Core Units:

1. HLTHPS007 Administer and monitor medications

Elements:

1. Identify situations that are a potential risk to the safe administration of medications

• 1.1 Access and read information to enable identification of substance incompatibilities based on care plan and delegation

• 1.2 Identify environmental and time management issues that may impact on or contraindicate administration of medication

• 1.3 Report potential risks related to medication administration to delegating health professional

• 1.4 Confirm client identity and if any allergies exist

• 1.5 Identify drugs and poisons schedules and classifications as determined by law

• 1.6 Pro-actively identify any limitations in own capability in relation to undertaking delegated medication administration function and report to delegating health professional

2. Prepare for medication administration

• 2.1 Confirm delegating health professionals authority to proceed with delegation of medication administration according to organisation policies, guidelines and protocols and jurisdictional legislative and regulatory requirements

• 2.2 Clarify own role and limitations in providing assistance with medication administration with delegating health professional

• 2.3 Check that all equipment, including dose administration aids, are complete, ready for use, up to date and tamper free before proceeding

• 2.4 Follow infection control procedures

• 2.5 Confirm medication administration route and procedure

• 2.6 Confirm purpose and function of prescribed medications from care plans and delegating health professional

• 2.7 Accurately calculate medication dosages according to authorised documented request

• 2.8 Prepare medications according to delegated role and in line with legal and environmental guidelines

3. Identify and prepare the client for administration of medication

• 3.1 Greet and identify client according to organisation procedures and prepare for medication administration

• 3.2 Check client medication according to organisation guidelines and the delegation from the health professional

• 3.3 Accurately explain the administration procedure to the client

• 3.4 Prior to the administration of medication, check the client for any physical or behavioural changes that may indicate the need to report to delegating health professional

4. Administer medications within legal parameters

• 4.1 Administer medications as delegated within role responsibility

• 4.2 Administer medications according to "rights of medication", specific requirements from the form prescribed and in accordance with defined legislation, organisation procedures, professional standards and prescriber’s written instructions where available

• 4.3 Assist the client taking the medication as required and according to documented procedures and professional standards

• 4.4 Oversee and observe the client when taking medication and confirm ingestion or completion of administration

• 4.5 Dispose of all used and unused medication, containers, according to organisation procedures

• 4.6 Identify signs from client "when necessary" medications might be required, then inform delegating health practitioner and act in accordance with organisation’s policies, procedures, delegation and role responsibility

• 4.7 Record administration of medications according to organisation policy

• 4.8 Provide accurate information to clients and carers on medication administration, including possible side effects as per instructions of the delegating health professional

5. Monitor client response to administered medication

• 5.1 Identify possible acute and delayed adverse reactions to medications, respond within role responsibility and report to supervisor or health professional

• 5.2 Implement emergency response for identified acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility

• 5.3 Record and report response to emergency strategies

• 5.4 Identify signs of a client experiencing pain and report to health professional

• 5.5 Observe and record client response to pain relieving medication and report to health professional

6. Handle medication contingencies

• 6.1 Report medication refusal or incomplete ingestion to supervising health professional according to organisation’s procedures and protocols

• 6.2 Clearly identify contaminated or out of date medication and implement organisation’s procedures for safe and appropriate disposal

• 6.3 Observe and record changes in the client’s condition according to the organisation’s guidelines and report to supervisor and health professional

• 6.4 Record and report any inconsistencies according to delegation and organisation guidelines and procedures

7. Complete medication distribution and administration

• 7.1 Manage medication equipment and used containers according to infection control guidelines

• 7.2 Complete arrangements and procedures to replenish dose administration aids and supplies

• 7.3 Store medication charts, care plans and treatment sheets according to the organisation’s procedures

• 7.4 Complete medication storage procedures in compliance with legislation and own role responsibility

Prior to attending class, you will need to complete the pre-course quiz and download and read the Student Learning and Assessment Guide. The directions will be sent to you via email upon enrolment.

Please bring a printed and completed copy of the pre-course quiz to class.

Non-completion of the pre-course quiz will result in a non-pass.

These two activities are expected to take 8 hours to complete.

In class, theory and practical will take two 8 hour days. There is additional clinical placement required.

Students must have basic digital literacy skills to navigate online platforms, complete assessments, and access course materials.

A statement of attainment will only be issued to people undertaking this course who will successfully complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

Course content is available through our online student management system.

Hard copies of materials can be purchased.

To successfully complete this course, students will require the basic language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills to complete the training and its assessments:

• Learning: Absorb detailed information, remain calm, and make informed decisions to manage a critical situation until emergency services arrives.

• Reading: Read, acknowledge and understand detailed first aid guides, labels, or emergency instructions in a tense situation.

• Writing: Clearly document the situation accurately including steps taken during the first aid process.

• Oral communication: Explain what’s happening and pass on important information to emergency services or others assisting you.

• Numeracy: Use number format to monitor time, check patient’s vital signs such as breathing or pulse, and track how that person is responding.

• Digital Ability: The ability to use a mobile phone or similar device to read messages, follow online instructions, complete necessary online forms or access learning materials.