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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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Health professional includes: | Health professionals relevant to medication administration in specific area of work: Complementary medicine therapist (subject to government and organisation policies) Dentist Dietitian Medical practitioners (General Practitioners and medical specialists) Occupational therapist Pharmacist Physiotherapist Podiatrist Psychiatrist Psychologist Registered nurses |
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Commonwealth and State/ Territory legislation may include: | Aged Care legislation Community care legislation and polices Disability Services legislation (Commonwealth and State) Drugs and Poison's Act and Regulations and other relevant State/territory legislation, regulations and policies Legislation, regulations and policies relevant to each State or Territory Nurses Registration legislation |
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Authority to proceed refers to: | Ensuring all organisation guidelines are followed Ensuring that all documentation in relation to a client's medication has been checked Ensuring that the prescribing health professional has documented all medications and instructions Ensuring the client has been assessed by a health professional for the level of assistance required and they or their decision-maker understands and can make the request for assistance Ensuring the client has up to date / current documentation on the level of assistance and support required in relation to medication |
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Supervisor may include: | Health professional Supervision may be provided on site or through an on call system Supervisor or team leader with experience and appropriate qualification/s in administration of medication and/or assistance with self medication at a higher level than the worker |
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Required medications may include: | Medications prescribed for a client by a health professional and dispensed by a pharmacist in dose administration aids Medications purchased over the counter and identified in the client's health/care/support plan or drug/ treatment sheet PRN medications: as prescribed and instructed by the health professional in response to staff observation of need as identified in drug sheet and/or health/care/support plan and according to relevant legislation, organisation guidelines and clear written instructions from a health professional in response to specific information provided by client, where the medication is documented in the client's health/care/support plan |
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Industry standards include: | Aged Care Accreditation Standards and policies Disability Service Standards and policies Home and Community Care National Service Standards and policies State or Territory government policies |
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Required equipment may include: | Administration aid / medication pack Applicator for lotions / ointments Aprons Container for dirty spoons/dishes Cotton wool / gauze Drug/treatment sheet or case record Gloves Health/care/support plan Key to medication storage/cupboard/area Measuring cups Medicine dishes/cups Mortar and pestle Nebuliser / spacer Paper towels and tissues Spoons Tablet divider Tea towel Tumblers Water jug and cup |
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Organisation guidelines for client identification may include: | Actions to be taken if a client who is self-administering fails to identify themselves correctly Confirmation from nursing/care staff or client's family or friends Referral to identification such as photographic identification of client in client cards Response by client Visual recognition |
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Organisation policy for checking medications with clients who are self-medicating may include: | Confirming the following with the client: the amount of medication (e.g. number of tablets or amount of gel) the time for self-medication (e.g. once a day with food) the route of self-medication (e.g. by mouth) any alterations authorised by the pharmacist, registered nurse or health professional (e.g. crush tablets or mix with water or food) Checking the medication for expiry date and any obvious discrepancies such as colour changes, disintegration or deterioration |
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Dose administration aids may include: | Blister packs - single dose packs and multi-dose packs Dosettes Sachets |
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Organisation guidelines for checking medication may include: | Checking dose administration aids for evidence of tampering Checking medication is free from contamination or deterioration Checking that administration, instructions and the identity of the client correlate with documentation Checking that discrepancies in administration are documented appropriately Checking the procedure for infection control, storage and disposal |
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Prepare the client for assistance with administration of medication may include: | Discussing the procedure Encouraging client's participation Adjusting posture and position Seeking assistance from other staff if available and required Providing privacy Appropriate exposure of treatment area (in the case of lotion application) |
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Circumstances when appropriate action is to report observed client health status rather than proceeding to administer medication may include but are not limited to: | Changes in condition of the client that must be immediately reported Client refusal Client unconscious |
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Current needs may include: | Assistance in securing client cooperation Posture or positioning of client including physically supporting the client Provision of approved PRN order according to relevant legislation, organisation guidelines and doctors orders |
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Prepare medications may include: | Assistance provided in taking medication by grinding or dividing tablets where there are clearly written instructions Dissolving powder medication in water Measuring liquid medications into measuring cup / spoon Placing medication in nebuliser / spacer Placing tablets/capsules from dose administration aids into a medicine cup |
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Necessary checks include: | Checking client details Checking for authorisation Checking medication against the requirements Checking the chart Checking the client's health/care/support plan Checking the treatment sheets |
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References may include: | Drugs hotline/Drug Information Line MIMS annual or drug reference guide |
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Forms of medication may include: | Capsules Ear-drops Eye-drops Inhalants Liquid Lotion and cream Nose-drops Ointments Patches Powder Tablets Wafers |
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Possible changes in condition of the client that must be immediately reported to a supervisor or health professional may include, but are not limited to: | Anything that appears different from the client's usual state Blurred vision Changes in behaviour Changes to airway (e.g. choking), changes to breathing (including slowed, fast or absent breathing), changes in person's colour (e.g. pale or flushed appearance or bluish tinge), or changes to circulation (including unexpected drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and absence of pulse) Confusion Feelings of dizziness Headache Inflammation or redness Nausea and vomiting Others as advised by health professional Rash Skin tone Slurring of speech Swelling |
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Incomplete ingestion includes: | Ejection of medication Inability or difficulties in swallowing tablets, capsules or liquids Refusal to take medications Vomiting |
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Document all inconsistencies may include: | Adverse drug incident reports Client's record of medications according to organisation guidelines Incident reports Medical charts Progress notes |
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Medication storage procedures include: | Acting in accordance with defined job role Locking and storing drugs according to organisation policy and procedure Referring to instructions from health professional/ manufacturer |
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Industry guidelines may include: | Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council (APAC): Guidelines for medication management in residential aged care facilities and Guiding principles for medication management in the community 2006 State and Territory legislation, policies and guidelines Organisation policies and procedures WHS industry guides |
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Physical assistance provided to administer medication or support self medication may include: | Discussing the process and addressing any likely difficulties Confirming the time and type of medication Establishing the type and level of support required by the client to take / receive the medication Adjusting posture or position Opening bottles or dose administration aids Removing tablets or capsules from dose administration aids Measuring the amount of liquid required into a medicine cup or a cream onto the affected area Crushing or dividing tablets where indicated by pharmacist or health professional Placing medication into nebulisers or spacers Dissolving medication in water Ensuring that fluids are available to assist with swallowing Providing privacy NB Medication dose must be prepared by a pharmacist |