Courses · Complex Care
Administering Oral Medication
Give oral medication safely: the rights of administration, dose forms that must never be crushed, swallowing difficulties, refusal, and what to do when something goes wrong.
About this certificate
This is a non-accredited module and the Certificate of Completion is not a Statement of Attainment. It supports — but does not replace — your employer's medication management policy, competency assessment and sign-off. You may only assist with medication in the ways your employer authorises, within the scope described in the participant's plan, and in line with state or territory medicines legislation. If your organisation requires practical assessment before you administer medication, complete that as well.
About this module
Oral medication is the most common support task in disability services and the most common source of medication error. This module covers the rights of administration, reading a medication chart and a dose administration aid, tablets and capsules that must never be crushed or opened, liquids and measuring accurately, supporting a person who has difficulty swallowing, refusal and the line between persuasion and covert administration, PRN medication, and exactly what to do when a dose is missed, given twice, or vomited.
Who it is for
Support workers, SIL and group home staff, day program staff and anyone who assists a participant with oral medication under a provider medication policy.
What you will be able to do
- Apply the rights of medication administration every time
- Read a medication chart and a dose administration aid accurately
- Identify dose forms that must never be crushed, split or opened
- Support a participant with swallowing difficulties safely
- Respond correctly to refusal, PRN requests, missed doses and errors
Aligned to
- NDIS Practice Standards — Management of Medication
- NDIS Practice Standards — Provision of Supports
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Medication Safety Standard
- Relevant state and territory medicines and poisons legislation
Lesson plan
What the module covers
| # | Lesson | What it covers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The rights of administration and the chart | The checks that prevent almost every medication error. | 16m |
| 02 | Dose forms, crushing and swallowing | What must never be crushed, measuring liquids, and supporting a difficult swallow. | 17m |
| 03 | Refusal, PRN and when things go wrong | Consent, covert administration, PRN judgement and error reporting. | 15m |
| ✓ | Final assessment | 12 scenario-based questions · pass mark 85% · unlimited attempts | ~15m |
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