Modification History
CHC08 Version 3 |
CHC08 Version 4 |
Comments |
CHCCS424A Administer and monitor medications |
CHCCS424B Administer and monitor medications |
ISC upgrade changes to remove references to old OHS legislation and replace with references to new WHS legislation. No change to competency outcome. |
Unit Descriptor
Descriptor |
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to responsibly administer and monitor prescribed medications to a person with stable health conditions in a range of settings under delegation from a health professional in accordance with legislation and the organisation's medication and delegation policies and practice This unit is available only as part of a qualification at Certificate IV level and above or as part of the High support and complex care skill set which is available to those holding a Certificate IV qualification |
Application of the Unit
Application |
This unit of competency requires the application of skills and knowledge to administer medication to clients in a manner that is safe Competency requires an awareness of and practice consistent with health legislative requirements and codes of practice and enterprise safe workplace practices The unit must be applied strictly in accordance with relevant state/territory legislation and industry guidelines which include, but are not limited to:
Legislation and industry guidelines (contd):
When the requirements of this standard are achieved, medications will be administered strictly in compliance with advice, instruction and relevant legislation. Where necessary, health professional support is sought to administer medication as appropriate for that environment or context Annual reconfirmation of the essential knowledge and competency by the employer within performance management framework is mandatory |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Pre-requisites |
This unit must be assessed after achievement of the following related units of competency:
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Employability Skills Information
Employability Skills |
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Identify situations that pose a potential risk to the safe administration of medications |
1.1 Based on care plan and/or delegation, access information to enable identification of substance incompatibilities 1.2 Identify environmental and/or practice issues that may impact on or contraindicate administration of medication in specific situations 1.3 Report potential risks related to medication administration to supervisor or health professional 1.4 Confirm client identity and if any allergies exist 1.5 Identify drugs and poisons schedules and classifications as determined by law 1.6 Identify any limitations on own capability in relation to undertaking delegated medication administration function and report to delegating health professional |
2. Prepare for medication administration within a variety of settings |
2.1 Establish authority to assist with medication administration in line with organisation policies, guidelines and protocols and jurisdictional legislative and regulatory requirements 2.2 Clarify role in providing assistance with medication administration in line with delegation 2.3 Confirm that all dose administration aids are complete, ready for use and up to date 2.4 Implement personal hygiene procedures according to organisation policy and procedure to ensure cross infection is minimised 2.5 Ensure practice is at all times consistent with policies, procedures and delegations in order to fulfil duty of care requirements 2.6 Gather equipment required for medication administration 2.7 Confirm medication administration route and associated terminology and procedures for medication administration 2.8 Identify from the care plan the purpose and function of prescribed medications for administration 2.9 Report environmental and/or practice issues that may impact on or contraindicate administration of medication in specific situations and seek direction from supervisor or health professional 2.10 Accurately measure and/or calculate dosages for administration of medication 2.11 Prepare medications according to delegated role and in line with legal and environmental guidelines 2.12 Demonstrate medication administration techniques and precautions specific to each client as per delegation |
3. Identify and prepare the client for administration of medication |
3.1 Identify the client, including clients who self administer, according to organisation procedures and delegation 3.2 Greet correctly identified client and prepare for medication administration 3.3 Check client medication according to organisation guidelines and delegation 3.4 Inform the client of the administration procedure 3.5 Prior to administration, check the client for any physical or behavioural changes that may indicate the need to report to delegating health professional, according to organisation policies and procedures |
4. Administer required medications within legal parameters |
4.1 Administer medications as delegated within role responsibility according to the law and environment policy 4.2 Prepare and administer medications according to specific requirements of the form of medication, in strict accordance with defined legislation and organisation procedures, according to delegation and in line with prescriber's written instructions where available 4.3 Implement all checks to ensure the right medication is given at the right time, to the right person, in the right amount, via the right route, in the right form 4.4 Assist the client taking the medication as required and according to documented procedures 4.5 Supervise and observe the client when taking medication and confirm ingestion or completion 4.6 Dispose of all used and unused medication, containers, needles and syringes in line with organisation procedures 4.7 Identify signs that PRN medications may be required, review care plan and written instructions and act in accordance with organisation's policies, procedures and role responsibility, in line with delegation |
5. Monitor client response to administered medication |
5.1 Record administration of medications according to organisation policy 5.2 Contribute to information provided to clients and carers on medication administration, including possible side effects 5.3 Identify apparent acute and delayed adverse reactions to medications, respond within role responsibility and report to supervisor or health professional 5.4 Implement emergency response for identified acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility 5.5 Record and report response to emergency strategies 5.6 Identify signs of a client experiencing pain and report to supervisor or health professional 5.7 Observe and record client response to pain relieving medication and report to supervisor or health professional |
6. Comply with the organisation's procedures for handling the range of issues/contingencies which may arise |
6.1 Report to supervisor and health professional client refusal to take medication or incomplete ingestion according to organisation's procedures and protocols 6.2 Identify contaminated or out of date medication 6.3 Implement organisation procedures for disposal of contaminated or out of date medication 6.4 Observe and record changes in the client's condition according to the organisation's guidelines and report to supervisor and health professional 6.5 Record and report any inconsistency (e.g. with the medication, the time or the client) according to the delegation 6.6 Document inconsistencies and address according to the organisation's guidelines and procedures |
7. Complete medication distribution and administration |
7.1 Manage the trolley, or other medication container and used medication containers according to industry and the organisation's infection control guidelines 7.2 Complete arrangements and procedures to replenish dose administration aids and supplies 7.3 Store medication charts according to the organisation's procedures to ensure safety, security and confidentiality 7.4 Complete medication storage procedures to maximise security, prevent medication deterioration and in compliance with legislation |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. |
Essential knowledge: The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role These include:
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Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:
It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:
In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role These include the ability to:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency: |
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Access and equity considerations: |
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Context of and specific resources for assessment: |
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Method of assessment: |
Assessment will include:
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Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. |
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Potential risk may include but is not limited to: |
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Delegation refers to: |
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Supervision refers to: |
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Health professional includes: |
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Settings may include: |
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Dose administration aids may include: |
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Equipment required may include: |
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Medication administration routes include: |
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Measure and/or calculate dosages includes: |
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Prepare medications may include: |
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Medication administration techniques may include, for example: |
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Prepare for medication administration may include: |
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Check client medication may include: |
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Physical or behavioural changes observed in condition of the client that must be immediately reported to a supervisor or health professional may include, but are not limited to: |
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The form of medication may include: |
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All checks include: |
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Incomplete ingestion includes: |
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Document inconsistencies may include: |
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Drug storage procedures include: |
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Required medications may include: |
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Client identification may include: |
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References may include: |
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Industry guidelines may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Not Applicable