Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:38 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:38 PM 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 medications
Administer medications
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTDEFHC401B
HLTDEFHC401B
State Code
D5863
D5863
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Field of Education
061399 - Public Health, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
02/08/2011
Nominal Hours
85
Description
DescriptorThis unit covers the competency required to administer medications to individuals in accordance with a medication order or as part of a health promotion program
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare client for medication administration
- 1.1 Check client details against the medication order to confirm correct client identification
- 1.2 Explain administration clearly and simply to the client
- 1.3 Gain informed consent from client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures
- 1.4 Check client for known allergies to medication
- 1.5 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns
- 1.5 Assure and maintain confidentiality of client information
2. Prepare medication for administration
- 2.1 Check medication order to ensure it is correctly authorised and provides the complete information required to proceed with the administration
- 2.2 Record and cross check verbal medication orders in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures
- 2.3 Assess environment for suitability to perform medication administration
- 2.4 Assemble equipment and consumables for administration
- 2.5 Select medication, ensuring it complies with the medication order
- 2.6 Check medication to ensure it is current and within its expiry date
- 2.7 Prepare medication to ensure it is ready for administration in the correct dose and route of administration as authorised in the medication order
3. Perform medication administrations
- 3.1 Use personal protective equipment as required
- 3.2 Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures
- 3.3 Check medication in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policy/ procedures, including checking by co workers or supervisor for correctness
- 3.4 Administer medication by the defined route of administration as authorised in the medication order and in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policy/ procedures
- 3.5 Recognise unsuccessful administrations and seek referral/assistance
- 3.6 Report medication errors and record immediately upon realisation that an error has been detected
- 3.7 Record administration in a manner that is easily interpreted by others and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
- 3.8 Monitor client for expected outcomes and adverse effects
- 3.9 Rectify or seek assistance for adverse effects
4. Clean and store equipment
- 4.1 Clean and/or dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers' requirements and infection control policy
- 4.2 Store equipment and consumables in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
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.
Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:
ADF Nursing Procedure Manual
ADF treatment protocols
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies standards
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards
Medication order includes:
An order received either in a written form or verbally, by an appropriately authorised person that:
identifies the person requiring the medication
identifies the medication to be administered
details the time and frequency of the medication
identifies the dosage and route of administration
Confidentiality of client information may be insured by:
Adherence to Privacy Act
Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position
Legal and ethical requirements
Secure location for written records
Treatment room with privacy
Environment assessment may include:
Adequate lighting
Health care practitioner's specified needs
Suitable climate
Suitable client privacy
Equipment and consumables may include:
Antiseptic skin wipes
Cotton tips
Disposable calibrated dispensing cup
Drinking water
Hypodermic needles
Medication
Medication spatula
Medication tray or trolley
Personal protective equipment
Syringe
Prepared medication may include:
Calculating dosage to be given
Converting drug measurements
Opening medication and consumable packaging
Preparing the medication for administration by the defined route which may include:
dispensing into a measuring cup
drawing up into a syringe
diluting medication to the required dosage
mixing one medication with another
Route of administration may include:
Intramuscular injection
Subcutaneous injection
Oral
Rectal
Sublingual or buccal
Topical
Transdermal
Vaginal
Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:
Australian and State standards and legislation
Industry standards
Organisation procedures
Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures
Direct instructions from supervisor
Medication errors may include:
Administration to the incorrect client
Administration at the wrong time and frequency
Administration in an incorrect dose
Administration by the wrong route of administration
Administration of the wrong medication
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.
Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:
ADF Nursing Procedure Manual
ADF treatment protocols
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies standards
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards
Medication order includes:
An order received either in a written form or verbally, by an appropriately authorised person that:
identifies the person requiring the medication
identifies the medication to be administered
details the time and frequency of the medication
identifies the dosage and route of administration
Confidentiality of client information may be insured by:
Adherence to Privacy Act
Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position
Legal and ethical requirements
Secure location for written records
Treatment room with privacy
Environment assessment may include:
Adequate lighting
Health care practitioner's specified needs
Suitable climate
Suitable client privacy
Equipment and consumables may include:
Antiseptic skin wipes
Cotton tips
Disposable calibrated dispensing cup
Drinking water
Hypodermic needles
Medication
Medication spatula
Medication tray or trolley
Personal protective equipment
Syringe
Prepared medication may include:
Calculating dosage to be given
Converting drug measurements
Opening medication and consumable packaging
Preparing the medication for administration by the defined route which may include:
dispensing into a measuring cup
drawing up into a syringe
diluting medication to the required dosage
mixing one medication with another
Route of administration may include:
Intramuscular injection
Subcutaneous injection
Oral
Rectal
Sublingual or buccal
Topical
Transdermal
Vaginal
Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:
Australian and State standards and legislation
Industry standards
Organisation procedures
Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures
Direct instructions from supervisor
Medication errors may include:
Administration to the incorrect client
Administration at the wrong time and frequency
Administration in an incorrect dose
Administration by the wrong route of administration
Administration of the wrong medication
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 competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the work
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible
Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
appropriate equipment
scenarios that reflect a range of medication administrations that may be expected in the workplace
relevant organisation policy, guidelines, and treatment protocols
relevant legislative and regulatory documents
manufacturers' specifications for the use and storage of equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of medication administrations that could be expected in the workplace
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity 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 health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of 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 health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit may be assessed independently, but holistic assessment with other clinical units is encouraged
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 competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the work
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible
Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
appropriate equipment
scenarios that reflect a range of medication administrations that may be expected in the workplace
relevant organisation policy, guidelines, and treatment protocols
relevant legislative and regulatory documents
manufacturers' specifications for the use and storage of equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of medication administrations that could be expected in the workplace
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity 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 health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of 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 health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit may be assessed independently, but holistic assessment with other clinical units is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9167 | HLTDEFHC401A | Administer medications | Unit of competency |
