What Is Medication Administration Training
Medication Administration Training is a process by which the healthcare provider trains individuals in medication use. It is a training course that can be conducted in person or via technology, such as computer-based learning modules.
The three phases of this type of education can be divided as follows:
- Orientation
- Evaluation
- Competence.
The following text provides a brief overview of each of these phases.
In the "Orientation" phase, healthcare providers and other personnel responsible for administering medications are given an initial orientation regarding how to use the training system. Orientation may include instruction in the basics of medication administration, such as the role of a patient's nurse and pharmacist, and the training modules available.
The "Evaluation" phase consists of a group or individual demonstration in which healthcare providers demonstrate the capabilities they have attained through their training. Training books and manuals may also be provided. Additional reference materials such as illustrations, videos, and workbooks may also be distributed.
In the "Evaluation" phase, healthcare providers use training modules to evaluate their performance. This allows them to determine what areas need improvement and whether or not they have mastered the material covered during the training.
Finally, the "Competence" phase involves a final certification that confirms that the healthcare provider has attained the minimum level of knowledge and proficiency in administering medications. Competence requires the healthcare provider to pass a competency exam or complete additional training that leads to a competency certificate.
This type of training is often found in healthcare, including hospitals and other clinical settings. The training typically takes several hours and is conducted by a medical director trained in the area. Staff nurses should provide this type of training.
Training in medication administration should be provided as part of orientation for any healthcare provider responsible for administering medications to patients. This includes physicians and nursing staff, among others. In addition, the training should be provided to long-term care facility staff and families.
Many healthcare providers need to achieve the minimum competency standards. This results in medication errors, drug-related injuries or fatalities, improper treatments, increased morbidity or mortality rates, or a decline in quality of care. This is primarily due to improper training and a need for continuing education. This creates a perpetual cycle of errors that can be costly to healthcare facilities and patients. There are solutions available, however, such as online medication administration courses.
Are There Different Levels of Medication Administration Training?
Yes, several levels of medication administration are available that must be adhered to by healthcare providers who administer medications. For example, staff nurses in the United States usually receive their initial medication administration training. Training is required before they can administer drugs to patients.
In the United States, it is not sufficient to have a license to practice nursing; nurse practitioners are required to have at least an associate degree or diploma in nursing, as well as additional training beyond basic nursing school, such as passing a state licensure exam and completing continuing education requirements.
This type of training can be provided through different venues, such as group settings or individualized instruction. The main types of training available are as follows:
Group Training
To be certified, each healthcare provider must be given an initial orientation and evaluation. The orientation is usually conducted over several hours, with time set aside for workbooks, videos, and other reference materials.
The evaluation phase consists of group or individual demonstrations where the healthcare providers use training books and manuals to demonstrate competency. The healthcare provider must also use feedback from their peers during the evaluation process for coworkers to determine if they are achieving the minimum standards needed to administer medications.
Individualized Training
Some healthcare providers may take medication administration courses on their own to be certified directly by a healthcare provider who has been certified. This is also known as a home study and is an option for healthcare providers who need easy access to a healthcare provider trained in medication administration.
Home study can be done online or through physical classroom settings. In the United States, this type of training is usually only licensed by the state where it originated. However, it can be considered a form of continuing education and therefore recognized by other states.
The problem with this type of training is that educators often need formal training in the subject matter they are attempting to teach and may need help teaching certain material.
Medication Administration Courses
What is the difference between basic, advanced, and expert-level medication administration courses?
Basic, advanced, and expert levels refer to the level of medication administration training that a person has received. The basic or introductory level is intended for people new to medication administration and healthcare. While it may introduce some general principles of medication administration, it will mainly focus on drug selection.
Alternatively, the advanced level is intended for people who already have some knowledge of medication administration. The advanced level may provide specific details on administering certain medications and information on new technology and practices such as electronic prescribing and computerized medication administration.
Some examples of advanced courses are Advanced Clinical Technician (ACT) courses for nurses, certified professional clinical pharmacist (CPhP) courses for pharmacists and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) courses for nurses. Finally, the expert level typically requires a test or certification from an accredited certifying agency.
Expert-level courses provide more detailed information on all the mentioned levels, such as administering anesthetics, managing patients with Alzheimer's, and practicing in a clinical laboratory setting.
Any education program aims to help students gain knowledge for performing their job. This can be accomplished through courses that provide supervised and independent training, allowing healthcare providers to learn how to safely and competently administer medications. Training is also needed so healthcare providers can properly care for patients on medication therapy.
Conclusion
Safe medication administration and patient care depend on ensuring those responsible for medication management receive the necessary training and education. This is accomplished in various ways, but primarily through the education of healthcare providers. Healthcare providers must be trained and educated to provide high-quality care to patients. Education, training, and certification are meant to ensure that best practices are followed and that patients receive medications without the risk of harm.
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