CMA

Certified Medication Aide

The Certified Medication Aide (CMA) will perform within the guidelines outlined according to the Texas Certified Medication Aide state law and board. He / She is responsible for the administration of medication to the residents in a designated area of the facility. He / She is knowledgeable of the information as outlined on the interdisciplinary Care Plan and follows the plan. He / She communicates with the Licensed Staff and other department heads of the resident's needs. He / She reports all relevant observations to the Licensed Staff assigned to the unit in a timely manner. He / she attends in-services and staff meetings as required. The Certified Medication Aide is responsible to the Licensed Staff assigned to the specific unit.

Must be able to read, write, and follow oral instructions. High school education or equivalent is preferred. Must be certified with the State as Certified Medication Aide.

1. Has the ability to organize, plan and supervise care of a group of residents assuring quality is provided at all time for this group as well as others in the facility.

2. Maintains effective interpersonal relationships.

3. Is of good emotional, mental and physical health having sound judgment and high standards.

4. Is willing and capable of providing emergency care as needed for any resident in the facility.

5. Is courteous in working with residents, families, and employees.

6. Maintains a neat, well groomed appearance at all times. Keeps personal appearance appropriate for resident care.

7. Has a desire to work with the geriatric resident and their current and prospective needs.

8. Must be in the facility ready to begin assigned duties on time and as scheduled.

9. Must be willing to work preferred shifts as scheduled and assist on other shifts as needed to assure adequate staffing to meet the needs of each resident.

10. Must have the ability to provide the care as outlined on the interdisciplinary Care Plan and other assignments for each resident in assigned group.

11. Must demonstrate ability to function as a cooperative team member with each member of the Nursing Department and other departments.

12. Must have ability to provide related bedside resident care services as per facility policy and procedures.

13. Must display ability to adapt to on-the-job training and adhere to standards of the facility providing personal care services, assisting residents, caring for equipment and supplies and developing good understanding of basis of aseptic and sterile techniques.

14. Must be able and willing to function appropriately in a disaster or evacuation of the facility.

15. Must demonstrate ability to follow direction of supervising staff.

16. Must have a pre-employment and an annual Tuberculosis screening examination.

It is to be understood that the Certified Medication Aide works by general, consistent, prearranged "primary" group assignments as the basis of the activity for the shift, but must be able to accept changes and adapt to added assignment as the need arises. Also, each Certified Medication Aide must work with each other to assure safe practices for each resident and staff are followed.

1. Responsible for maintaining the medication cart and supplies.

2. Checking and reordering of floor stock in the medication rooms, carts and supply rooms.

3. Document in a Medication Administration Record (MAR) routine and PRN medication administered to residents.

4. Preparing for Medication Pass :

• Disposable containers are used (souffl cups, water cups, liquid measuring cups, oral syringes, spoons, tongue blades and / or straws)
• Label drawers / card to identify resident medications
• Cart is cleaned on a routine "as needed basis"
• Waterless hand gels are easily accessible
• Pill Crusher is available
• Sharps container and trash can are accessible
• Medication drawers should be arranged in the same sequenced as on the MAR

5. Authorized certified staff must understand :

The Right Resident

6. Medications are prepared, administered and recorded by the same authorized staff.

7. Medications are administered one (1) hour before or one (1) hour after the designated medication's pass time.

8. Initial and signature verification of staff administering medication are documented according to regulations.

9. Medications supplied for a resident are not administered to another resident.

10. Medication carts are to remain locked when not in use.

11. Keys to the medication cart and medication room are to be kept with authorized staff member at all times.

12. The Certified Medication Aide must seek assistance for the nursing when any aspect of medication administration is in question.

13. Performs other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.