Primary Function
Primarily to assist the nurses in the administration of routine medications to residents residing in the nursing facility. The medication administration shall be under the direction of the floor nurse and in accordance with the established nursing standards, policies, procedures and practices of this facility and the governing regulations of nursing facilities established by the federal and state governments. The medication aide will also be required to perform the duties in the facility's C.N.A. Job Description on a daily basis.
UNAUTHORIZED DUTIES OF MEDICATION AIDE:
A licensed nurse may not delegate the professional judgment or decision-making responsibility to the Medication Aide which includes:
Job Description
Other tasks may include those which:
Education /Experience
Job Knowledge
Must have thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the EBCI Health Delivery, standard CNA practices, applicable OSHA mandates, and related regulatory controls. Requires the ability to perform various CNA skills using assigned clinical equipment. Must have basic clerical skills, including the ability to maintain records, files, and logs. Must be able to collate data and prepare reports as required. Must maintain specified certifications and a North Carolina driver's license. Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal. Must have an understanding of the EBCI culture, life styles, and risk factors.
Contact with Others
Has frequent contact with coworkers, other health professionals, residents and their families; where tact, courtesy, and diplomacy are required to maintain positive relationships. Requires good communication skills, both written and oral. Requires sensitivity to others while dealing with residents and their families who may be under stress while dealing with issues of disease and poor health. Purpose of contacts is to exchange information, gain assistance, and dispense data.
Confidential Data
Must adhere to all tribal confidentiality policies and procedures. An above average degree of discretion is required while handling resident and related medical information.
Mental /Visual /Physical
Job duties can be mentally /emotionally stressful at times. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required for most nursing assistant duties that can be for short or extended periods of time. Physical activities require the ability to walk, sit, reach, extensive bending and heavy lifting while assisting residents to walk or turn, and when transferring residents. Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear.
Environment
Works in office and hospital environment and is exposed to biohazard, disease, etc.; which requires strict adherence to OSHA guidelines and protocol for maintaining sterile conditions and aseptic technique.
Responsibility for Accuracy
Requires a high degree of accuracy is reporting health abnormalities to the residents' primary RN, and in the documentation of services provided. Undetected errors could have minimal or life threatening results. Government regulations, compliance with grants, and third party payers require the submitting of accurate patient information to allow for appropriate reimbursement for residents. The submission of false or inaccurate information would place the facility at risk for fraudulent claims, resulting in loss of facility certification, and the nursing assistant's certification would be in jeopardy. Review of work following established procedures, protocol and quality audits would prevent most errors.
Resourcefulness & Initiative
Must demonstrate good observation skills with sufficient knowledge to recognize health abnormalities and report them to the patient's primary RN. Requires good organizational skills in order to follow a schedule and calendar of visits for resident care, assemble needed supplies, prioritize resident needs, and plan visits to make good use of time.
Customer Service
Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients and customers by exhibiting the qualities of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority’s (CIHA) Mission, Vision and Values. Exemplifies CIHA’s Guiding Principles in their daily interactions with all patients and customers to ensure excellent customer service.