Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

HLTAHW037 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Support the safe use of medications

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency HLTAHW037 - Support the safe use of medications
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and 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.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Skills must be demonstrated working:

in a health service or centre

as part of a multidisciplinary primary health care team

with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.

In addition, simulations and scenarios must be used where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely. These are situations relating to emergency or unplanned procedures where assessment in these circumstances would be unsafe or is impractical.

Simulated assessment environments must simulate the real-life working environment where these skills and knowledge would be performed, with all the relevant equipment and resources of that working environment.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Assessment must be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in this unit of competency and who is:

an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker

or:

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

Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Elements define the essential outcomes.
       
Element: Determine client medication requirements
  • Consult client and/or significant others for medication history and allergies
  • Review relevant documentation
  • Identify options and contraindications of commonly used medications and discuss with prescriber and other relevant staff
  • Maintain appropriate records of client medication in line with organisation requirements
       
Element: Interpret and clarify orders and instructions for medication
  • Receive and correctly interpret written and verbal orders and instructions for medications
  • Identify potential drug interactions and refer to the authorised prescriber
  • Consult authorised practitioners and other senior health staff if required to clarify medication instructions
  • Check written and verbal medication instructions against published medicines’ information resources
  • Recognise special precautions and contraindications of use of particular medicines and refer to an appropriate person
       
Element: Support clients in their use of traditional and western medicines
  • Identify traditional/bush medicines commonly used in the local community
  • Support and promote the role of traditional healers and traditional/bush medicines as an adjunct to western medical treatment
  • Identify generic and brand names of medicines used commonly in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health practice, using reference sources as required
  • Provide information to clients on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects
  • Provide Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) and explain to clients as required
  • Support clients to question proposed medical treatments to clarify the purpose, action and any issues relating to medication
  • Obtain feedback from client to determine their understanding of information provided
  • Support clients, where appropriate, to obtain prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and other federal initiatives
       
Element: Deliver information to support clients in the use of medications
  • Deliver clear and accurate information to support the client’s Quality Use of Medicines in a confidential and culturally appropriate and safe manner
  • Check the client’s understanding of information provided and support the client to make decisions and further inquiries about medication use
  • Support clients to obtain access to benefit schemes and other supports as appropriate
  • Evaluate the impact of information on the individual client’s health through follow-up contact
  • Document all information provided about medications according to organisation procedures
       
Element: Provide advice about storage and transport of medication
  • Explain to client the importance of correct and secure storage of medication in the home or other locations, including keeping medication away from children
  • Advise clients of the correct way to handle medication, including cold chain transport for medication requiring refrigeration
  • Explain to clients the importance of only using in date and undamaged medication
  • Provide advice to clients to correctly transport, store and dispose of their medications
       
Element: Provide information and support to community
  • Communicate in a culturally appropriate and safe manner with community members to identify community or specific group requirements for medication information
  • Investigate generic medication information to be provided to support community or specific group needs
  • Identify and make use of culturally appropriate and safe ways to effectively provide information to community and specific groups about medication
  • Support individual members of community or specific groups to gain individual advice about specific medication issues
  • 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
       
Element: Support clients in their use of traditional and western medicines
  • Identify traditional/bush medicines commonly used in the local community
  • Support and promote the role of traditional healers and traditional/bush medicines as an adjunct to western medical treatment
  • Identify generic and brand names of medicines used commonly in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health practice, using reference sources as required
  • Provide information to clients on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects
  • Provide Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) and explain to clients as required
  • Support clients to question proposed medical treatments to clarify the purpose, action and any issues relating to medication
  • Obtain feedback from client to determine their understanding of information provided
  • Support clients, where appropriate, to obtain prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and other federal initiatives
       
Element: Deliver information to support clients in the use of medications
  • Deliver clear and accurate information to support the client’s Quality Use of Medicines in a confidential and culturally appropriate and safe manner
  • Check the client’s understanding of information provided and support the client to make decisions and further inquiries about medication use
  • Support clients to obtain access to benefit schemes and other supports as appropriate
  • Evaluate the impact of information on the individual client’s health through follow-up contact
  • Document all information provided about medications according to organisation procedures
       
Element: Provide advice about storage and transport of medication
  • Explain to client the importance of correct and secure storage of medication in the home or other locations, including keeping medication away from children
  • Advise clients of the correct way to handle medication, including cold chain transport for medication requiring refrigeration
  • Explain to clients the importance of only using in date and undamaged medication
  • Provide advice to clients to correctly transport, store and dispose of their medications
       
Element: Provide information and support to community
  • Communicate in a culturally appropriate and safe manner with community members to identify community or specific group requirements for medication information
  • Investigate generic medication information to be provided to support community or specific group needs
  • Identify and make use of culturally appropriate and safe ways to effectively provide information to community and specific groups about medication
  • Support individual members of community or specific groups to gain individual advice about specific medication issues
  • 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
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role.

There must be evidence that the candidate has:

provided clear and accurate information to support the safe use of medicines to least five individual clients. This includes:

- communicating effectively and in a culturally safe and appropriate manner to identify client information needs about medication, and providing information to meet those needs

- undertaking research and using various medication references and resources, such as MIMS, standing orders, guidelines and CMI in line with the Quality Use of Medicines framework and organisational requirements

- using published medication references and resources to:

o check written orders for medicines

o identify medicines by their generic and/or brand names

o note potential drug interactions

o identify special precautions and contraindications

o check terms and abbreviations commonly used in prescribing and administering medications

- confirming information to be provided to the client with relevant health professionals

- working within the scope and parameters of the work role as a member of a multidisciplinary team providing primary health care to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and community

- maintaining records and documentation in line with organisational requirements

provided clear and accurate information to support the local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait community, or a section of the community, in the use of medicines by on at least one occasion by:

- using culturally appropriate and safe communication to determine needs for medication information by a community or specific group

- researching and determining the information to be provided

- delivering information in a culturally appropriate and safe manner to a group of community members.

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 medications commonly used in daily role, and effects on the body

federal and state legislation relating to the control, labelling, storage and dispensing of drugs and medication

workplace health and safety issues

organisational policies and procedures relating to drugs and medications

schemes and programs to support access to medications, including the PBS and Close The Gap Initative

relevant services provided by Commonwealth, state and territory to support medication use

signs of anaphylaxis and appropriate management /referral

Quality Use of Medicines and the CMI

National medication access and review initiatives for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander people

special considerations in use of medicines, including:

- pregnancy and lactation

- renal failure

- anti-coagulant therapy

- potential drug interactions

- differences of medication impact on children and adults

types of locally available/used traditional bush medicines and their benefits.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
 
Consult client and/or significant others for medication history and allergies 
Review relevant documentation 
Identify options and contraindications of commonly used medications and discuss with prescriber and other relevant staff 
Maintain appropriate records of client medication in line with organisation requirements 
Receive and correctly interpret written and verbal orders and instructions for medications 
Identify potential drug interactions and refer to the authorised prescriber 
Consult authorised practitioners and other senior health staff if required to clarify medication instructions 
Check written and verbal medication instructions against published medicines’ information resources 
Recognise special precautions and contraindications of use of particular medicines and refer to an appropriate person 
Identify traditional/bush medicines commonly used in the local community 
Support and promote the role of traditional healers and traditional/bush medicines as an adjunct to western medical treatment 
Identify generic and brand names of medicines used commonly in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health practice, using reference sources as required 
Provide information to clients on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects 
Provide Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) and explain to clients as required 
Support clients to question proposed medical treatments to clarify the purpose, action and any issues relating to medication 
Obtain feedback from client to determine their understanding of information provided 
Support clients, where appropriate, to obtain prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and other federal initiatives 
Deliver clear and accurate information to support the client’s Quality Use of Medicines in a confidential and culturally appropriate and safe manner 
Check the client’s understanding of information provided and support the client to make decisions and further inquiries about medication use 
Support clients to obtain access to benefit schemes and other supports as appropriate 
Evaluate the impact of information on the individual client’s health through follow-up contact 
Document all information provided about medications according to organisation procedures 
Explain to client the importance of correct and secure storage of medication in the home or other locations, including keeping medication away from children 
Advise clients of the correct way to handle medication, including cold chain transport for medication requiring refrigeration 
Explain to clients the importance of only using in date and undamaged medication 
Provide advice to clients to correctly transport, store and dispose of their medications 
Communicate in a culturally appropriate and safe manner with community members to identify community or specific group requirements for medication information 
Investigate generic medication information to be provided to support community or specific group needs 
Identify and make use of culturally appropriate and safe ways to effectively provide information to community and specific groups about medication 
Support individual members of community or specific groups to gain individual advice about specific medication issues 
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 
Identify traditional/bush medicines commonly used in the local community 
Support and promote the role of traditional healers and traditional/bush medicines as an adjunct to western medical treatment 
Identify generic and brand names of medicines used commonly in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health practice, using reference sources as required 
Provide information to clients on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects 
Provide Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) and explain to clients as required 
Support clients to question proposed medical treatments to clarify the purpose, action and any issues relating to medication 
Obtain feedback from client to determine their understanding of information provided 
Support clients, where appropriate, to obtain prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and other federal initiatives 
Deliver clear and accurate information to support the client’s Quality Use of Medicines in a confidential and culturally appropriate and safe manner 
Check the client’s understanding of information provided and support the client to make decisions and further inquiries about medication use 
Support clients to obtain access to benefit schemes and other supports as appropriate 
Evaluate the impact of information on the individual client’s health through follow-up contact 
Document all information provided about medications according to organisation procedures 
Explain to client the importance of correct and secure storage of medication in the home or other locations, including keeping medication away from children 
Advise clients of the correct way to handle medication, including cold chain transport for medication requiring refrigeration 
Explain to clients the importance of only using in date and undamaged medication 
Provide advice to clients to correctly transport, store and dispose of their medications 
Communicate in a culturally appropriate and safe manner with community members to identify community or specific group requirements for medication information 
Investigate generic medication information to be provided to support community or specific group needs 
Identify and make use of culturally appropriate and safe ways to effectively provide information to community and specific groups about medication 
Support individual members of community or specific groups to gain individual advice about specific medication issues 
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 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTAHW037 - Support the safe use of medications
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

HLTAHW037 - Support the safe use of medications

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: