MEDICATION TECHNICIAN BUTNER, NC

Position Summary

Since our opening in 1987, New Hope Treatment Centers has been a welcoming place for young people in moments of crisis. Our programs have played a role in countless success stories through our relational approach to behavioral healthcare. The Medication Technician (Med Tech) provides medication administration support and direct care to adolescents receiving services in the PIVOT Program, a secure, high-acuity behavioral health program in collaboration with the North Carolina Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJ). Working under the direction and delegation of licensed nursing staff, the Med Tech safely performs the technical task of medication administration as authorized, documents medication-related activities, observes youth, and promptly reports medication concerns or changes in condition to the supervising nurse. The Med Tech supports the physical health, safety, dignity, and recovery of youth while promoting trauma-informed, least restrictive care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Administers medications to youth as ordered and as authorized by agency policy, applicable requirements, validated competency, and delegation by licensed nursing staff.

· Follows the established medication administration process, including verification of the correct youth, medication, dose, route, time, and required documentation.

· Documents medication administration accurately and timely in the medication administration record (MAR/eMAR) and other required health records.

· Maintains medication security and follows established procedures for medication storage, access, inventory, controlled substances, and medication-room safety.

· Immediately reports medication errors, refusals, omissions, unavailable medications, suspected adverse reactions, or other medication-related concerns to the supervising nurse and follows required reporting procedures.

· Observes youth before, during, and after medication administration and promptly communicates changes in physical condition, mental status, behavior, or safety to licensed nursing staff.

· Does not independently assess medication effectiveness, diagnose adverse reactions, determine whether a medication should be held or discontinued, change medication orders, or make decisions requiring licensed nursing judgment.

· Assists nursing staff with medication reconciliation, medication counts, pharmacy deliveries, refill coordination, and medication records as assigned and within role expectations.

· Supports youth education and medication routines using developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed communication while referring clinical medication questions to licensed nursing staff or the prescribing provider.

· Provides direct care and support to youth within assigned responsibilities and assists with maintaining a safe, structured, therapeutic environment.

· Provides observation of youth assigned to suicide precautions or other enhanced supervision protocols when assigned, documents required observations, and immediately reports safety concerns.

· Utilizes approved trauma-informed communication, therapeutic engagement, and de-escalation techniques during routine care and behavioral crises.

· Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, organizational policies, and applicable DJJ requirements.

· Participates in treatment team communication and collaborates effectively with nursing, clinical, behavioral health, pharmacy, and DJJ staff.

· Maintains flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency staffing assignments.

· Performs other duties as assigned consistent with the authorized Medication Technician role.

Competencies

· Trauma-Informed Care: Provides compassionate, developmentally appropriate medication support using trauma-responsive principles.

· Medication Safety: Follows medication administration procedures and promptly reports medication errors, refusals, omissions, or concerns.

· Clinical Observation: Recognizes and promptly reports changes in physical, psychiatric, or behavioral presentation to licensed nursing staff.

· Communication & Collaboration: Works effectively with nursing, pharmacy, clinical, behavioral health, and DJJ team members.

· Documentation & Compliance: Completes accurate MAR/eMAR and related documentation and follows medication-management requirements.

· Safety Awareness: Maintains medication security and a safe therapeutic environment while following infection-control and safety procedures.