Essential medication management training courses for care homes

Medication management training for care staff teaches the essential practices of: 

• How to handle medicines safely 
• How to identify risk 
• How to reduce the chance of error
• How to manage medications in a care home effectively.

Training covering these areas, which should be routinely undertaken, are essential for anybody working in the social care sector.  

In a care home setting, it is common for residents to have at least one prescription to medication that needs to be managed (of course this doesn’t include topical medications) and many will be taking more than one. These medications are essential in maintaining their wellbeing, but if not handled properly then there can be severe consequences, which is why training in the safe handling and management of medications is crucial.  

Not only is it essential for resident safety and wellbeing to manage medicines effectively, , but it is also a non-negotiable for regulatory compliance. 

For example, Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 14 of the CQC addresses all aspects of training, experience and learning and development. One of these areas is the appropriate management of medications, which states that the “care providers medicines policy should include training needs. It should be relevant to the type of care setting staff are working in and the tasks to be undertaken.” 

It also states that “Training should be accessible, and staff should be supported to take part.” 

Apart from compliance to regulations, training for the correct management and administration of medicines is also crucial for the safety of residents because it helps to improve the understanding of individual medications, as well as the understanding of how different medications might interact with one another, not to mention each medications side effects.

Training can also empower staff to successfully use and make the most of technologies such as eMAR systems. This not only helps to improve the understanding of the administration of medicines (especially topical medications), but it also serves to diminish the likelihood of medication errors occurring. 

What are the main areas of focus for medication management training? 

Of the training available in the safe handling, management and administration of medicines, there are several areas that you need to make sure your staff are covering and gaining knowledge and experience in: 

• How to handle medication safely – Knowing how to properly administer, store and dispose of medications.  

• The importance of record keeping – Understanding how records and good information governance can inform the efficiency and effectiveness of medication management, reducing errors, maintaining appropriate stock, minimising waste and improving outcomes 

• How to manage prescription requests – Understanding the process by which care homes work with pharmacies to ensure prescriptions are accurate and delivered on time. 

• Medication for those who lack capacity – The rules and regulations surrounding how to administer medication for those who cannot self-administer or may lack mental capacity to make their own decisions.  

• How to promote independent management of medications – Where possible and safe to do so, it is recommended that residents should administer their own medications to preserve independence.  

• The use of topical medications – Those not prescribed but still administered in care settings to mediate pain, for example. These can be creams, over-the-counter medications or inhalers.  

Where can these training courses be found? 

Many of the topics listed above for the safe and effective management of medications can be found by harnessing the wealth of knowledge available through training offered by Person Centred Software.

For example, training courses available include: 

Safe Handling of Medicines training provides learning outcomes on your legal responsibilities, record keeping, types of medication, methods of administration and more.

Mental Capacity Act covers what the MCA is, it’s five core principles, defining a lack of capacity, supporting someone to make decisions and promoting best interests and much more.

These are just a few of the training courses available with PCS that delve into areas that inform the safe use of medications, but there are also many training courses beyond medication management that provide knowledge, guidance and skills on all areas of care provision. 

Click here to find out more about the training courses we offer.