Lead Registered Medication Associate (RMA)

Commonwealth Senior Living at South Boston; Bon Air (VA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Senior Living at South Boston is seeking a Lead Registered Medication Associate to provide high-quality care to residents. The role involves assisting with medication administration, ensuring compliance with state standards, and serving as a Culture Ambassador who models the company values.

The ideal candidate has certification as a Resident Care Associate, CPR/First Aid or willingness to obtain, and the ability to work weekends and flexible hours.

Qualifications

• Certification as Resident Care Associate is required.
• Must obtain continuing education credits to maintain RMA certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist in monitoring and safe delivery of the Medication Management Program.
• Administer and accurately record administration of medications as prescribed.
• Observe ingestion and document medication administration outcomes.
• Document refusals and reasons for non-administration.
• Maintain medication carts, perform audits, and ensure safekeeping of medications.
• Communicate with pharmacies regarding orders and deliveries.
• Contribute to on-boarding and training of new medication associates.
• Demonstrates infection control practices and universal precautions.

Skills

Compassion

Attention to detail

Communication

Flexibility

Basic computer skills

Education

Resident Care Associate certification

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

Pay Range: $24-$27 per hour

The Lead Registered Medication Associate (RMA) role provides high quality care and services to meet the overall needs of residents in a caring, consistent, individualized, and efficient manner. He or she ensures that residents receive comprehensive care and services by assisting them in the administration of medications, in accordance with state licensing and regulatory standards. The Registered Medication Associate is a Culture Ambassador who will model the core values of the company, leading by example, and ensure all team members exemplify the core values of the company.

• We Care About People
• We Do the Right Thing
• We are Passionate, Have Fun, and Celebrate Success
• We Speak Up! It is Our Responsibility
• We Take Ownership and Add Value
• We are Respectful

Qualifications

• This employee must have successfully completed course work and examinations to obtain certification as a Resident Care Associate.
• The RMA must obtain continuing education credits as required by the state to maintain certification as an RMA and must provide evidence of continued certification to the community in a timely and accurate manner.
• TheRMA must possess knowledge of safe medication administration techniques and demonstrate this knowledge through a competency skills evaluation.
• CPR and First Aid certified or willing to obtain as per company policy.
• The RMA must understand and practice resident confidentiality.
• TheRMA must have the ability to work weekends and flexible hours as needed for resident care and services.
• TheRMA must have the ability to show sincere compassion and demonstrate genuine concern for the physical and emotional needs of seniors and their families.
• Must be proficient in basic office equipment, including a personal computer, for the purpose of accomplishing and maintaining a high level of job performance.
• Live out Commonwealth Senior Living’s Noble selling purpose – “We improve the lives of seniors, their families, and each other.”

Areas of Primary Responsibility

• Assists in monitoring and safe delivery of the Medication Management Program.
• Adheres to all established policies and procedures of Commonwealth Senior Living and state regulatory standards when administering medications.
• Administers and accurately records the administration of medications for residents as prescribed by the physician.
• Presents medication to residents and observes ingestion or completion of other application or administration techniques.
• Observes, records, and reports complications, symptoms of adverse actions or side effects of medications and obtains input from the Resident Care Director, as indicated, to ensure the optimum health and safety of the resident.
• Determines and records effectiveness of medications in a timely and accurate manner.
• Documents refusals of medications and reasons why prescribed drugs are not administered as per physician order.
• Stores medications in a safe and accurate manner.
• Monitors medications to ensure adequate accountability measures are taken when medications are ordered, received into the community, administered, and reported off at change of shift.
• Documents on the Daily Shift to Shift Communication Log each shift with resident and medication updates, changes, concerns, and follow up.
• Demonstrates safe handling of controlled substances including appropriate shift counting and reporting of discrepancies or concerns to the Resident Care Director.
• Routinely inspects, cleans, audits, and monitors equipment and supplies to ensure resident safety. Reports any equipment or supply issues to the Resident Care Director for correction or repair.
• Obtains, records, and reports vital signs as indicated during the administration of medications.
• Records and restocks medication inventories, as needed, and requested.
• Communicate with pharmacies regarding resident medication orders and to coordinate medication delivery.
• Re-orders resident medications from pharmacy, as needed, and requested.
• Documents pertinent information in the resident record, completes incident reports as indicated.
• Keeps the medication cart clean, neat, and organized as well as completes medication cart audits, as needed, and as assigned.
• Completesglucometer compliance checks as per manufacturer’s instructions, as needed, and as assigned.
• Completes medication cart education and training on handling, ordering, refills, storage, as needed, and as assigned.
• Participates in the onboarding process of new medication associates.
• Complete First Aid Kit checks, as needed, and as assigned.
• Demonstrates awareness of proper infection control practices by using Universal Precautions and following policies and procedures of the company, including OSHA’s Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard.
• Communicates with residents, staff and others in an accurate and factual manner and seeks clarification from or refers questions to Resident Care Director, when indicated.
• Prioritizes and provides verbal encouragement and support to residents.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and clean environment.
• Maintains a positive and professional demeanor toward residents, families, and associates.
• Participates in and attends all required in-service training and education programs as scheduled.
• Acts as a shift supervisor when appropriate or as directed.
• Maintain regular communication with the Resident Care Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as listed in the Resident Care Associate job description.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

TheRMA must be able to lift, stoop, carry, turn, and assist high-risk residents, push medication carts and be willing and able to work a flexible work schedule. The RMA must be able to sit, stand, bend, and move continuously during work hours. Must be able to lift and/or carry 50 to 75 pounds. This position is considered a medium risk for exposure to COVID, as it provides direct care to potential COVID-positive residents.