This unit of competency is applicable to Australian Defence Force (ADF) Health Care Providers

Health care providers may initiate medication administration based on their own level of prescribing authority

This is limited to administering medications within defined clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols

All other administration is based on a medication order

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare client for medication administration

1.1 Check client details against the medication order to confirm correct client identification

1.2 Explain administration clearly and simply to the client

1.3 Gain informed consent from client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures

1.4 Check client for known allergies to medication

1.5 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns

1.5 Assure and maintain confidentiality of client information

2. Prepare medication for administration

2.1 Check medication order to ensure it is correctly authorised and provides the complete information required to proceed with the administration

2.2 Record and cross check verbal medication orders in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures

2.3 Assess environment for suitability to perform medication administration

2.4 Assemble equipment and consumables for administration

2.5 Select medication, ensuring it complies with the medication order

2.6 Check medication to ensure it is current and within its expiry date

2.7 Prepare medication to ensure it is ready for administration in the correct dose and route of administration as authorised in the medication order

3. Perform medication administrations

3.1 Use personal protective equipment as required

3.2 Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures

3.3 Check medication in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policy/ procedures, including checking by co workers or supervisor for correctness

3.4 Administer medication by the defined route of administration as authorised in the medication order and in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policy/ procedures

3.5 Recognise unsuccessful administrations and seek referral/assistance

3.6 Report medication errors and record immediately upon realisation that an error has been detected

3.7 Record administration in a manner that is easily interpreted by others and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures

3.8 Monitor client for expected outcomes and adverse effects

3.9 Rectify or seek assistance for adverse effects

4. Clean and store equipment

4.1 Clean and/or dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers' requirements and infection control policy

4.2 Store equipment and consumables in accordance with organisation policy and procedures

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:

Administering medications by defined routes of administration

Basic pharmacology including sources of drugs and the classification of drugs into therapeutic groups and basic pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Converting drug measurements and calculating a medication dosage

Factors affecting medication administration

Governance requirements for medication administration

Medication labelling including interpreting chemical, trade and generic drug names

Relevant abbreviations and symbols regarding medication orders

Relevant anatomy and physiology to enable administration to be accurate and of minimum risk to clients

Roles and responsibilities of health care providers

Sources of information to identify medication composition, presentation, action, indication, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, and standards for dosage and administration

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Communicate effectively with client and others regarding the administration of medication whilst maintaining confidentiality

Convert drug measurements and correctly calculate a medication dosage

Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to medication administration

Identify adverse reactions and rectify or seek assistance as appropriate

Administer medications to the correct client, at the correct time and frequency, in the correct dose, by the correct route of administration, with the correct medication and with an authorised medication order

Administer medications by defined routes must include the following methods:

intramuscular injection

subcutaneous injection

oral

rectal

sublingual or buccal

topical

transdermal

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

This includes the ability to:

Ask questions

Clarify workplace instructions when necessary

Deal with conflict

Interpret data

Listen to and implement workplace instructions

Operate equipment correctly and in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

Read and document clinical information

Record accurate relevant information

Relate to a range of people from a range of cultural, linguistic, social and ethnic backgrounds, and a range of physical and intellectual abilities

Use available resources and plan daily work routine

Work with others and display empathy with clients and carers

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 competency unit:

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 work

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

Resource implications

Assessment requires access to:

appropriate equipment

scenarios that reflect a range of medication administrations that may be expected in the workplace

relevant organisation policy, guidelines, and treatment protocols

relevant legislative and regulatory documents

manufacturers' specifications for the use and storage of equipment

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of medication administrations that could be expected in the workplace

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity 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 health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of 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 health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units:

This unit may be assessed independently, but holistic assessment with other clinical units is encouraged

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.

Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:

ADF Nursing Procedure Manual

ADF treatment protocols

Clinical standards (state and national)

Industry professional bodies standards

Industry standards (state and national)

Organisation policy directives

Privacy Act

Relevant Australian standards

Medication order includes:

An order received either in a written form or verbally, by an appropriately authorised person that:

identifies the person requiring the medication

identifies the medication to be administered

details the time and frequency of the medication

identifies the dosage and route of administration

Confidentiality of client information may be insured by:

Adherence to Privacy Act

Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position

Legal and ethical requirements

Secure location for written records

Treatment room with privacy

Environment assessment may include:

Adequate lighting

Health care practitioner's specified needs

Suitable climate

Suitable client privacy

Equipment and consumables may include:

Antiseptic skin wipes

Cotton tips

Disposable calibrated dispensing cup

Drinking water

Hypodermic needles

Medication

Medication spatula

Medication tray or trolley

Personal protective equipment

Syringe

Prepared medication may include:

Calculating dosage to be given

Converting drug measurements

Opening medication and consumable packaging

Preparing the medication for administration by the defined route which may include:

dispensing into a measuring cup

drawing up into a syringe

diluting medication to the required dosage

mixing one medication with another

Route of administration may include:

Intramuscular injection

Subcutaneous injection

Oral

Rectal

Sublingual or buccal

Topical

Transdermal

Vaginal

Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:

Australian and State standards and legislation

Industry standards

Organisation procedures

Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures

Direct instructions from supervisor

Medication errors may include:

Administration to the incorrect client

Administration at the wrong time and frequency

Administration in an incorrect dose

Administration by the wrong route of administration

Administration of the wrong medication

This unit contains Employability Skills