The Certified Medication Aide plays a vital role in supporting the health, safety, comfort, and well-being of our residents. This position carries significant responsibility for accurately and safely administering medications and treatments within the scope of state regulations, established training, and company policies and procedures.
The Certified Medication Aide is expected to approach medication administration with care, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to resident safety. This includes accurately preparing, administering, and documenting medications; monitoring residents for reactions, side effects, and changes in condition; and promptly communicating concerns or medication-related issues to the licensed nurse.
In addition to medication responsibilities, the Certified Medication Aide provides compassionate assistance with residents’ daily care needs and supports a clean, safe, and organized care environment. Success in this role requires reliability, sound judgment, careful observation, effective communication, and a genuine commitment to treating every resident with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Administer prescribed medications and treatments as defined by state regulations in accordance with company policy and procedure.
Observe and report to the facility's charge nurse reactions and side effects to medication shown by a resident
Take and record vital signs prior to the administration of medication which could affect or change the vital signs
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Reports to charge nurse and documents reasons prescribed drugs are not administered.
Administer regularly prescribed medication which the permit holder has been trained to administer only after personally preparing (setting up) the medication to be administered
The medication aide will document the administered medication in the resident's medication administration record
Administer oxygen per nasal canal 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 action and notification.
Apply specifically ordered ophthalmic, OTIC, nasal, and vaginal medication
Be able to accurately follow all principles of good medication administration
Assist in customary daily requirements and tasks in care and treatment such as bathing, feeding, dressing, observing intake of food, care of hair, nails, moving residents from area to area, responding to calls, etc., which includes lifting, transferring
Helps charge nurses with the cleanliness of the nursing station, medication room, and supply room.
May be asked to work the floor as a Certified Nurse Aide when additonal help needed
Educational/Training Requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is required
Complete a state-approved 140-hour Certified Medication Aide training program
At least 1 year of experience working in a skilled nursing location as a CNA or CMA
Licensing Requirements
Must hold a valid Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) license
Most hold a valid Certified Medication Aide license
Physical Job Requirements
- Lifting 1–50 lbs - Frequent
- Lifting 50+ lbs - Occasionally
- Carrying 1–25 lbs - Frequent
- Carrying 25–50+ lbs - Occasionally
- Pushing / Pulling 1–50 lbs - Frequent
- Pushing / Pulling 50+ lbs - Occasionally
- Sliding / Transferring 1–50 lbs - Frequent
- Sliding /Transferring 50+ lbs - Occasionally
- Standing / Walking - Frequently
- Sitting / Balancing / Crouching / Crawling - Rarely
- Speaking / Hearing / Seeing - Frequently
- Stooping / Kneeling - Occasionally
- Reaching - Occasionally
- Turning / Twisting / Leaning - Occasionally
Driving - Rarely
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