Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Medication Self-Administration Support
- Support residents who have been clinically assessed and approved to self-administer medications with assistance or oversight
- Provide verbal prompts, visual cues, redirection, and step-by-step reminders appropriate for residents with cognitive impairment
- Observe residents during self-administration to confirm medications are taken correctly and safely, without preparing, measuring, selecting, or handing individual doses.
- Maintain consistent medication routines to reduce anxiety, refusal, and confusion common in dementia care.
- Respect residents’ right to refuse medication; document refusals immediately and report patterns to nursing leadership.
Medication Safety and Oversight
- Ensure medications are stored, labeled, and secured per NYS DOH Assisted Living/Memory Care regulations.
- Monitor for side effects, swallowing difficulties, behavioral changes, or adverse reactions, and report findings promptly to the RN.
- Recognize when a resident’s cognitive decline may require re-evaluation of self-administration status and escalate concerns appropriately.
Documentation and Communication
- Accurately document self-administration, refusals, PRN use (when permitted), and observations in the MAR/eMAR according to policy.
- Participate in medication self-administration assessments and reassessments required for memory care residents.
- Communicate effectively with nursing staff, memory care leadership, and interdisciplinary team members regarding resident status.
Dementia-Focused Care Responsibilities
- Use person-centered, trauma-informed dementia care techniques during medication routines.
- De-escalate agitation or resistance using approved non-pharmacological interventions.
- Maintain resident dignity, privacy, and autonomy during all medication-related interactions.
Requirements
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required
- Current Certified Medication Aide (CMA) or NYS-approved medication assistance credential
- Completion of NYS-approved Assisted Living/Memory Care medication assistance training
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and document accurately
- Demonstrated patience, empathy, and professionalism when working with cognitively impaired residents
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Assisted Living/Memory Care or Special Needs ALR
- Dementia-specific training (Alzheimer’s, behavioral symptoms, redirection)
- Familiarity with NYS DOH ALR survey expectations
Physical & Work Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, and provide physical cueing or assistance as needed
- Ability to remain calm and attentive in a memory care environment
Summary
The Certified Medication Aide (CMA) in the Assisted Living/Memory Care assists with self‑administration of medications for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who have been assessed and approved to self‑administer with supervision. The CMA delivers structured queueing, observation, safety oversight, and documentation in adherence with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) regulations and facility policies.
This role emphasizes resident safety, dignity, routine, and person‑centered dementia care. The CMA does not independently administer medications or exercise nursing judgment and works under the direction of licensed nursing staff.
This is a full-time (30+hrs /week) non-exempt non-union position.