Lead Medication Technician

The Lead Medication Technician is responsible for overseeing medication management for all residents in our facility. This role supports the Care Team and serves as a caregiver as needed. The Lead Medication Technician performs all work duties under the direction and supervision of the Administrator, and is directly responsible for the work performance and duties of all caregivers working on the shift.

• Supervise other caregivers, ensuring they are productive throughout the shift and able to receive instructions and perform their work duties.
• Successfully allocate caregiving duties to ensure the workload is balanced.
• Ensure all residents have received their required medications on time, scheduled showers, personal hygiene, grooming, timely bowel movements, proper fluid intake, scheduled appointments, physical therapy, exercises, and activities.
• The Administrator will notify physicians and family of changes in care needs. The Lead on duty is to follow up to ensure resident needs are properly addressed. If the Administrator is not present, the Lead is to let the family know of changes.
• Answer all outside calls professionally and pass on any to the Administrator or take clear messages. Use the appropriate phone message form to document the call.
• After each shift, notify the Administrator of caregiver breaks not taken, work not completed, and the reason, or when there is concern in any of these areas.
• Ensure caregivers and you have all the tools necessary to perform all the job tasks required (i.e. training, equipment, supplies, updated electronic and manual data).
• Perform all duties of a caregiver when other caregivers are fully engaged and unable to timely perform caregiver duties or during break periods.
• Schedule caregiver breaks to ensure all breaks are taken and documented, and that residents are well supervised even during breaks.
• Be proactive with suggestions and ideas to encourage residents who may need extra help.
• Resident appointments - Follow write process and procedures.
• Work with the activities coordinator and ensure residents are encouraged and prepared for outings and events on the calendar.
• Encourage the caregivers on your shift to work safely using gait belts / hoyer lifts and two-person transfers for identified residents.
• Confirm that new care staff are added to the current Electronic Health Record (EHS) system.
• Ensure detailed care plans have been input into the EHS for each resident.
• Ensure all fall risk residents have the appropriate alarms/bed pads and chair pads in working order.
• Maintain excellent communication with the Administrator. Serve as Manager on Duty (if scheduled to work) or Manager on Call (if not scheduled to work) when Administrator is not available.
• With Administrator approval, make suggestions to current policies and procedures that will enhance resident safety, quality of life, staff efficiency, or regulatory compliance.
• Have an overall sense of responsibility for all clients allocated to your care during the entire shift. Be aware of client care needs and changes in care needs on a day to day basis. Notify the Administrator when significant changes in care needs require attention.

• Ensure all medications are poured correctly and assistance is given in the self-administration of medications to residents, on time, and reflected in the MAR. Be knowledgeable of medication side effects.
• Follow up with residents receiving PRN medications for pain, diarrhea, anxiety, constipations, etc. Document results in the MAR.
• Ensure all MARs are up to date reflecting current physician's orders.
• Ensure all physician's orders are on file for all medications in the MAR and centrally stored.
• Update the Medication Management System in accordance with set written procedures.
• Before end of shift, transcribe all new physician orders, and make appropriate changes to the MAR.
• Ensure all ready to expire medications identified during the weekly Medication Room Audit will be utilized first, or destroyed as per destruction procedures.
• Order all medications required such that medications are never completely depleted. Allow additional lead time for medications delivered by family members and keep them apprised of medication stock.
• Be responsible for required documentation: Sign for medications given, be timely and professional when adding comments to resident records.
• Ensure all medication cabinets are locked when not pouring medications.
• Ensure that the medication door is always locked when you are not in the medication room.
• Keep a close connection with Administrator in all areas.

• Report all injuries and accidents, large or small
  • For staff injuries, Workers' Compensation information and forms are located in the employee break room and in the Nurse's Station.
  • For resident injuries, see below.
• Document injuries and events requiring an Incident report. Notify families as appropriate.
  • Complete the LIC 624 for all resident injuries or disease outbreak and have the Administrator approve before faxing.
  • Document elder abuse/neglect reports on the SOC 341 form and have Administrator approve before faxing.
• All staff are mandated reporters. If you view abuse (including resident self abuse), follow the guidelines posted in the Med room and call the Administrator immediately.
• If the Administrator is not on duty, the Lead is responsible for notifying the family and the Administrator regardless of day or night of all unusual events. Such events should be documented by the responsible caregiver using the proper regulatory form. The form will be reviewed by the Administrator and sent to CCLD if required.
• Ensure there are no objects in the walkways that would cause an accident.
• Chemicals are properly stored and not available to residents, including in the residents rooms.
• All cabinets containing glass or hazardous materials are locked, including cabinets in the resident's bathroom and cabinets in the dining area.
• Encourage the caregivers on your shift to work safely using gait belts, hoyer lifts, and two -person transfer for identified residents.

• Successfully complete all pre-hire requirements: background clearance, pre-employment physical, TB test, optional Hepatitis B test, optional current COVID and Flu vaccinations
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail; well organized and ability to document clearly.
• Complete all required initial and recurring training requirements
• Be well-groomed and neat in appearance.
• Be reliable, responsible, timely, and efficient. Strong attention to detail, well organized, and a team player.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multitask.
• Strong communication skills to work well with the House Manager, Lead Caregiver, peer staff, clients, and families.
• Approachable, professional presentation and attitude; always willing to help and lead other caregivers to go the extra mile. Promote a team spirit and a 'can do' attitude.

About Ingleside Assisted Living:

Ingleside has a proven history of providing exceptional care for seniors. Ingleside was established in 2008 and has grown from one community to three. Over the years Ingleside has developed a caring environment that provides consistent, loving service to our residents and families. Ingleside hires and develops the best caregivers the central coast has to offer. Ingleside constantly strives for improvement, and it is comforting for the families to know their loved ones are in a stable, established community.