Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage the use of medications in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care. It includes supply, transport and storage of medicines; the legal, professional and safety aspects of medicines use; and the supervision of other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers with authority to administer medication, and management of clinic medicines stocks.

This unit applies to those senior Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers overseeing clinical aspects of the delivery of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

Note: The skills and knowledge specifically required to administer medications is covered by HLTAHW020 Administer medications.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role.

There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• managed the safe administration of medicines by appropriately authorised Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers or practitioners on at least three occasions by:

• providing clear information on medicines, through accurate interpretation of MIMS and other medication references and resources, such as standing orders, guidelines and Consumer Medicines Information
• checking calculations and measurements of dosages undertaken by other authorised practitioners
• documenting all outcomes of administration of medication in line with own role and medication administered

• initiated treatment involving medication on at least three occasions by:

• using standard treatment manuals to initiate assessment and treatment, in consultation with an authorised practitioner
• referring to the pharmacist regarding medication
• consulting authorised practitioners’ instructions and orders in regards to dispensing medication

• managed processes for the ordering, transport, storage and disposal of medication on at least one occasion by:

• managing relationships with relevant suppliers, pharmacies and hospitals
• overseeing the maintenance of medicines records
• using checking systems to regularly review out-of-date stock, understocked or other requirements for medication
• ensuring medication was kept in secured locations and accessed by authorised personnel, according to legislation and organisation procedures and policies
• applying cold chain storage principles where appropriate in the storage of medications.

Knowledge Evidence

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.

This includes knowledge of:

• application of universal precautions in the administration of medicines
• key aspects of federal and state legislation relating to the control, storage and dispensing of drugs and medication
• legislative and regulatory requirements for labelling, storage and safe disposal of medicines
• key aspects of the requirements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• signs of anaphylaxis and methods of management
• western and traditional/bush medicines and treatments
• special considerations in use of medicines, including:

• pregnancy and lactation
• renal failure
• anti-coagulant therapy

• organisational policies and procedures relating to drugs and medications, including storage, ordering, management and access.

Assessment Conditions

Unless state or territory legislation prevents practice in the workplace, skills must be demonstrated working:

• in a health service or centre
• as part of a multidisciplinary primary health care team
• with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.

Note: Where state or territory legislation prevents practice in the workplace, simulated assessment environments may only be used in place of workplace assessment.

In addition, simulations and scenarios must be used where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely. These are situations relating to emergency or unplanned procedures where assessment in these circumstances would be unsafe or is impractical.

Simulated assessment environments must simulate the real-life working environment where these skills and knowledge would be performed, with all the relevant equipment and resources of that working environment.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Assessment must be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in this unit of competency and who is:

• a Registered Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner

or:

• a Registered Health Practitioner accompanied by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705