The skills and knowledge addressed in this competency unit must be applied strictly in line with relevant State/Territory legislative and regulatory requirements

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Maintain medication stocks

1.1 Conduct an inventory of medications and order medications as required in line with instructions from medical practitioner

1.2 Store medications according to manufacturers' recommendations

1.3 Take appropriate action to ensure medications beyond expiry date are not used, in line with practice guidelines

1.4 Dispose of medications in accordance with regulatory requirements

1.5 Monitor and maintain cold chain

1.6 Monitor and update medication stock in the health care practitioner's bag(s) in line with instructions from health care practitioner

2. Maintain documentation as per legislative requirements and practice protocols

2.1 Document medications administered accurately and promptly in client record as required under supervision of health care practitioner

2.2 Maintain practice log books of medications as per legislative requirements

2.3 Maintain accurate documentation of cold chain management

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:

Basic pharmacology, including major medication categories

Emergency medical procedures

Infection control and standard precautions (as in unit HLTIN301A : Comply with infection control policies and procedures in health work)

Medication-related matters, including:

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

dosage administration aids

medical terminology

Medication Action Plans

Occupational health and safety principles

Practice protocols

Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice, including:

APAC Guiding Principles to Achieve Continuity in Medication Management

immunisation schedules

organisation policies, procedures and protocols relating to medical assisting work

RACGP Standards for General Practices

Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons

various state health acts and regulations; drugs, poisons and controlled substances acts and regulations

Scope of own medical assisting role

Waste management

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

Interact appropriately with members of the health care team as well as clients from a range of social, cultural and religious backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

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

Use medical equipment safely and correctly

Use literacy skills to:

accurately interpret procedures and policies

document information appropriately in medical records.

Use language skills to:

relay information

use appropriate medical terminology and grammar

Use communication skills to:

provide information clearly

receive and provide constructive feedback

understand complex instructions and take appropriate action in timely manner

Use numeracy skills required to accurately take inventory

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 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

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 should be assessed holistically with other medical assisting units of competency

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 care practitioner is:

Registered Nurse

Medical practitioner/doctor/specialist

Inventory may include medications:

In doctor's bag

In vaccine fridge

In drug cupboards

Pharmaceutical company samples

Emergency equipment and supplies may include:

Crash cart

Defibrillator

Oxygen tank with mask or nasal prongs

Laryngoscope

Endotracheal tubes

Ambu-bag

Emergency medications

IV equipment and fluids

ECG

Syringes and needles

Nebuliser

Instructions may include:

Verbal

Practice Protocols

Written

By phone

Via electronic means

Documentation may include:

Recording information under supervision of the health care practitioner, in client's computerised or physical medical record, immunisations record/card, babybook, etc, including:

date and time of administration

procedure performed

administered by

consent obtained

name of medication

medication strength and form

batch and/or lot number

expiry date

dosage given

details of administration method

site of administration

any adverse reactions

medical assistant's signature, name or initials

This unit contains Employability Skills