Supervisor of Medication Program

West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, Inc.

Job Description:  Supervisor of Medication Program

Under the supervision of the Director of Social Services and in consultation with the Valley Lodge Assistant Program Director, provide a range of services related to the supervision of residents in self-administering their medications with the goal of enabling residents to live permanently at West 108^th Street as safely and independently as possible.

SUPERVISION:

• Supervise the entire medication program at West 108^th Street, including:  assuring prescriptions, inventory, storage, record-keeping, assistance with administration, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Perform regular quality assurance checks to maintain highest level of medication assistance.
• Directly supervise medication staff:  
  • • assure appropriate staffing at all times, including scheduling;
    • assure proper training and continuing education;
    • assure compliance with New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Department of Health (DOH) regulations.

RESIDENT MEDICATIONS:

• Medication Storage:  Assure that all medication is stored appropriately (in original labeled container, in accordance with safety requirements (refrigerated medications stored in refrigerator, oral medications stored separately from topical medications, controlled substances stored in double locked box, medication room always locked when not occupied by staff.
• Medication Orders:  Assure that no medication is dispensed without written orders from the prescribing practitioner. 
• Documentation of Medication Orders:  Assure that the medication log accurately reflects the written orders of the resident’s prescribing practitioner(s), and that contents of pharmacy prepared blister packs accurately reflect the written orders of the resident’s prescribing practitioner(s).  Assure that corrections to the medication log are made in ink, and that correction fluid or cover-labels are not used in the medication log. 
• Medication Administration:  Assure that all medications are administered according to medication orders and in compliance with all DOH/OMH regulations.  When assisting with medication administration, carefully watch each resident, assuring that:  The right resident, is taking the right medication, in the right dose, at the right time, by the right route.  Assure that no actual medications (eg:  pills) are touched by staff, only containers (blister packs, bottles, and or tubes).
• Documentation of Medication Administration:  Assure that all medication administration is documented by the individual assisting with administration and is in compliance with all applicable NYS DOH/OMH regulations.  In the event of resident absence or resident refusal of medications, assure that this absence or refusal is documented in compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Medication Supply:  Assure that there is an adequate supply of medications on hand for each resident.  Specifically, in the event less than 3-day supply of medication, order refill, send in new prescription, or refer problem immediately to the assigned case worker, Clinical Coordinator or Director of Social Services.
• Medication Changes:  Medication changes, either in writing or by phone are typically handled by the Medication Supervisor, with appropriate changes to medication log and pharmacy created changes to the packaging (eg: new blister packs).  Staff will never change packaging by adding or subtracting medications to existing blister packs.
• Discharge of Medication:  assure proper disposal of unused, outdated medication including following protocols for the disposal of controlled substances in conformance with the New York State DOH Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

SERVICES TO RESIDENTS

• Assist residents in administration of medications as prescribed, in a supportive, professional and timely manner.
• Coordinate all resident appointments and assure appropriate documentation of these appointments.

• Assist residents as needed in activities of daily living, including: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, walking, eating and personal care

OTHER

• Work as a member of a team to establish and maintain high level of care and respect for and communication with residents
• Work cooperatively with other staff members
• Share information about resident progress, needs, and problems with other staff in accordance with WSFSSH Confidentiality Policy.
• Attend training sessions and conferences as required for enhancement of job skills
• Implement emergency procedures as necessary
• Submit all required reports in a complete and timely manner
• Assist with other duties as directed

QUALIFICATIONS EXPECTED:

• Preferred:  At least 1 year experience assisting residents with self-administration of medications.
• Preferred:  At least 1 year working with dependent persons, preferred; persons who have experienced homelessness, persons living with serious mental illnesses, older persons.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Able to work in a multicultural and diverse environment
• Able to perform job responsibilities.

• Able to speak, read, and write English (as required by DSS regulation 487.9.13)

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principal at WSFSSH, where employment is based upon employees’ qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.