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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Determine medication requirements
  2. Educate clients in use of medicines
  3. Administer medications safely and manage reactions
  4. Manage administration of chronic medicines
  5. Initiate therapy using standard treatment manuals
  6. Manage the ordering, transportation, storage and disposal of medicines

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Essential knowledge

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

Basic understanding of medication commonly used in daily role and effects on the body

Correct techniques for medicine administration for adults and children including

dividing scored tablets

swallowing tablets and capsules

reconstituting and administering correct volumes of mixtures

administering intramuscular and subcutaneous injections

use of metered dose aerosols and spacer devices

use of nebulisers installation of eareye drops and eye ointment

use of dosette box

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

Methods of medicine administration for adults and children including

oral

intramuscular and subcutaneous injection

intravenous injections and infusion

topical application creams ointments eye and ear drops

Occupational health and safety issues

Organisational policies and procedures relating to drugs and medications

Requirements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme PBS

Signs of anaphylaxis and methods of management

Special considerations in use of medicines including

pregnancy and lactation

renal failure

anticoagulant therapy

Types of locally availableused traditional bush medicines and their benefits

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Demonstrate competency across the range of medicines relevant to community needs and applied in line with workplace requirements and the relevant legislativeregulatory requirements

Initiate medicinal therapy in line with standard treatment manuals

Manage and educate staff to understand interpret and ensure accurate application of

prescriptions for medicines

dispensing instructions

manufacturers storage instructions

medicine disposal requirements

client health records

Manage relationships with relevant suppliers medical practitioners pharmacies and hospitals

Manage the consultation and communication with clients in regard to medicines usage

Manage the maintenance of medicines records

Manage the safe administration of medicines including chronic medicines using appropriate methods observing universal precautions and in line with organisation legal and regulatory requirements

Provide clear and accurate information and instruction to clients and staff on the use of medicines

Provide clear information on medicines through accurate interpretation of MIMS and other medication references and resources such as standing orders guidelines and Consumer Medicines Information

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

Undertake ordering transport dispensing and disposing of medicines in line with organisation procedures

Use published medication references and resources to

check written orders for medicines

identify medicines by their generic andor brand names

identify potential drug interactions

identify special precautions and contraindications

check terms and abbreviations commonly used in prescribing and administering medications

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 of assessment

Assessment of this unit must include practical demonstration of the competencies either in the workplace classroom or a combination of both

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where for reasons of safety space or access to equipment and resources assessment takes place away from the workplace the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Conditions of assessment

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander himherself

or

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment

Competence should be demonstrated working individually under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients

Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander clients.

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units

This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

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.

Cultural respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social wellbeing, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements

Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute "usual practice" due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by "usual practice circumstances"

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Medicines supplies may be sourced, for example from:

Manufacturer

Community or hospital pharmacy

Under the Commonwealth Section 100 scheme)

Interpretation of medicines orders may include:

Distinguishing generic names for medicines from brand names

Interpreting symbols and abbreviations in common use

Checking written medicines orders against published medicines information resources

Calculations and measures applied in the use of medicines may include:

Metric measures of weight and volumes are used and converted

Simple mathematical operations are used in the calculation of medicine dosage

Quantities of medicine are calculated for given doses of mixtures and tablets to meet client needs

Workplace procedures in the administration of medicines must include:

Observance of universal precautions

Doses of medicine to be checked with other appropriate health staff prior to administration

MIMS, CARPA and/or other reference sources for medicines information to be consulted

Powdered medicine to be reconstituted as a mixture according to manufacturer's instructions

Scored tablets to be split as required to make up a specified dose

Medicines for injection to be drawn up to the specified dose using sterile procedures and according to manufacturer's instructions

Medicine for nebulised inhalation to be correctly measured out and administered using an electronic nebuliser

Commonly used medication may include:

Analgesic&anti inflammatory medicines (paracetamol, aspirin, codeine, common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Medicines used for treatment of infections (common antibiotics, antifungal&anti parasitic agents, antivirals)

Cardiovascular medicines (commonly used anti-hypertensives, digoxin, anti-anginal medicines, lipid-lowering drugs, warfarin)

Medicines used in management of diabetes (metformin, sulphonamides&insulin)

Gastrointestinal medicines (antacids, peptic ulcer medications, laxatives)

Psychotropic and neurological medicines (common sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants)

Respiratory medicines (bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, prednisolone)

Hormonal (common oral, injectable and implantable contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, thyroxine)

Topical skin medicines (corticosteroids, permethrin)

The effects of medications may include:

Intended outcomes eg. stops pain, stops infection

Adverse reactions that must be recognised and appropriate action taken (refer if required), including:

cease administration of medication

management of anaphylactic shock reaction as per organisation protocols

referral to appropriate authority

documentation of event

highlight allergy in client file

Medication history may include:

Past medication history

Recent medication history

Drug allergies

Client records

Family history

Compliance history

Concurrent medications

Relevant documentation may include:

Client notes

Files

Specialist reports

Referrals

Reports from other professionals

Pathology reports

Legislative requirements may include:

Commonwealth, state and territory laws, regulations and directions, as determined by workplace requirements

Schedules 1 - 8 of the Drugs and Poisons Act

Drug storage and disposal requirements

Relevant information to be provided and explained to clients includes:

Medication side effects

Length of treatment

Drug interactions

Consequences of non-compliance

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

Clinical protocol manuals

Imprest lists

Occupational health and safety guidelines

Organisational/workplace procedure manuals

Infection control guidelines

Legislation

Methods of medication administration may include:

Topical

Oral

Intramuscular injections (IMI)

Subcutaneous injections (SCI)

Inhalations

Dosettes

Z track

Intradermal injection

Appropriate dispensing and administration must include:

The 5 'Rights' of administration:

right route

right person

right dose

right medication

right time

Application of universal precautions.

Medication side effects and contraindications may include:

Anaphylaxis

Contraindications

Special precautions

Drug interactions

Universal precautions include:

Standard procedures for infection control

Confidentiality as it applies to community/organisation

Workplace policy and procedures for clinical practice

Correct usage of clinical equipment

Correct disposal techniques for wastes/sharps as per workplace policies and procedures