MAP Certified Medication Pass Staff – Rest Home2nd Shift and 3rd Shift
Position Title: MAP Certified Medication Pass Staff / Medication Assistant
Department: Resident Care / Nursing
Reports To: Charge Nurse, Wellness Nurse, Director of Nursing, or Administrator
Shifts Available: 2nd Shift and 3rd Shift
Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time / Per Diem
Location: Rest Home Setting
Position Summary
The MAP Certified Medication Pass Staff member is responsible for safely administering medications to residents in accordance with the Medication Administration Program standards, applicable Massachusetts regulations, physician orders, pharmacy instructions, facility policies, and the resident’s individualized care plan.
Candidates must have a valid MAP Certificate by the state of MA to pass medications.
This position plays an important role in supporting resident health, safety, comfort, and dignity during the evening and overnight hours. The MAP Certified staff member must demonstrate excellent attention to detail, strong documentation skills, good judgment, compassion, reliability, and the ability to communicate effectively with nurses, supervisors, residents, families, pharmacy, and other members of the care team.
The employee must work within the approved scope of MAP certification and facility policy at all times. Any change in resident condition, medication concern, refusal, omission, side effect, or emergency must be reported immediately to the supervising nurse or designated manager.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesMedication Administration
Administer scheduled and approved medications to residents during assigned medication pass times, including evening, bedtime, overnight, and early morning medication passes as applicable.
Follow the required rights of medication administration, including the right resident, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, and any additional facility-required safety checks.
Review the Medication Administration Record, physician orders, pharmacy labels, and care plan instructions before administering medications.
Prepare and administer medications accurately, safely, and respectfully.
Observe residents before, during, and after medication administration for any signs of difficulty, refusal, adverse reaction, change in condition, or concern.
Administer PRN medications only in accordance with facility policy, MAP guidelines, physician orders, and required approval or nursing oversight when applicable.
Document medication administration, refusals, omissions, PRN effectiveness, errors, or concerns promptly and accurately in the EMR/eMAR or paper MAR system.
Follow facility procedures for controlled substances, including counting, documentation, secure storage, shift-to-shift verification, and reporting discrepancies immediately.
Ensure medications are stored safely and securely according to facility policy, pharmacy requirements, and MAP standards.
Do not administer medications outside the scope of MAP certification, facility policy, or applicable regulation.
Resident Monitoring and Safety
Observe residents during the shift for changes in behavior, mental status, mobility, appetite, pain, skin condition, breathing, sleep patterns, or general health.
Immediately report changes in condition to the charge nurse, supervisor, or designated clinical leader.
Support residents with dignity, patience, compassion, and respect, especially residents living with dementia or cognitive impairment.
Assist with resident redirection, reassurance, comfort, and safety during evening and overnight hours.
Monitor for fall risk, wandering risk, agitation, discomfort, or any unusual changes and report concerns promptly.
Respond appropriately to call bells, alarms, resident requests, and urgent needs.
Maintain a calm and safe environment during 2nd and 3rd shift hours.
2nd Shift Responsibilities
Support the evening medication pass, dinner-time medications, bedtime medications, and related documentation.
Observe residents for evening changes in mood, behavior, appetite, fatigue, confusion, or discomfort.
Communicate resident updates to the nursing team, direct care staff, and incoming 3rd shift staff.
Assist with evening routines, resident comfort, hydration reminders, and safe transition toward bedtime.
Report concerns related to medication refusal, family questions, resident behavior changes, or care plan changes.
3rd Shift Responsibilities
Complete overnight and early morning medication pass duties as assigned.
Monitor residents during overnight hours for safety, comfort, sleep disruption, wandering, toileting needs, pain, or change in condition.
Maintain accurate overnight documentation and report any resident concerns to the nurse or supervisor.
Assist with controlled substance counts, medication cart security, and shift handoff.
Support early morning resident needs, including medications, hydration, comfort, and safe start of the day.
Communicate all overnight changes or concerns clearly to the day shift team.
Documentation and Communication
Accurately document all medications administered, refused, held, omitted, or delayed.
Document PRN medication administration and effectiveness according to facility policy.
Complete incident reports, medication error reports, or change-of-condition documentation as required.
Communicate clearly and professionally with nurses, supervisors, pharmacy, residents, and families when appropriate.
Participate in shift report and provide accurate information to the next shift.
Report medication supply issues, missing medications, pharmacy concerns, order discrepancies, or expired medications promptly.
Maintain confidentiality and follow HIPAA requirements at all times.
Teamwork and Professional Conduct
Work cooperatively with nurses, direct care staff, department heads, pharmacy, and management.
Maintain a positive, respectful, and resident-centered attitude.
Follow all facility policies related to infection control, resident rights, abuse prevention, emergency procedures, documentation, and professional conduct.
Attend required in-service trainings, staff meetings, MAP updates, competency reviews, and continuing education.
Maintain current MAP certification and immediately notify management of any change in certification status.
Serve as a reliable and professional member of the care team during evening and overnight operations.
Required Qualifications
Current Massachusetts MAP certification in good standing.
Experience with medication administration, eMAR/MAR documentation, and resident care preferred.
Experience working with older adults, dementia residents, rest home residents, assisted living residents, group home residents, or long-term care residents preferred.
Ability to read and understand physician orders, pharmacy labels, medication administration records, and care plan instructions.
Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written procedures.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
Ability to work independently during 2nd or 3rd shift while knowing when to report concerns immediately.
Reliable attendance and punctuality are required.
Must pass required background checks and meet facility employment requirements.
CPR/First Aid certification preferred or required according to facility policy.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with residents with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, behavioral symptoms, anxiety, depression, or cognitive impairment.
Familiarity with electronic medication administration records.
Experience with controlled substance documentation and medication cart management.
CNA, HHA, PCA, or direct care experience preferred.
Ability to remain calm and professional during emergencies or behavioral situations.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the shift.
Ability to push medication cart and safely assist residents as needed.
Ability to respond quickly to resident needs and emergencies.
Ability to lift or assist according to facility policy and safety standards.
Ability to work evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts as scheduled.
Key Skills Needed
Accuracy and attention to detail
Compassion and patience
Strong documentation skills
Good communication
Resident-centered approach
Reliability and accountability
Ability to follow medication procedures
Ability to recognize and report changes in condition
Teamwork and professionalism
Calm decision-making during evening and overnight hours
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Expected hours: 32.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid orientation
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
