Course Description

Build safe, consistent medication practices for residential care. This course trains CBRF caregivers to prepare, administer, and document meds within policy—reducing errors, preventing adverse events, and protecting dignity and rights. Key Competencies • Medication basics: classes, intended effects, side effects, red flags. • 10 Rights (resident, med, dose, route, time, documentation, reason, response, education, refusal). • Read orders and MARs; clarify discrepancies before giving. • Dose calculations; measure liquids; permitted splitting/crushing; timing windows. • Techniques: oral/SL/buccal, topical/transdermal, ophthalmic/otic/nasal, inhalers/nebs, rectal/vaginal per policy. • Blood glucose basics; insulin awareness (if allowed by policy/delegation). • PRN criteria, effectiveness checks, timely follow-up/documentation. • High-alert and look-alike/sound-alike safeguards. CBRF-Specific Adaptations • Serving residents with mobility, visual, hearing, or cognitive needs. • Consent, privacy, trauma-informed interactions. • Infection control: gloves, hand hygiene, clean cart workflow. • Oxygen use, anticoagulants, other risk meds. Practical Skills & Scenarios • Med cart set-up; two-identifier checks; barcode/MAR verification. • Prepare/administer mock meds per guidance. • Inhaler/spacer technique; eye/ear drops; patch placement/rotation; topical application. • Scenarios: late/missed doses, refusals, vomiting after dose, new allergy, provider call-backs. Documentation & Compliance • Complete, legible MAR entries; accurate initials; narrative notes when needed. • Controlled substances: counts, double-sign, waste procedures. • Incident reporting and near-miss capture; chain-of-command notification. • Storage: temp/light control, locking, external vs internal separation, expirations. • Shift handoffs for continuity and accountability. Training Format • In-person or blended (online theory + instructor-led skills). • Small classes, demos, knowledge checks. • Take-home checklists and a med-pass rubric. Who Should Attend • CBRF caregivers, med passers, supervisors, new hires. • Staff needing renewal or added competency for med duties. Outcomes • Fewer errors, cleaner documentation, safer med passes. • Residents who feel informed, respected, supported. • Confident caregivers who follow policy and know when to escalate.