees as appropriate.
* Work diligently to incorporate the spirit and intent of the mission, vision and values of the organization into daily work.
* Attend and participate in meetings, in-service and on-going education.
* Report to training as scheduled and on time