Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:44 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Administer and monitor medications

Administer and monitor medications

Unit of competency
National Code
CHCCS424A
State Code
D2344
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/03/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/11/2009
Field of Education
060307 - Community Nursing
Original Release Date
12/11/2009
Nominal Hours
45
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to responsibly administer and monitor prescribed medications to a person with stable health conditions in a range of settings under delegation from a health professional in accordance with legislation and the organisation's medication and delegation policies and practiceThis unit is available only as part of a qualification at Certificate IV level and above or as part of the High support and complex care skill set which is available to those holding a Certificate IV qualification
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify situations that pose a potential risk to the safe administration of medications
  • 1.1 Based on care plan and/or delegation, access information to enable identification of substance incompatibilities
  • 1.2 Identify environmental and/or practice issues that may impact on or contraindicate administration of medication in specific situations
  • 1.3 Report potential risks related to medication administration to supervisor or 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 Identify any limitations on own capability in relation to undertaking delegated medication administration function and report to delegating health professional
2. Prepare for medication administration within a variety of settings
  • 2.1 Establish authority to assist with medication administration in line with organisation policies, guidelines and protocols and jurisdictional legislative and regulatory requirements
  • 2.2 Clarify role in providing assistance with medication administration in line with delegation
  • 2.3 Confirm that all dose administration aids are complete, ready for use and up to date
  • 2.4 Implement personal hygiene procedures according to organisation policy and procedure to ensure cross infection is minimised
  • 2.5 Ensure practice is at all times consistent with policies, procedures and delegations in order to fulfil duty of care requirements
  • 2.6 Gather equipment required for medication administration
  • 2.7 Confirm medication administration route and associated terminology and procedures for medication administration
  • 2.8 Identify from the care plan the purpose and function of prescribed medications for administration
  • 2.9 Report environmental and/or practice issues that may impact on or contraindicate administration of medication in specific situations and seek direction from supervisor or health professional
  • 2.10 Accurately measure and/or calculate dosages for administration of medication
  • 2.11 Prepare medications according to delegated role and in line with legal and environmental guidelines
  • 2.12 Demonstrate medication administration techniques and precautions specific to each client as per delegation
3. Identify and prepare the client for administration of medication
  • 3.1 Identify the client, including clients who self administer, according to organisation procedures and delegation
  • 3.2 Greet correctly identified client and prepare for medication administration
  • 3.3 Check client medication according to organisation guidelines and delegation
  • 3.4 Inform the client of the administration procedure
  • 3.5 Prior to administration, check the client for any physical or behavioural changes that may indicate the need to report to delegating health professional, according to organisation policies and procedures
4. Administer required medications within legal parameters
  • 4.1 Administer medications as delegated within role responsibility according to the law and environment policy
  • 4.2 Prepare and administer medications according to specific requirements of the form of medication, in strict accordance with defined legislation and organisation procedures, according to delegation and in line with prescriber's written instructions where available
  • 4.3 Implement all checks to ensure the right medication is given at the right time, to the right person, in the right amount, via the right route, in the right form
  • 4.4 Assist the client taking the medication as required and according to documented procedures
  • 4.5 Supervise and observe the client when taking medication and confirm ingestion or completion
  • 4.6 Dispose of all used and unused medication, containers, needles and syringes in line with organisation procedures
  • 4.7 Identify signs that PRN medications may be required, review care plan and written instructions and act in accordance with organisation's policies, procedures and role responsibility, in line with delegation
5. Monitor client response to administered medication
  • 5.1 Record administration of medications according to organisation policy
  • 5.2 Contribute to information provided to clients and carers on medication administration, including possible side effects
  • 5.3 Identify apparent acute and delayed adverse reactions to medications, respond within role responsibility and report to supervisor or health professional
  • 5.4 Implement emergency response for identified acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility
  • 5.5 Record and report response to emergency strategies
  • 5.6 Identify signs of a client experiencing pain and report to supervisor or health professional
  • 5.7 Observe and record client response to pain relieving medication and report to supervisor or health professional
6. Comply with the organisation's procedures for handling the range of issues/contingencies which may arise
  • 6.1 Report to supervisor and health professional client refusal to take medication or incomplete ingestion according to organisation's procedures and protocols
  • 6.2 Identify contaminated or out of date medication
  • 6.3 Implement organisation procedures for disposal of contaminated or out of date medication
  • 6.4 Observe and record changes in the client's condition according to the organisation's guidelines and report to supervisor and health professional
  • 6.5 Record and report any inconsistency (e.g. with the medication, the time or the client) according to the delegation
  • 6.6 Document inconsistencies and address according to the organisation's guidelines and procedures
7. Complete medication distribution and administration
  • 7.1 Manage the trolley, or other medication container and used medication containers according to industry and the organisation's infection control guidelines
  • 7.2 Complete arrangements and procedures to replenish dose administration aids and supplies
  • 7.3 Store medication charts according to the organisation's procedures to ensure safety, security and confidentiality
  • 7.4 Complete medication storage procedures to maximise security, prevent medication deterioration and in compliance with legislation
RANGE STATEMENT

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.


Potential risk may include but is not limited to:
Client identification
Allergic reactions
Immunisation status
Medication incompatibilities


Delegation refers to:
Conferring of authority to perform specific medication administration activities to a worker not usually authorised but who has been determined as appropriate for the task by the delegating health professional
Delegation is within the context of a care plan or other written instruction
Where delegation is provided verbally it must be confirmed as soon as practicable according to organisation procedures in writing and incorporated in the care plan
The authority is specific to an individual client within a specific care context and is not transferable
Delegation instructions must include:
medication and its purpose
medication form and instructions e.g. enteric coated - do not crush
dosage and related instructions
route
contra-indications
any other relevant instructions or information, especially information specific to the client


Supervision refers to:
Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position
Supervision may be conducted by various means including:
in person
through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary
Supervision level, form and frequency must be established by the delegating health professional for all work delegated to another worker
Frequency and form of supervision will be determined by factors such as:
the task maturity of the person being supervised
the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans
The need to correct and develop non-clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team


Health professional includes:
Registered nurses
Medical practitioners
Pharmacist
Complementary medicine therapist (for delegation within legislative requirements, specific to their area of expertise where included in the care plan)
Dentist


Settings may include:
Aged care residential
Client's home
Group home
Respite service


Dose administration aids may include:
Blister packs - single dose packs and multi-dose packs


Equipment required may include:
Aprons
Container for dirty spoons/dishes
Medication charts/sheets
Gloves
Key to medication trolley/medication cupboard
Lubricant
Measuring cups
Measuring spoon
Mortar and pestle
Nebuliser/spacer
Oxygen cylinder
Oxygen mask/nasal prongs
Pre-loaded dose administration aids for insulin
Paper towels/tissues
Tablet divider
Tea towel
Tumblers
Water pitcher


Medication administration routes include:
Aural
Insulin by sub-cutaneous injection using pre-loaded syringes or pens
Intranasal
Ocular
Oral
Rectal
Topical (including transdermal)
Vaginal administration


Measure and/or calculate dosages includes:
100% accurate measurement and/or calculation of medication required as per written delegation and/or prescription, including:
measurement of liquid medications into measuring cup or spoon
calculation of medication mixtures and solutions
use of standard formulae to calculate the number or fraction of tablets to be administered to equate to required dose
calculation of the number or fraction of tablets to equate to identified weight


Prepare medications may include:
Dispensing tablets from dose administration aids into medicine cup
Measuring liquid medications into measuring cup/spoon
Dissolving powder in water
Placing medication in nebuliser/spacer
Use of lubricant


Medication administration techniques may include, for example:
Techniques to assist clients with difficulties swallowing
Techniques to assist clients with specific disabilities
Techniques for managing behaviours of concern


Prepare for medication administration may include:
Discussing procedures with client
Encouraging client participation
Adjusting posture and positioning client
Seeking assistance from other staff
Providing privacy
Exposure to treatment area


Check client medication may include:
Checking medication is free from contamination
Checking that medication, time and resident/client correlate with documentation
Checking dose administration aids for evidence of tampering


Physical or behavioural changes observed in condition of the client that must be immediately reported to a supervisor or health professional may include, but are not limited to:
Changes to airway (e.g. choking), breathing (including slowed, fast or absent breathing, colour changes) or circulation (including unexpected drowsiness, colour change and absence of pulse)
Rash
Inflammation or redness
Swelling
Headache
Skin tone
Feelings of dizziness
Slurring of speech
Nausea and vomiting
Blurred vision
Confusion
Changes in behaviour
Anything that appears abnormal about the resident/client
Others as advised by a doctor or health professional


The form of medication may include:
Capsules
Ear drops
Eye drops
Inhalants
Liquid
Lotion and cream
Nose drops
Patches
Pessaries
Powder
Pre-loaded syringes or pens
Suppositories
Tablets
Wafers


All checks include:
Checking medication against the requirements
Checking client details
Checking the chart
Checking for authorisation
Checking specific delegation


Incomplete ingestion includes:
Inability or difficulties in swallowing whole or divided tablets
Ejection of medication
Vomiting
Refusal to take medications


Document inconsistencies may include:
Incident reports
Medical charts
Progress notes


Drug storage procedures include:
Acting in accordance with defined job role
Locking and storing medications according to organisation policy and procedure


Required medications may include:
Medications prescribed for client by doctor or health professional and dispensed by pharmacist in dose administration aids
PRN medications as prescribed (and identified in medication chart/sheet and/or care plan) according to relevant legislation, organisation guidelines and delegations


Client identification may include:
Referral to forms of identification such as photographs, wristbands
Recognition by response
Confirmation from nursing/care staff


References may include:
MIMS annual or drug reference guide
Drugs hotline/drug information line


Industry guidelines may include:
Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council Integrated best practice model for medication management in residential aged care facilities
State and territory health department legislation, policies and guidelines
Organisation policies and procedures
Internal facility medication audits
EVIDENCE GUIDE

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 unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit must be assessed in the workplace under the normal range of work conditions
Assessment must be conducted on more than one occasion to cover a variety of circumstances
Assessment must reflect actual delegation from a health professional
Development of assessment tools and methods may include the input of a health professional


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights 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 issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on 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 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all the relevant resources commonly provided in the residential care service setting
Specific tools may include:
medication charts and documentation
medications and equipment
relevant policies and procedures manuals
other documentation relevant to the work context such as:. organisation charts. floor plans. instructions for the use of equipment. specific medication administration instructions . client care plan. relevant guidelines and legislation
relevant equipment and cleaning agents currently used in the workplace


Method of assessment:
Assessment will include:
Observation of work performance
Supporting statement of supervisor or health professional
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to achieve required infection control outcomes in specific work environments and communities
Written assessment of functional English language, literacy and numeracy skills appropriate to the level of responsibility of the care worker
Annual reconfirmation of the essential knowledge and competency by the employer within a performance management framework is mandatory
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
wc855 CHCCS424B Administer and monitor medications Unit of competency
No information