Google links for CHCCS424B - Administer and monitor medications

Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills



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 These include Clear understanding of principles practices and regulatory framework underpinning delegation and supervision accountability and responsibility Basic understanding of medication groups and categories and their effect on body systems and major disorders including central nervous system musculoskeletal system peripheral nervous system endocrine system cardiovascular system respiratory system gastrointestinal system urinary system reproductive systems immune system integumentary system eye ear and special senses microorganisms neoplastic disease Principles of safe medication administration and consequences of incorrect use of medication main reasons for errors in medication administration Cross infection and prevention strategies including correct hand washing techniques glove usage and awareness of how infection is spread Basic understanding of major factors that affect the action of drugs including age disease processes nutrition and hydration Measurement and calculation requirements for medication administration Relevant medicalmedication terminology Commonly accepted medication abbreviations Basic knowledge of commonly used medications Basic pharmacology of medications including pharmacodynamics pharmacokinetics pharmacotherapeutics toxicology Forms of medication modes and routes for medication delivery Legal requirements of each route of administration Procedures for medication administration routes listed in the Range Statement How and when to use the equipment listed in the Range Statement Roles within the health care team in the administration of medications Role in medical emergency Basic understanding and knowledge of substance incompatibilities and contraindications such as warfarin and aspirin medication and diet medication and sunlight Basic understanding of anaphylactic reactions side effects precautions Basic understanding of complementary therapies Legal requirements for practice parameters including Poisons Act Poison Schedules SDs and Ss Relevant workplace health and safety policies to ensure safe practice including management of sharps potential hazards in a health environment chemical use in cleaning and sanitising in relation to medication residue in containers Appropriate storage of medications Methods of storage handling and usage of medications Organisation procedures for the documentation of medication and the use of medication charts


Essential skills It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to Read and accurately interpret delegated medication responsibilities from the care plan or other written instructions Ensure all work is in accordance with supervisor and health professionals instructions Accurately observe report and record discrepancies in medications instructions andor client Observe and record changes in the clients condition as listed in the Range Statement during and after medication administration and report to supervisor and health professional Provide administration of medications according to the specific delegation and in compliance with legal and organisation policies and procedures including principles of best practice relating to following medication label andor instructions work health and safety WHS infection control including correct hand washing managing and reporting contingencies as they arise applying standard and additional precautions in infection control correct documentation of medication administered Demonstrate the following skills correctly including specific levels of literacy and numeracy and physical capabilities required read and correctly interpret care plan or other written instruction from supervisor or health professional for administration requirements for medications use dose administration aids observe report and record discrepancies in medications instructions andor client report any obvious changes in clients condition as listed in the Range Statement before during and after selfmedication to a supervisor and or health professional so remedial action can be taken Negotiate the physical assistance that can be provided Use equipment listed in the Range Statement effectively and appropriately Distribute medications in a timely appropriate and effective way to clients with differing needs and according to form of medication Apply language literacy and numeracy required for drug calculation administration and documentation of medications Demonstrate correct preparation administration and recording of medications via delegated routes within the range identified in the Range Statement Correctly administer and support selfadministration of insulin by subcutaneous injection using preloaded syringes or pens Skills and knowledge to conduct BSL monitoring including knowledge of the acceptable and safe range of results for an individual client and operating in accordance with organisations policy and practice and seeking advice and assessment of the health professional when results are outside the acceptable and safe range before administering insulin by subcutaneous injection It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to Undertake basic calculations for oral administration of tablets Safely measure liquids according to directions 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 These include the ability to Respond within job role in an emergency situation where a client is experiencing an adverse medication reaction Oral communication skills required to fulfill job role including interviewing skills questioning active listening seeking clarification

Evidence Required

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 andor 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

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 andor formalinformal 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

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

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CHCCS424B - Administer and monitor medications

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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Evidence Required

Range Statement