ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine medication requirements

1.1 Compile a detailed medication history in line with organisational policies and procedures

1.2 Correctly interpret written medicines orders in consultation with medical practitioners and other senior health staff as required

1.3 Apply accurate calculations and measures in the use of medicines

2. Educate clients in use of medicines

2.1 Identify varieties of traditional/bush medicines commonly used in the local community

2.2 Promote the role of traditional healers and use of traditional/bush medicines consistent with local beliefs and practices as an adjunct to western medical treatment

2.3 Provide clients with plain language information based on interpretation of appropriate reference sources relating to mechanisms of action, dosing and common side effects of commonly used medicines

2.4 Obtain feedback from client to determine their understanding of information provided

2.5 Teach clients as required how to swallow tablets and capsules and how to correctly use metered dose aerosol inhalers and spacer devices

2.6 Provide clients with information about obtaining prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

3. Administer medications safely and manage reactions

3.1 Administer medications by appropriate methods observing universal precautions and in line with organisation, legal and regulatory requirements

3.2 Identify potential drug interactions and refer to a medical practitioner

3.3 Recognise special precautions and contraindications in the use of particular medicines and refer to a medical practitioner

3.4 Safely give intramuscular injections (deltoid, lateral thigh and gluteal) and subcutaneous injections

3.5 Correctly measure out and administer medicine for nebulised inhalation using an electronic nebuliser

3.6 Identify signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and manage according to standard protocols

3.7 Label medicines in accordance with statutory requirements

3.8 Undertake administration of medicines according to organisational policies and procedures and the appropriate legal and regulatory framework

3.9 Fully document administration of medicines and maintain records in line with organisation and legal and regulatory requirements

4. Manage administration of chronic medicines

4.1 Maintain accurate records of chronic medicines administration

4.2 Establish and maintain systems for managing chronic medication administration within the clinic in consultation with the health team

4.3 Refer individual chronic medication regimens for regular review by a medical practitioner

4.4 Involve pharmacists in chronic medication management including, where appropriate, medication reviews or use of Webster-packs

4.5 Check doses of medicine made up by other health staff for accuracy, including dose, indication and consideration of contraindications

4.6 Support and instruct other health workers in the safe and efficacious use of medicines

4.7 Monitor appropriate use of medicines by other health staff

5. Initiate therapy using standard treatment manuals

5.1 Initiate assessment and treatment using standard treatment manuals as used in the workplace

5.2 Consult a medical practitioner in accordance with standard treatment manuals and organisational policies and procedures

5.3 Dispense medicines according to organisational policies and procedures and the appropriate legal and regulatory framework

5.4 Document clinical assessments, any advice sought and therapy initiated in client medical files

6. Manage the ordering, transportation, storage and disposal of medicines

6.1 Ensure medicines stocks are ordered, securely stored and used in accordance with poisons licence conditions and in keeping with the legislative and regulatory framework

6.2 Establish working relationships with local medical practitioners and pharmacists to support management of clinic medicines stores

6.3 Monitor patterns of medicines use and use this information to inform reorder quantities and ensure minimum stock holdings

6.4 Ensure clinic medicines stocks are checked regularly and re-ordered in appropriate quantities

6.5 Source medicines supplies as locally appropriate

6.6 Add new stock and dispose of out-of-date stock according to organisational policies and procedures

6.7 Organise clinic medicines stock logically and securely, with access to clinic medicines store monitored and restricted to authorised personnel

6.8 Correctly apply cold chain transport for medication requiring refrigeration