Registered Medication Associate (RMA)

Commonwealth Senior Living; Abingdon (VA); On-site; USD 22,041 - 30,307; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Senior Living seeks a Registered Medication Associate (RMA) to provide high-quality medication administration and resident care in a compassionate, compliant environment. The RMA supports safe delivery, follows regulatory standards, and models the company’s values.

This role requires certification as a Resident Care Associate, weekend availability, strong compassion, and basic computer skills. Pay range is $16-$22 per hour, with opportunities for growth within a resident-focused

Qualifications

• Certification as Resident Care Associate is required.
• Continuing education credits must be maintained per state requirements.
• Knowledge of safe medication administration techniques with competency evaluation.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Understand and practice resident confidentiality.
• Ability to work weekends and flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Assist in monitoring and safe delivery of the Medication Management Program.
• Adhere to policies and regulatory standards when administering medications.
• Administer and record medications as prescribed by the physician.
• Present medications and observe ingestion or administration.
• Document and report adverse reactions or side effects.
• Record effectiveness and document changes in resident records.
• Restock and store medications safely and accurately.
• Maintain daily shift logs with updates.
• Count and report discrepancies with controlled substances.
• Inspect and maintain equipment and supplies for resident safety.
• Record vital signs during medication administration.
• Communicate with residents and staff clearly and accurately.

Skills

Compassion

Communication skills

Flexibility

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Weekend availability

Education

Certification as Resident Care Associate

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

Pay range: $16-$22 per hour

Overview

The 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. The RMA ensures residents receive comprehensive care and services by assisting them in the administration of medications, in accordance with state licensing and regulatory standards. The RMA is also a Culture Ambassador who models the company’s core values and leads by example.

Core Values

• 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.
• The RMA 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.
• The RMA must have the ability to work weekends and flexible hours as needed for resident care and services.
• The RMA 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.
• Re‑orders resident medications from pharmacy, as needed, and requested.
• Documents pertinent information in the resident record, completes incident reports as indicated.
• 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

The RMA 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.