Medication training and competency assessment
5.1 Staff may not assist with medication until the council has assured itself that they have completed relevant training and are competent to administer medication.
5.2 The council will provide such initial medication training as is required at service entry. This will include familiarisation with procedures and recording requirements specific to the staff member’s workplace. We will provide annual refresher training and may provide training at other times.
5.3 The council will assess medication competency after initial training / at service entry and will re-assess competency at least once each year. We may re-assess competency at other times, for example during general quality control activities or in response to a medication or other audit or to a medication error or incident. Practical skills will be assessed under supervision in the staff member’s workplace.
5.4 The council will make reasonable adjustments to enable staff who are legitimately away from the workplace for an extended period (for example because they are on parental leave or extended sick leave) to meet ongoing training and competency requirements.
5.5 Each service must maintain an up to date list of the names, signatures and initials of staff assessed as competent to manage and administer medicines.
Medication which trained and competent staff may assist with
5.6 Staff may only assist with medication tasks within the range of their training and competency. In general, this means providing support with:
- taking tablets, capsules and oral mixtures
- inserting ear, nose and eye drops
- using inhalers
- applying a medicated cream or ointment
These may be prescribed medications or over the counter products.
5.7 Registered managers/care managers may consider requests for assistance with other medication tasks, for example administration of oxygen or emergency medication. Managers will consider requests on a case by case basis taking into account all relevant circumstances. Approval will be contingent upon an assessment of risk and the availability of initial and ongoing training from, and competency assessment by, a relevant health professional.
5.8 Prescribed medications are prescribed by a health professional. They are usually prescribed to be taken at a specific dose at specific times or intervals. They may also be prescribed to be taken:
- at doses which depend on blood test results, i.e. the prescriber may alter the dose following a blood test. These medications are referred to throughout this policy as ‘variable dose medications’
- as and when they are required, for example to relieve pain or reduce hay fever symptoms rather than at specific times or intervals. These medications are referred to throughout this policy as ‘as and when required medications’
5.9 Certain prescribed medications are subject to legal requirements because of their potential for misuse. These medications are known as controlled drugs. Please see section 15 Controlled Drugs for details.
5.10 Over the counter products can be purchased without a prescription in pharmacies, supermarkets, natural health shops and other shops. They include common treatments (such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies), vitamins, food supplements, homeopathic, herbal and other remedies. These products can cause adverse reactions or interact with prescribed medication and cause side effects.
