CDS-E-S: Introduction to Medication Support

On-the-Job Training Assessments

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CDS-E-S: Introduction to Medication Support

These are the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Assessment statements for this course. OJT Assessments are observable measures of skills. They help connect lesson content to skills used in daily practice. Supervisors, employers, trainers, and educators can use the OJTs in a variety of ways. For example:

• To develop on-the-job training opportunities
• As part of a classroom demonstration
• To develop or revise job descriptions
• As measures within a performance review

The learner should be able to demonstrate these skills or similar ones after taking the course. Mentors or supervisors can help transfer these skills through demonstration, observation, and feedback in the work environment. Workers must be able to perform skills in the workplace.

The OJTs are directly connected to the content of the lessons. However, not all OJTs apply to every situation. They can be adapted to match activities that most closely relate to the learner’s actual work. A record of the observed outcomes can be recorded in Elsevier Performance Manager. Contact your learning administrator to find out more about these evaluation options. The following assessments are recommended OJTs for these lessons:

Lesson 1: CDS-E-S: An Overview of Direct Support Roles in Medication Support

OJT Description:

• The direct support professional includes over-the-counter medications and herbal treatments, as well as prescription medications in all situations that involve medication use.
• The direct support professional can describe at least one or more possible poor outcomes as a result of taking medication improperly.
• The direct support professional can describe possible problems the person(s) they support may experience if they do not correctly take their medications.
• The direct support professional uses a single pharmacist selected by their employer when filling prescriptions.
• The direct support professional can describe several strategies that will reduce the likelihood of medication errors in the setting in which they provide support.
• The direct support professional is observed routinely following strategies that will reduce the likelihood of medication errors in the setting in which they provide support.
• For the person they support, the direct support professional can describe specific circumstances that may increase the likelihood of adverse reactions, side effects, and other poor or unexpected responses to medications.
• The direct support professional can accurately identify their duties in the area of Medication Support.
• The direct support professional can accurately describe the medication support needs for each person they support.
• The direct support professional is aware of physical barriers to taking medications experienced by each person they support.
• The direct support professional is aware of cognitive barriers to taking medications experienced by each person to whom they provide supports.
• The direct support professional is aware of circumstances that may cause the people they support to be resistive to medications supports. Examples may include cultural views, mental health disabilities, or dementia.
• The direct support professional can accurately describe any federal laws, rules, or regulations that apply to their role in medication support.
• The direct support professional can accurately describe any state or local laws, rules, or regulations that apply to their role in medication support.
• The direct support professional can accurately describe any employer policies, procedures, and practices that apply to their role in medication support.

Lesson 2: CDS-E-S: Medication Basics

OJT Description:

• The direct support professional follows all federal, state, and local laws and the policies and procedures of their employer when working with controlled substances.
• The direct support professional can list and describe the main points about any controlled substances used by the person(s) to whom they provide medication support.
• The direct support professional immediately reports any suspected problems regarding controlled substances to the appropriate person designated by the employer.
• The direct support professional follows any laws and employer policy and procedures regarding the administration of herbals, supplements, and natural remedies.
• The direct support professional can describe the difference among a prescription medication, non-prescription medication, an herbal, a natural remedy, and a nutritional supplement.
• The direct support professional can list and describe the key points, including at least the purpose and dosages, for any medications, herbal treatments, and natural remedies used by the person(s) whom they provide medication support.
• The direct support professional is observed supporting a healthy lifestyle for the people they support.
• The direct support professional can describe the effect of lifestyle on the potential need for medication.
• The direct support professional defines a medication error and gives examples to indicate when a medication error has occurred.
• The direct support professional can describe the differences among the following: a medication side effect, sensitivity, allergy, adverse reaction, and problem interaction.
• The direct support professional accurately reports and documents side effects when experienced by the people they support.
• The direct support professional effectively handles any adverse reactions to medications in the people they support.
• The direct support professional can describe the most common signs of drug allergies.
• The direct support professional effectively handles drug allergies that occur with the people they support.
• The direct support professional supports and provides advocacy as necessary for the best tolerated and most effective medications for the persons they support.
• The direct support professional can list any drugs taken by the people they support that have the potential to interact with other substances. They can name the substances to avoid.
• The direct support professional helps the person(s) they support obtaining accurate information about potential interactions when using new medications, nutritional supplements, herbals, or natural remedies.
• The direct support professional uses safe and effective medication practices when assisting a person while on trips or away from home.
• The direct support professional correctly packages and carries medications as required by law and employer policy and procedures.

Lesson 3: CDS-E-S: Working with Medications

OJT Description:

• The direct support professional routinely checks for changes in the overall health and medication support needs of person(s) receiving supports at the start of each shift.
• The direct support professional uses reliable methods for assuring they identify the right person each time they assist with medications.
• The direct support professional observes good habits in medication support, including storing, labeling, administering, and recording medications in ways that reduce the likelihood of errors.
• The direct support professional seeks guidance from others, such as healthcare providers or pharmacists, as needed, based on the need for clarification, and as required by laws and employer policies in the area of medication supports.
• The direct support professional knows when a timing error has occurred.
• The direct support professional handles timing errors appropriately, safely, and promptly.
• The direct support professional is aware of both the formal and informal policies, procedures, and practices of their employer concerning medication support.
• The direct support professional can accurately identify the information on a prescription label that is critical to observing the five rights, including the person's name, the name of the medication, the strength and dose, how to use the medication, and any warning or precautions.
• The direct support professional can accurately identify the information on a prescription label that is NOT critical to observing the five rights but may be helpful for other purposes. Information includes the prescriber's name, the date the prescription was filled, quantity or amount in the prescription, expiration date, number of refills available, pharmacy contact information, and the prescription number.
• The direct support professional can accurately identify the following on an over-the-counter medication label: the name of the medication and its uses, the active ingredients, the directions for timing, route, and dosage, precautions or warnings, the inactive ingredients, the expiration date, and any storage requirements.
• The direct support professional is observed reading the label on an over-the-counter medication before assisting with administration.
• The direct support professional supports administration of over-the-counter medications as directed, taking into account the information on the label or insert, the policies and procedures of the employer, and any particular directions from healthcare providers.
• The direct support professional watches for problem reactions to over-the-counter drugs and handles any problems effectively and safely.
• The direct support professional asks questions of pharmacists and prescribing healthcare provider to be sure that they fully understand the uses and potential problems with new medications and remedies.
• The direct support professional is observed storing medications in a manner that keeps them fresh and potent and is in keeping with any particular directions for the medication.
• The direct support professional stores medications according to the guidelines of the support setting and suggests improvements when the system is confusing or disorganized.
• The direct support professional uses good hygiene and appropriate use of protective barriers while providing medication support.
• The direct support professional describes situations in which medications would need to be destroyed.
• The direct support professional ensures that unusable medications are destroyed promptly and adequately.
• The direct support professional knows and practices medication destruction safely and effectively.
• The direct support professional can describe safe and effective methods for destroying medications available in their community.
• The direct support professional is observed correctly following all policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and laws when destroying medications.

Lesson 4: CDS-E-S: Administration of Medications and Treatments

OJT Description:

• The direct support professional is familiar with any systems used in the work setting to track the administration of medications, including written medication administration records.
• The direct support professional provides sufficient time and planning to ensure they complete medication administration without unnecessary interruptions or distractions.
• The direct support professional communicates with others as necessary to ensure medications are administered as prescribed or recommended.
• The direct support professional treats each person with respect during medication administration regardless of the person's perceived ability to understand, including speaking directly to the person, using an appropriate tone, informing the person of procedures in advance, and ensuring comfort during procedures.
• The direct support professional ensures privacy in medication support at a level desired by the person receiving supports.
• The direct support professionals can describe how they make decisions regarding the desired level of privacy during medication support, for people who cannot easily communicate with others.
• The direct support professional is observed accurately completing a "triple-check" for the five rights of administration on the medication label before administering medications.
• The direct support professional administers medications in pill form correctly.
• The direct support professional uses approved measuring devices and measures correctly when administering liquid medications.
• The direct support professional correctly uses inhalers to administer medications.
• The direct support professional can correctly administrate eye drops or ointments.
• The direct support professional can directly administer ear drops.
• The direct support professional can administer nasal spray and nasal drops correctly.
• The direct support professional can administer topical medication correctly.
• The direct support professional complies with policies, procedures, and regulations regarding medication refusals or misuse.
• The direct support professional provides support to people in learning more about their medications.

Lesson 5: CDS-E-S: Follow-Up, Communication, and Documentation of Medications

OJT Description:

• The direct support professional can describe the systems for communication, documentation, and follow-up in the area of medication support required by their employer.
• The direct support professional effectively prioritizes communication and documentation needs when dealing with medications and medication-related situations.
• The direct support professional is familiar with all standard forms used by their employer for documenting medications and medication-related events.
• The direct support professional completes all medical-related documentation as soon as possible after an event.
• The direct support professional makes sure they do not leave the support situation before completing all necessary medical-related documentation.
• The direct support professional knows how to complete and update a medication administration record as required by their employer.
• The direct support professional can describe the terms abuse, neglect, and exploitation as their employer and or state define them.
• The direct support professional complies with all reporting requirements and with ethical standards related to the reporting of potential abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable people.
• The direct support professional can identify potential abuse, neglect, or exploitation situations that are related to medication supports.

Lesson 6: CDS-E-S: Using Medication References and Resources

OJT Description:

• The direct support professionals can describe several possible resources useful for learning more about medications.
• The direct support professional can list the benefits and limitations of medication resources they use.
• The direct support professional can accurately use the references and resources provided by the employer.