What is medication administration training?
Ensuring safety for everyone
Taking as well as administering medications come with a certain amount of risk. This is why it’s imperative that all precautions are taken, policies are adhered to, and best practices are followed.
With this in mind, what kind of training is available to care staff for this specialist knowledge? How does training help in the grand scheme of things? What kind of risks does the right training reduce?
Join tend as we take a closer look at this critical aspect of working in care today.
First of all, what is medication administration?
Medication administration is the process of preparing, giving, supporting, or supervising the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines to ensure they are taken safely, correctly, and effectively.
In UK health and social care settings, medication administration is governed by strict legal, professional, and organisational standards to protect people from harm, and ensure the intended therapeutic benefit.
Medication administration may involve:
- Administering medicines directly (where permitted)
- Prompting or supporting individuals to take their own medication
- Ensuring the correct medicine, dosage, time, and route
- Monitoring effects and side effects
- Recording administration accurately
- Escalating concerns or errors immediately
A worker’s level of responsibility depends on their role, the setting, their competency, and local policy.
What is medication administration training?
This specialist learning is designed to equip care and health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and judgement required to handle medicines responsibly.
Medication administration training covers:
- Medication types (tablets, liquids, creams, inhalers, etc.)
- Routes of administration
- Medication purposes and effects
- Common side effects, adverse reactions and allergies
- Infection prevention and control
- Confidentiality and record keeping
The training also instils knowledge of the legal and professional responsibilities according to UK law. Learners are trained in:
- The Medicines Act 1968
- The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities)
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) expectations
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance
- The ‘Five Rights’ of medication administration (the right person, medication, dose, time, and route)
Learners who complete medication administration training also learn practical skills and knowledge, including knowing when not to administer certain medications, when to escalate concerns, reading and understanding Medication Administration Record (MAR) charts, managing missed doses, and more.
Medication administration and the wider care sector
Medication administration is a core, safety-critical function across the entire health and care system, including:
- Adult social care (care homes, domiciliary care, supported living facilities)
- Healthcare settings (hospitals, GP practices, community services)
- Specialist settings (dementia care, learning disability services, end-of-life care)
Medication management can be complex. It requires high confidence and competence. Safe medication practices prevent serious harm and hospitalisation, as well as reducing further pressure on NHS services.
Which care sector roles require medication administration training?
This specific training applies to many roles, including:
- Adult/Lead Adult Care Workers
- Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs)
- Senior Healthcare Support Workers
- Learning Disabilities Support Workers
- Mental Health Support Workers
- Community Care Workers
- Supported Living Staff
- Community Health & Wellbeing Roles (in some cases)
The extent of training required is dependent on the role and setting workers are in.
How is medication administration training delivered?
The delivery of medication administration training differs depending on the training provider. Some training takes a blended approach, mixing theory-based learning, practical demonstrations, supervised practice, and competency assessments. Other training is delivered 100% online.
For example, tend offers a CPD Medication Awareness Course for care professionals. Delivered online, the course structure consists of:
- Accountability, responsibility, organisational medication policies, and procedures
- The importance of maintaining the individual’s privacy, dignity, independence, choice, and consent when discussing and administering medication
- Types of medication available, and possible routes for administering them
- Possible common side effects and adverse reactions to medications for some individuals
- Managing medication errors, and the dos and don’ts of medication administration and usage
Refresher training may be required at regular intervals in a care worker’s career, to ensure best practice is adhered to, and any changes to policies are taken onboard.
Medication administration is also embedded into a number of our apprenticeship and diploma programmes.
Why is medication administration training so important?
Medication errors can have serious consequences. Incorrect administration can lead to:
- Adverse/allergic reactions
- Hospitalisations
- Long-term harm
- Safeguarding concerns
- Legal consequences
The purpose of comprehensive medication administration training is to reduce these risks, and keep people safe. It is also intended to empower staff to feel confident and be trusted to administer medications correctly and competently. This alone improves care quality, as well as staff retention rates.
Final thoughts
Safe systems of care protect all of us, whether seeking assistance with our health, or working within the sector. Medication administration training ensures that those responsible for or supporting the administering of medicines do so correctly, safely, and professionally.
Training reduces the risks associated with unsafe or incorrect medication practices, which can potentially have very serious circumstances.
Training providers like tend offer specialist training, as well as embedding safe medication administration education into many of our apprenticeship and diploma programmes. The kind of training your team needs is entirely dependent on roles and responsibilities.
Training ensures compliance, competence and safety for all coming into contact with medicines. Make sure your staff and the people you serve remain safe and protected. Seek the training that reduce risks and increases confidence.
Ready to explore medication administration training options? Reach out to our team today. Call 01753 596 004 or hit the button below.
