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Provide assistance with administration of medications for clients in accordance with the client's individual support needs, including providing physical assistance to take the medication or supporting a client to self administers medications
This assistance is to be provided in accordance with the worker's defined job role and always in compliance with legal and organisation policies and procedures including principles of best practice relating to:

all work to be in accordance with health professionals instructions

applying standard and additional precautions in infection control

correct documentation of medication administered

following instructions for assisting with administration of medication as per the clients healthcaresupport plan

following occupational health and safety OHS guidelines

medication provision including managing and reporting contingencies which may arise

observing recording and reporting on the clients state of health and well being

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

Demonstrate the following skills including specific levels of literacy and numeracy and physical capabilities as required to

accurately use dose administration aids

correctly read and follow all documentation relevant to the administration of medication including clients healthcaresupport plan information sheets treatment sheets instructions from pharmacy and health professional for administration and storage requirements of medications

discuss the selfmedication process with the client and the support needed

negotiate the level and type of physical assistance to be provided to address the clients needs

observe report and record discrepancies in the medication instructions and administration procedures

recognise possible changes in condition of the client through observation or as communicated by the client

report and record any changes in clients condition as listed in the range statement before during and after medication has been taken to a supervisor and or health professional so action can be taken

undertake required communication and documentation tasks

verbally report relevant details by telephone or facetoface

Distribute medications in a timely appropriate and effective way to clients with differing needs and according to the form of medication

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use equipment listed in the Range Statement effectively and appropriately

Evidence Required



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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency	The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills This unit must be assessed in the workplace under the normal range of work conditions Prior to application of skills in the workplace assessments should be undertaken in a simulated environment as an appropriate risk management strategy Assessment must be conducted on more than one occasion to cover a variety of circumstances and medication types Assessment must be undertaken by a person with higher order medication managementadministration qualifications and current knowledge of practices relevant to medications in the health and community services sectors Employers should endeavour to maintain currency of skills and knowledge in line with specific workplace andor jurisdictional requirements through annual workplace skills assessments

Access and equity considerations	All workers in community services should be aware of access equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment	This unit can be assessed independently however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged Competency in this unit should be assessed using all the relevant resources commonly provided in community and residential care service settingsSpecific tools may include Competency in this unit should be assessed using all the relevant resources commonly provided in community and residential care service settings Specific tools may include: medication charts and documentation medications and equipment relevant policies and procedures manuals other documentation relevant to the work context such as organisation charts floor plans instructions for the use of equipment specific instructions for staff reporting procedures organisation documents client list relevant guidelines and legislation other documentation relevant to the work context such as: . organisation charts . floor plans . instructions for the use of equipment . specific instructions for staff, reporting procedures, organisation documents . client list . relevant guidelines and legislation relevant equipment and cleaning agents currently used in the workplace

Method of assessment	Assessment will include Observation of work performance Supporting statement of supervisors Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience andor formalinformal learning Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to safely support the administration of medication in specific work environments and communities Written assessment of functional English language literacy and numeracy skills appropriate to the level of responsibility of the care worker Annual reconfirmation of the essential knowledge including written or oral assessment and competency by the employer within a performance management framework is desirable

Range Statement



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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dose administration aids may include:	Blister packs - single dose packs and multi-dose packs Dosettes Sachets

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

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)

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

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

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

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

References may include:	Drugs hotline/Drug Information Line MIMS annual or drug reference guide

Forms of medication may include:	Capsules Ear-drops Eye-drops Inhalants Liquid Lotion and cream Nose-drops Ointments Patches Powder Tablets Wafers

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

Incomplete ingestion includes:	Ejection of medication Inability or difficulties in swallowing tablets, capsules or liquids Refusal to take medications Vomiting

Document all inconsistencies may include:	Adverse drug incident reports Client's record of medications according to organisation guidelines Incident reports Medical charts Progress notes

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

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 OHS industry guides

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

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CHCCS305B - Assist clients with medication

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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Evidence Required

Range Statement