Understanding the Safe Handling of Medicines

Introduction

Poor practice in relation to the administration of medicines can lead to serious errors being made and ultimately cause injury to people using health and social care services. Therefore, it’s essential that care staff understand procedures for handling medicines safely and that they follow safe practice guidelines when dealing with medicine administration.

This course is designed for learners aged 18 or over, who wish to develop their knowledge of the safe handling of medicines. It is ideal for those who are already employed in a health and social care context, who wish to study the programme as part of their own continuous professional development.

Learners will be provided with all the necessary workbooks to complete the programme and will have the opportunity to work through a series of reflective tasks and activities designed to reinforce the learning process and test their knowledge.

Course code

OSHM

Location

Varies

Duration

It will involve 120 hours of personal learning to complete. Most students complete the course in 20 weeks, averaging 6 hours of personal learning per week.

Entry Requirements

Learners must be aged 18 or over in order to enrol on the course, but otherwise there are no specific entry requirements for this programme.

Course Content

The Certificate in Understanding the Safe Handling of Medication in Health and Social Care comprises two concise module workbooks which cover the learning outcomes of the following units:

Module A
Understand medication and prescriptions
Record keeping and audit processes for medication

Module B
Supply, storage and disposal of medication
Understand the requirements for the safe administration of medication

Assessments

The learning materials include an assessment, which allows learners to demonstrate achievement of all learning outcomes associated with each unit. Learners should complete the assessment remotely and submit it to their tutor for marking.

Progression

Learners will be able to further their own continuous professional development, which may improve their career prospects, or allow them to progress on to further qualifications such as courses in health and social care or related subjects.

Course Contact Details

openlearning@dumgal.ac.uk
T: 01387 734199

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