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A Support Worker’s Guide to NDIS Medication Management
People with disability may need to take medications in their daily lives for a number of reasons, including managing chronic conditions or pain management. In some cases, people with disability may need support or assistance with taking their medication; this is where a support worker may come in. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability service providers must have systems in place to ensure safe administration, including organisational policies and individual care plans. Most crucially, support workers must also have the appropriate training to assist with medication administration and management.
Can NDIS support workers administer medication?
The short answer is yes. However, disability support workers who are required to assist with medication must be competent in performing tasks such as preparing and supporting the administration of medication and monitoring the effects of administered medication.
Watch this short video to learn more about support workers’ roles and responsibilities when it comes to medication management.
Key points:
- Support workers can assist with medication only after completing the appropriate NDIS medication training
- The person’s choices must be respected and their rights upheld
- Self-administration must be encouraged as far as possible
- Always follow the instructions for each medication
- Watch out for any side effects or changes in behaviour
- Administer medication safely while adhering to infection control practices
Understanding NDIS medication administration
So, what are the key considerations when supporting people with disability with their medication? The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission provides detailed guidance for disability service providers and support workers via the NDIS Practice Standards and High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors.
Under these guidelines, support workers must:
- Take a person-centred approach: they must respect the person’s preferences and promote their right to dignity, independence, and choice
- Communicate effectively: it’s crucial for support workers to maintain communication at every step of the medication administration process and ensure they know what is happening and are comfortable
- Clearly document everything: support workers need to maintain accurate records of all medication administration, including the following:
- Right medication
- Right person
- Right dosage
- Securely store all medication: in line with organisational policies and procedures, support workers must ensure all medication is safely and securely kept in a clean area and is easily identifiable.
- Report incidents: if any incident occurs, all details should be recorded and reported as soon as possible (safety should always be the first priority)
Many service providers have even adopted the Tasmanian Government’s Medication Management Framework (even those outside Tasmania). The Framework puts forth a continuum to be used as a lens through which medication management can be viewed. At one end of the continuum, people with disability fully self-manage/self-administrate; at the other, support workers are required to assist entirely.
Regardless of the framework used, it’s vital that support workers perform their duties while complying with the NDIS Practice Standards.
Ensuring medication competency for support workers
To meet NDIS medication management requirements, support workers need relevant training to maintain their competencies. Developed in partnership with the National Disability Services, our NDS Workforce Essentials eLibrary includes comprehensive medication management training.
It contains three courses centred on NDIS medication administration and management, including:
- Medications and Support Worker Roles and Responsibilities
- Medication Administration, Incidents, & Documentation
- Medication Storage and Waste Management
Through this training, support workers will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Prepare to assist with medication
- Prepare a person for assistance with administration of medication
- Support a person with administration of medication
- Handle medication incidents and contingencies
- Store and secure medication and related equipment
- Collect hazardous waste, including sharps
- Dispose of medication waste
Learners will also have access to the Preparing to Assist and Assisting with Medication Administration Learning Bites, which provide quick, on-the-job refreshers so workers can prepare for medication administration tasks and revisit best practices.
You can find our medication management training within our NDS Workforce Essentials library.
Final thoughts
Medication management is a significant responsibility that requires proper training, clear policies, and a person-centred approach.
By understanding their role under the NDIS guidelines, support workers can provide safe, practical support that maintains people with disability's independence and dignity.
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