Unit Of competency
Modification History
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Release |
Comments |
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Release 2 |
Updated:
Equivalent outcome. |
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Release 1 |
This unit was released in HLT Health Training Package release 1.0 and meets the requirements of the 2012 Standards for Training Packages. |
Application
This describes the skills and knowledge required to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities to safely use medication through the provision of accurate information about medicines. This unit includes investigating individual client needs for information, and researching and delivering knowledge to clients to support the Quality Use of Medicines. It also involves delivering information as part of health promotion activities with communities or identified groups.
The unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers providing a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
This unit does not include skills and knowledge to administer or supervise self-administration of medication, which is covered in 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
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ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
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Elements define the essential outcomes. |
Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
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1. Determine client medication requirements |
1.1 Consult client and/or significant others for medication history and allergies 1.2 Review relevant documentation 1.3 Identify options and contraindications of commonly used medications and discuss with prescriber and other relevant staff 1.4 Maintain appropriate records of client medication in line with organisation requirements |
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2. Interpret and clarify orders and instructions for medication |
2.1 Receive and correctly interpret written and verbal orders and instructions for medications 2.2 Identify potential drug interactions and refer to the authorised prescriber 2.3 Consult authorised practitioners and other senior health staff if required to clarify medication instructions 2.4 Check written and verbal medication instructions against published medicines’ information resources 2.5 Recognise special precautions and contraindications of use of particular medicines and refer to an appropriate person |
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3. Support clients in their use of traditional and western medicines |
3.1 Identify traditional/bush medicines commonly used in the local community 3.2 Support and promote the role of traditional healers and traditional/bush medicines as an adjunct to western medical treatment 3.3 Identify generic and brand names of medicines used commonly in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health practice, using reference sources as required 3.4 Provide information to clients on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects 3.5 Provide Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) and explain to clients as required 3.6 Support clients to question proposed medical treatments to clarify the purpose, action and any issues relating to medication 3.7 Obtain feedback from client to determine their understanding of information provided 3.8 Support clients, where appropriate, to obtain prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and other federal initiatives |
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4. Deliver information to support clients in the use of medications |
4.1 Deliver clear and accurate information to support the client’s Quality Use of Medicines in a confidential and culturally appropriate and safe manner 4.2 Check the client’s understanding of information provided and support the client to make decisions and further inquiries about medication use 4.3 Support clients to obtain access to benefit schemes and other supports as appropriate 4.4 Evaluate the impact of information on the individual client’s health through follow-up contact 4.5 Document all information provided about medications according to organisation procedures |
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5. Provide advice about storage and transport of medication |
5.1 Explain to client the importance of correct and secure storage of medication in the home or other locations, including keeping medication away from children 5.2 Advise clients of the correct way to handle medication, including cold chain transport for medication requiring refrigeration 5.3 Explain to clients the importance of only using in date and undamaged medication 5.4 Provide advice to clients to correctly transport, store and dispose of their medications |
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6. Provide information and support to community |
6.1 Communicate in a culturally appropriate and safe manner with community members to identify community or specific group requirements for medication information 6.2 Investigate generic medication information to be provided to support community or specific group needs 6.3 Identify and make use of culturally appropriate and safe ways to effectively provide information to community and specific groups about medication 6.4 Support individual members of community or specific groups to gain individual advice about specific medication issues 6.5 Evaluate the impact of information on the community or a specific group’s awareness and use of medication through follow-up contact with community members |
Foundation Skills
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The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
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Numeracy |
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Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.
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
