Registered Medication Associate (RMA)

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 that residents receive comprehensive care by assisting them in the administration of medications in accordance with state licensing and regulatory standards. In addition, the RMA serves as a culture ambassador who models the company’s core values and leads by example.

Position Details:

• Part-time, 3 pm to 11 pm; every other weekend is required.

Qualifications:

• Successfully completed coursework and examinations to obtain certification as a Resident Care Associate.
• Obtains continuing education credits as required by the state to maintain certification as an RMA and provides timely evidence of continued certification.
• Possesses knowledge of safe medication administration techniques and demonstrates this knowledge through a competency skills evaluation.
• CPR and First Aid certified or willing to obtain certification as per company policy.
• Understands and practices resident confidentiality.
• Ability to work weekends and flexible hours as needed for resident care and services.
• Shows sincere compassion and demonstrates genuine concern for the physical and emotional needs of seniors and their families.
• 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 to ensure optimum health and safety.
• 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 shift change.
• Documents daily shift communication with residents and medication updates in the shift log.
• Demonstrates safe handling of controlled substances, including appropriate shift counting and reporting of discrepancies to the Resident Care Director.
• Routinely inspects, cleans, audits, and monitors equipment and supplies to ensure resident safety; reports any 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 and re-orders resident medications from pharmacy as needed.
• Documents pertinent information in the resident record and 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 accurately and factually; seeks clarification or refers questions to the Resident Care Director when indicated.
• Prioritises and provides verbal encouragement and support to residents.
• Assists 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.
• Maintains regular communication with the Resident Care Director.
• Performs 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 work a flexible 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.