Unit of competency
Modification History
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Release |
Comments |
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Release 1 |
This version was released in HLT Health Training Package release 2.0 and meets the requirements of the 2012 Standards for Training Packages. Significant changes to the elements and performance criteria. New evidence requirements for assessment, including volume and frequency requirements. Significant change to knowledge evidence. |
Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to administer medications to people and monitor them, as per the delegation from a relevant health professional, in accordance with legislation and the employing organisation’s medication and delegation policies and practice.
This unit applies to community services and health workers with the relevant authority in their state or territory to administer medication and monitor them as per the delegation from a relevant health professional.
Ongoing requirements to demonstrate competency in drug calculations may apply, and users should refer to relevant state/territory regulatory requirements.
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 describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
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1. Identify situations that are a potential risk to the safe administration of medications |
1.1 Access and read information to enable identification of substance incompatibilities based on care plan and delegation 1.2 Identify environmental and time management issues that may impact on or contraindicate administration of medication 1.3 Report potential risks related to medication administration to delegating 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 Pro-actively identify any limitations in own capability in relation to undertaking delegated medication administration function and report to delegating health professional |
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2. Prepare for medication administration |
2.1 Confirm delegating health professionals authority to proceed with delegation of medication administration according to organisation policies, guidelines and protocols and jurisdictional legislative and regulatory requirements 2.2 Clarify own role and limitations in providing assistance with medication administration with delegating health professional 2.3 Check that all equipment, including dose administration aids, are complete, ready for use, up to date and tamper free before proceeding 2.4 Follow infection control procedures 2.5 Confirm medication administration route and procedure 2.6 Confirm purpose and function of prescribed medications from care plans and delegating health professional 2.7 Accurately calculate medication dosages according to authorised documented request 2.8 Prepare medications according to delegated role and in line with legal and environmental guidelines |
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3. Identify and prepare the client for administration of medication |
3.1 Greet and identify client according to organisation procedures and prepare for medication administration 3.2 Check client medication according to organisation guidelines and the delegation from the health professional 3.3 Accurately explain the administration procedure to the client 3.4 Prior to the administration of medication, check the client for any physical or behavioural changes that may indicate the need to report todelegating health professional |
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4. Administer medications within legal parameters |
4.1 Administer medications as delegated within role responsibility 4.2 Administer medications according to "rights of medication", specific requirements from the form prescribed and in accordance with defined legislation, organisation procedures, professional standards and prescriber’s written instructions where available 4.3 Assist the client taking the medication as required and according to documented procedures and professional standards 4.4 Oversee and observe the client when taking medication and confirm ingestion or completion of administration 4.5 Dispose of all used and unused medication, containers, according to organisation procedures 4.6 Identify signs from client "when necessary" medications might be required, then inform delegating health practitioner and act in accordance with organisation’s policies, procedures, delegation and role responsibility 4.7 Record administration of medications according to organisation policy 4.8 Provide accurate information to clients and carers on medication administration, including possible side effects as per instructions of the delegating health professional |
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5. Monitor client response to administered medication |
5.1 Identify possible acute and delayed adverse reactions to medications, respond within role responsibility and report to supervisor or health professional 5.2 Implement emergency response for identified acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility 5.3 Record and report response to emergency strategies 5.4 Identify signs of a client experiencing pain and report to health professional 5.5 Observe and record client response to pain relieving medication and report to health professional |
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6. Handle medication contingencies |
6.1 Report medication refusal or incomplete ingestion to supervising health professional according to organisation’s procedures and protocols 6.2 Clearly identify contaminated or out of date medication and implement organisation’s procedures for safe and appropriate disposal 6.3 Observe and record changes in the client’s condition according to the organisation’s guidelines and report to supervisor and health professional 6.4 Record and report any inconsistencies according to delegation and organisation guidelines and procedures |
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7. Complete medication distribution and administration |
7.1 Manage medication equipment and used containers according to infection control guidelines 7.2 Complete arrangements and procedures to replenish dose administration aids and supplies 7.3 Store medication charts, care plans and treatment sheets according to the organisation’s procedures 7.4 Complete medication storage procedures in compliance with legislation and own role responsibility |
Foundation Skills
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The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (such as language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
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Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |
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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
