Description
Administer routine non-parenteral medications and provide basic resident care under the direction of licensed nursing staff. Monitor and document medication effects and vital signs, maintain accurate medication records and supplies, and assist with daily living activities in accordance with facility policies and state scope of practice.
- • Administer routine non-parenteral medications per MAR/eMAR under nurse supervision.
- • Verify medication orders and prepare doses using the five rights and required checks.
- • Administer oral, sublingual, and buccal medications.
- • Administer topical medications, transdermal patches, and ointments.
- • Administer ophthalmic, otic, and nasal drops or sprays.
- • Administer inhaled medications via metered-dose inhalers or nebulizers as directed.
- • Administer rectal or vaginal medications as permitted by policy and training.
- • Assist residents with swallowing pills, crushing medications, or mixing with approved foods as ordered.
- • Document all medication administration, refusals, and omissions accurately and timely.
- • Observe and report therapeutic effects, side effects, and adverse reactions promptly.
- • Measure and record vital signs before or after medications as indicated.
- • Perform capillary blood glucose testing and document results per protocol.
- • Remind residents to take medications and nutritional supplements on schedule.
- • Educate residents on medication purpose, dosing times, and common precautions within scope.
- • Maintain medication cart organization, cleanliness, and security.
- • Count, secure, and document controlled substances with required witness counts.
- • Order, receive, and restock medications; track refills, expirations, and storage requirements.
- • Identify and report medication errors or near misses; complete incident reports per policy.
- • Follow hand hygiene, PPE, and infection-control procedures during medication pass and care.
- • Collect and label specimens, such as urine or stool, per nurse direction.
- • Measure and record intake and output as directed.
- • Record and report patient observations, complaints, pain levels, or status changes to licensed staff.
- • Respond to call lights and determine residents’ needs, escalating as needed.
- • Assist with basic ADLs, including bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, and ambulation, as assigned.
- • Assist with safe transfers, positioning, and use of mobility or fall-prevention equipment.
- • Review dietary restrictions, allergies, and food–drug interactions before administering medications.
- • Set up and monitor oxygen or other basic equipment as directed by a nurse.
- • Prepare and clean medication administration areas; dispose of medication waste per policy.
- • Stock and issue medication-related supplies, such as cups, syringes for oral dosing, or inhaler spacers.
- • Participate in shift handoffs and team communication regarding medications and resident status.
- • Provide information and updates to residents, families, or caregivers within scope and privacy rules.
- • Transport specimens, pharmacy items, or documentation securely with proper chain-of-custody.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
