Medication Competency

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Medication Competency

Knowledge Workbook

(Version 2 September 2015)

This book belongs to:

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Commenced on:

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Welcome to the Medication Competency Workbook. This book is designed to help you to demonstrate the underpinning knowledge requirements to safely administer medicines to the individuals you support.

The book is in two parts and relates to the two medication units listed below. Working through this book will provide you with evidence that you have the required knowledge for the following units. You will need to repeat this every three years after you have attended your medication administration refresher course:

HSC 3047 Support use of medicines in social care settings
ASM 34 Administer medication to individuals, monitor the effects

You are required to work through this book, undertake the research, answer the questions, and complete the tasks. During this process, you can present this to your manager during supervision and appraisal, so that your manager can monitor your progress and offer you any advice or support necessary to help you within your job.

The workbook is also linked to the Medication Competency Framework (performance), which lists all of the tasks you will need to demonstrate before you administer medication to your service users. You will be required to undertake a medication competency assessment against the criteria set down in performance framework, which then needs to be repeated at least annually. The assessment is a demonstration of your practical skills.

You will also be required to answer some questions during or after the practical assessment, so your assessor can be certain you not only have the skills to administer medication, but also have the right attitude and the knowledge to support your role.

I hope you enjoy gathering your evidence and wish you the very best.

Kerry Connelly

Right from the beginning, and each time you administer medication, you need to remember and always work to

‘The 6 Rights’

See if you can remember them from your medication training

Right …………………………………………………………………

Right …………………………………………………………………

Right …………………………………………………………………

Right …………………………………………………………………

Right …………………………………………………………………

Right …………………………………………………………………

Throughout this workbook you will find references to medication units HSC 3047 and ASM 34. These references will make it easier for your assessor to find the relevant knowledge evidence if you decide to complete these as Diploma units.

Answer the questions and complete the tasks contained in the workbook

HSC 3047.1.1 Identify legislation that governs the use of medication in social care settings

ASM 34. 1.1 Identify current legislation, guidelines policies and protocols relevant to the administration of medication

Question:Where is your organisations medication policy kept?
Task:Identify four pieces of legislation that govern medication use and the administration of medicines in a social care setting. Use the table below to record your answers giving a brief description of each
Name of Legislation / Brief description
1.
2.
3.
4.
HSC 3047.1.3 Explain how and why policies and procedures or agreed ways of working must reflect and incorporate legislative requirements
Question:Explain how and why your organisations policies, procedures or agreed ways of working, must reflect legislative requirements:
HSC 3047.1.2 Outline the legal classification system for medication
Task: Refer back to your medication training, and in the grid below record the legal classifications for medication, three medicines from each category and where the medicines can be obtained/purchased
Legal Classifications / Name of medication / Where to obtain/purchase the medication
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
HSC 3047.2.1 Identify common types of medication
ASM 34.2.1 Describe common types of medication including their effects and potential side effects
HSC 3047. 2.2 List conditions for which each type of medication may be prescribed
HSC 3047.2.3 Describe changes to an individual’s physical or mental well-being that may indicate an adverse reaction to a medication
Task: List fivemedicines that are common in your workplace / Task: Describe why the five medicines have been prescribed / Task: For each of the five medicines describe how you would recognise if there was a side effect or adverse reaction
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ASM 34.2.3 Describe the common adverse reactions to medication, how each can be recognised and the appropriate action(s) required

Question: Describe the action you would take if you were concerned about a side effect or adverse reaction to a medication
Task: Have you noticed any side effects/adverse reactions that are common to a number of medicines? List at least four below
1. / 2.
3. / 4.

ASM 34.2.2 Identify medication which demand the measurement of specific physiological measurements.

Task: Identify 2 medicines that demand the measurement of specific physiological measurementse.g. an example might be insulin
Medication / Specific measurement required / Reason for this measurement
1.
2.
HSC 3047.3.1 describe the roles and responsibilities of those involved in prescribing, dispensing and supporting use of medication
Task: There is a section in the medication policy, which specifies the roles and responsibilities of different professionals involved in the medication process. Read this section and record at least one point from each section that makes it clear you understand the difference in responsibilities
1.
2.
3.
4.
Add the page number from the policy where it was found here………………..
Task: Provide a step by step guide that shows you understand the process involved in prescribing, dispensing and administering medication using the Medication Administration Record (MAR Chart).
Begin with the visit to the GP and Include who is responsible for each step

HSC 3047.3.2 explain where responsibilities lie in relation to use of ‘over the counter’ remedies and supplements.

Questions: There is a reference in the medication policy that relates to ‘over the counter’ remedies. Find this section and answer the following questions:

Name at least 3 ‘over the counter’ medicines or alternative therapies





Can support staff purchase ‘over the counter’ medicines or alternative therapies if requested by the service user? Describe the process they need to go through

Who would be able to advise the support worker about which medicines to purchase?

Can support workers administer ‘over the counter’ medicines or alternative therapies?

The policy says an exception can be made in very exceptional circumstances. What does this mean, and who would be able to make this decision?

HSC 3047. 4.1 describe the routes by which medication can be administered
ASM 34.2.4 Explain the different routes of medicine administration
Task: Refer back to your medication training notes, identify 5 routes to administer and complete the boxes below. This relates to medication administration
Describe the route toadminister / What level / What training will you need / Who can provide the training
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Task: From your medication training identify 2 high risk routes to administer and why this is the case, record these in the grid below
High risk routes / Reason
1.
2.
ASM 34. 4.2 Explain the appropriate timing of medication e.g. check that the individual has not taken any medication recently
Task:Explain how often medication should be administered including an example
Dose timing / How many hours apart / Example
od (once daily)
om (in the morning)
bd (twice a day)
tds (three times a day
qds (four times a day)
on (at night)
HC 3047. 4.2 describe different forms in which medication may be presented
Task:List at least six different forms of medication and how each should be administered e.g. dispersible - dissolve in water and swallow
Forms of medicine / How to prepare the medicine / Where to administer the medicine
Question: List 3 reasons that explain why it is important to have a good knowledge of different forms of medicines and what is available
HSC 3047.6.1 Explain the importance of the following principles in the use of medication
• consent
• self-medication or active participation
• dignity and privacy
• confidentiality
Questions: For all of the above points consider the questions below
1. Consent:
Explain three methods to gain consent to administer medication / 1.
2.
3.
When should you gain consent?
Why is it important to gain consent?
What is the procedure to take if the person refuses to take their medication?
2. Self-medication or active participation:
What level of support is this?
Why is it important to support independence and active participation
What documents need to be completed?
3. Dignity and privacy:
Provide 3 examples that show you understand the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect, and are aware of the importance of privacy / 1.
2.
3.
Provide 3 examples of when this could have or has gone wrong / 1.
2.
3.
4. Confidentiality:
Who can have access to the individuals medication records
Explain, using examples how you ensure the individuals confidentiality
How long should medication records be kept

HSC 3047.6.3 Describe how ethical issues that may arise over the use of medication can be addressed.

Task: Provide 3 examples of ethical issues that may arise related to medicines and how these can be addressed
Ethical issue / How it can be addressed
1.
2.
3.

HSC 3047.6.2 Explain how risk assessment can be used to promote an individual’s independence in managing medication

Task: Provide 2 examples of when a risk assessment has highlighted a problem, but the risks have been reduced and managed to promote independance
1.
2.

HSC 3047 4.3. Describe materials and equipment that can assist in administering medication

ASM 34.3.1 Explain the types, purpose and function of materials and equipment needed for the administration of medication via the different routes

Task: Identify four different devices available to aid independence and write a briefaccount that explains the points below
Device / Purpose / How it works / When might this be useful
1.
2.
3.
4.
administration charts
Task: List all of the important information found on a medication prescription, giving a brief explanation for each point you identify
Task: Explain what information from the prescription/pharmacy label should appear on the MAR Chart (Medication Administration Record)

ASM 34 3.2 Identify the required information from prescriptions / medication

ASM 34.5.3 Describe how to report any immediate problems with the administration

Task: Describe six problems that may occur when administering medication and who you would report this too
Problem / Who to report to
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

ASM 34. 5.5 Explain why it may be necessary to confirm that the individual actually takes the medication and does not pass the medication to others

Read the scenario below and consider how you could administer the medication safely
Scenario:James lives alone and has recently been assessed to receive a service from the provider you work for. You are informed that you need to administer his medicines three times each day and prepare his pain relief so that James can take it himself when he needs it. The pain relief is Morphine.
When you arrive and read the care notes you notice a reference to the risk assessment that also states it is low risk to prepare his pain relief, but you notice there is another person in the house that you have not met before who says she is a relative.
The relative reassures you James will definitely take the medicines if you leave them out, and she will personally check this because she will be staying for a few days, but you are concerned that this person is behaving in a strange way.
When you returnlater you find the pain relief is gone along with the whole supply of medicines, which is usually stored in the hall cabinet. You search but are unable to find it and James is complaining of being in extreme pain. James is reluctant to comment on who this relative is and gets distressed when you persist in asking him questions.
During your search you also notice other items are missing including money, some ornaments and electrical items.
Use this space to record your thoughts and consider what you should do:

ASM 34.5.7 Describe how to dispose of out of date and part-used medications in accordance with legal and organisational requirements

Task: Write a step by step guide to describe the procedure for the disposal of medicines, including any documentation you will need to get filled in, how to store the documentation and for how long

Well done you have reached the end of your workbook. I hope you have enjoyed working through this and have learned a great deal.

Manager’s feedback:

Signature: Date:

Learner’s comments:

Signature: Date of completion:

Version 2 September 2015

Written by: Kerry Connelly, Training Adviser, Workforce Development Team (Adults)

Contact details:

Tel: 01223 699314

Mobile: 07799470142