Medication Specialist

Mental Health Association - Western MA; West Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 28,929; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (403B, IRA)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Long Term Disability

Job summary

The Mental Health Association - Western MA is seeking a Medication Specialist to enhance medication safety and oversight in our residential programs. This role involves supporting medication practices, training staff, and liaising with healthcare professionals to promote recovery-oriented care.

The position offers a pay range of $19-$21 per hour, with shifts on weekends. Applicants should possess a high school diploma, pass medication training, and ideally have experience with mental health or substance use challenges.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in a program environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for medication audits and training.
• Maintain cleanliness and order of the medication room.
• Conduct regular medication disposals and Naloxone training.

Skills

Medication Training

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

Job description

Position Summary

The Medication Specialist position is designed to provide an additional layer of oversight to ensure safe and effective medication practices within the GRIT co-occurring enhanced residential programs. The Medication Specialist will provide support, assistance, and training with various medication related tasks. Additionally, they will function as a liaison between the nurses, prescriber, program staff, and residents. The Medication Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the integrated treatment of individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders in a residential setting. This position ensures the safe, effective, and compassionate administration of medications, while promoting recovery-oriented care and collaboration across disciplines within the program.

Pay Range: $19-$21 an hour

Open Shift: Friday & Saturday 11pm-8am, Sunday & Monday 10pm-7am (36hrs)

Key Responsibilities

• Complete and document weekly medication audits for all program participants currently enrolled. Identify and communicate any med room errors in need of follow up, correction and reporting.
• Maintain the medication tracking binder, ensuring paperwork for discharged residents has been removed and scanned into the electronic health record.
• Monitor outgoing and incoming paperwork for external appointments.
• Monitor the med room board to ensure refills needed are obtained, pick-ups occur, and new orders are verified.
• Provide oversight and training for staff needing extra support with medication-related tasks and procedures.
• Maintain the cleanliness and order of the medication room on a regular basis. Ensure that all med room supplies remain stocked and are ordered and obtained as needed.
• Maintain familiarity with various procedures including gathering information for the prescriber before weekly appointments, accessing information from the electronic health record and other management systems, printing and changing over monthly MOS forms and completing medication transfer forms for discharges. Provide training and support for other staff when these tasks require coverage.
• Maintain Naloxone (Narcan) supply and tracking systems for program use and individual distribution. Provide opioid overdose and Naloxone administration training for staff and residents quarterly.
• Conduct regular medication disposals according to the timeline established with the Nurse Manager.

Qualifications

• Must complete and pass the BSAS Medication Training. Attend and complete all required BSAS Medication Specialist training courses. Maintain a good record of demonstration of these skills.
• Ability to work first shift M-F hours, with some flexibility based on the needs of the program.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, prioritize tasks, take initiative, follow through, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Good oral, written, computer, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to the changing needs of the program participants.
• Strong interpersonal skills, patience, caring, and compassion.
• Must be at least eighteen years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• At least six months of applicable experience in the program environment is preferred. Experience with individuals with substance use and/or mental health challenges preferred.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (403B, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Long Term Disability
• $19-$21 an hour

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Mental Health Association is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.