Updated on November 12, 2024
Who are support workers?
Support workers are professionals dedicated to helping individuals who may need extra assistance in daily activities due to disabilities, health conditions, or age-related challenges.
Their role varies based on the needs of each person they support, but generally, they help with tasks like personal care, medication assistance, transportation, meal preparation, and maintaining a safe environment.
Beyond physical support, they often offer emotional companionship, helping clients feel more connected and independent in their lives.
However, one of the questions that often arises about support workers is whether they are permitted to administer medications. Here we will go through medication administration in support work and which staff can legally administer medication.
Responsibilities of a support worker
1. Personal care
Support workers assist clients with essential daily routines, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. They provide physical support for clients with limited mobility, ensuring they can move safely around their environment.
2. Medication assistance
Medication support is another important responsibility of a support worker. They help clients with medication management, including reminders to take prescribed doses and, if permitted by their training and organizational policy, direct assistance with administration. They also ensure medications are stored securely and taken on time, carefully recording and reporting any issues or concerns to healthcare supervisors.
3. Emotional support and companionship
Beyond physical tasks, support workers provide emotional support and companionship, which helps to build a trusting relationship with clients. They offer conversation, a listening ear, and encouragement and help clients feel connected, understood, and less isolated. This relationship enhances clients’ mental well-being and contributes to a more positive daily experience.
4. Household assistance
Support workers often assist with light household tasks, such as meal preparation, laundry, and cleaning. This support helps clients maintain a safe, comfortable living environment and ensures their nutritional needs are met.
5. Community and social involvement
Support workers may help clients stay socially active and engaged in their community, assisting them with transportation to appointments, events, or social gatherings. This involvement empowers clients to remain connected with friends, family, and community members, contributing to an improved quality of life.
Can support workers administer insulin, suppositories, S8 medication, panadol, or other medications?
- Insulin: Insulin is typically administered through injection, a procedure that requires specific training. Only support workers with the right certifications and training can administer insulin. In most cases, support workers can assist with insulin administration under the guidance of a registered nurse or a healthcare professional.
- Suppositories: Due to the invasive nature of suppository administration, it generally falls outside the duties of unqualified support workers. Only healthcare staff with relevant certifications and training are permitted to administer suppositories. However, according to this practice guideline by the Australian Community Industry Alliance, “it is now acceptable for support workers with appropriate competency training, supervision, and assessment to administer non-oral and non-injectable medications”, which includes suppositories.
- S8 medications: Schedule 8 (S8) medications are classified as controlled drugs with a high potential for abuse, such as morphine. Support workers are generally not authorized to administer these drugs due to their regulatory restrictions. Registered nurses or similarly qualified healthcare professionals usually handle S8 medications. According to the Poisons Regulations (2018), support workers do not administer Schedule 8 (narcotic) medications other than those identified as a ‘specified narcotic substance’. The regulation also allows disability support workers to assist an individual with a disability who has the decision-making capacity to manage their own legally dispensed Schedule 8 medication but does not have the physical capacity to self-administer.
- Panadol (Paracetamol): Unlike controlled drugs, medications like Panadol are relatively safe and commonly used. Some support workers may be permitted to assist clients with taking Panadol, but it depends on organizational policies and whether the worker is trained to administer medication.
Which staff are permitted to administer medicines?
The authority to administer medication depends on a support worker’s level of training, experience, and the regulations set by their organization.
Usually, only support workers with adequate training in medication administration are allowed to handle medications.
It is expected that support workers have completed a suitable competency/vocational training course through a Registered Training Organization (RTO), registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
For instance, Certificate III in Individual Support, or its equivalent, includes a unit of competency that prepares community support workers to physically assist people with their medicines.
Registered nurses and healthcare professionals, due to their advanced training, are allowed to administer a broader range of medications and complex treatments compared to general support workers.
Difference between assisting and administering medication
| S/N | Assisting with medication | Administering medication |
| 1. | Assisting with medication is supporting a client in taking their medication by providing reminders, opening containers, or offering physical support. | Administering medication is directly giving medication to the client, which includes measuring doses, injecting, or handling medication. |
| 2. | It requires minimal training, as the client typically takes the medication themselves with minor support from the worker. | It requires specific training and sometimes certification due to the precision and knowledge needed for safe handling. |
| 3. | The client is responsible for taking the medication, with support limited to reminders and non-invasive assistance. | The support worker or healthcare professional is responsible for ensuring the correct dose and method of delivery. |
| 4. | It is generally allowed for support workers, as it involves less risk and minimal handling of medication. | It is typically restricted to trained healthcare professionals or certified support workers due to higher responsibility. |
| 5. | Examples include reminding the client to take their pills, opening a bottle, or handing the medication to the client. | Examples include giving injections, measuring liquid medication doses, or managing complex treatments such as S8 medications. |
Who can administer medications to a patient in the home?
In a home setting, the responsibility for administering medication typically lies with licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses or doctors. However, under certain circumstances, support workers may be involved in administering medication, but they must follow strict guidelines, have relevant training, and be under the supervision or direction of qualified medical staff.
For example, a support worker might be permitted to administer basic medications like oral painkillers or insulin, provided they have received proper training and the task is outlined in a care plan developed by a healthcare professional.
Additionally, family members may also be allowed to administer medications at home, particularly if they are trained by healthcare providers and involved in the care plan. In some cases, specific medications, especially those that are more complex or controlled, can only be administered by healthcare professionals with proper certification.
NDIS policy on medication administration
The NDIS provides guidelines and requirements for the administration of medication to its participants. Support workers assisting individuals funded by the NDIS must follow specific rules and guidelines regarding medication.
NDIS mandates that any support worker administering medication must undergo certified training, ensuring they understand the safe and correct procedures for each medication type. It also requires that medication administration be supervised by a registered nurse or documented carefully for accountability and safety.
Support providers must prioritize these policies to maintain safety and compliance. The Skills Training College also provides a guide to help support workers in medication administration.
Levels of medication support
Level 1: Self-administration with minimal assistance
At this level, individuals are capable of managing their medications but may need reminders or help with organizing their medications, such as setting up pillboxes or scheduling. Support workers provide reminders or encouragement, but the individual is primarily responsible for taking their medication.
Level 2: Assistance with administration
This involves support workers helping with the actual administration of medication, such as administering oral medications or assisting with injections (e.g., insulin). The support worker must be trained to ensure safe administration, following instructions from healthcare professionals. This level is common for individuals who have physical or cognitive impairments that prevent them from administering medication independently.
Level 3: Full administration
This is where the support worker is responsible for fully administering the medication to the individual. This is usually reserved for individuals with high care needs, where medication management is complex, such as those on multiple medications, injections, or controlled substances. Healthcare professionals like nurses often perform this role, though support workers may be involved if they have received the appropriate training and are supervised.
Other generally asked questions about support workers
Can support workers be friends with former clients?
Support workers can be friends with former clients, but it’s essential to approach such relationships with caution and professionalism. Maintaining boundaries is important to protect client confidentiality and avoid potential conflicts of interest. Support workers should consider any guidelines set by their organization and be mindful of ethical standards, as the shift from a professional to a personal relationship can come with challenges.
Can support workers cut nails?
Support workers can sometimes assist with nail care, but due to the potential health risks — especially for clients with conditions like diabetes or poor circulation — many organizations require specific training or restrict this task to healthcare professionals. It’s often safer for family members or trained healthcare staff to handle nail cutting to prevent accidental injury or infection.
Can support workers claim travel expenses?
Yes, support workers can often claim travel expenses, especially if they are commuting to a client’s home or transporting clients as part of their duties. Many organizations, including those under the NDIS, offer reimbursement for mileage or public transportation costs incurred while supporting clients. Policies are different, so support workers need to check with their employer to understand the specific guidelines for claiming travel expenses.
Can support workers accept gifts?
Support workers may be allowed to accept small tokens of appreciation, but most organizations have policies limiting gift acceptance to avoid potential conflicts of interest and maintain professional boundaries. If gifts are permitted, they’re often restricted to low-value items, like a card or homemade treat, rather than cash or expensive items. Support workers should consult their organization’s or NDIS guidelines before accepting any gifts from clients.
Conclusion
Medication administration by support workers is an important and complex responsibility. The ability of a support worker to administer medication depends on the complexity of the medication, their qualifications, and the organization’s policies. Organizations like Centre Disability Support prioritize the safety and well-being of their clients by ensuring their staff is trained to assist or administer medication within their competency. You can never be too careful; research and ensure that your support worker is qualified to give reliable and safe support.
Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?
At Centre Disability Support, we offer tailored support services for individuals with disabilities throughout Australia. We offer housing options in Logan, Ipswich and Brisbane areas, where we provide independent supported living or assist individuals in finding suitable options for individualised living.
Additionally, we provide day-to-day support for individuals with mental health issues, complex behaviour and other types of disabilities. We also have support coordinators available to assist with planning, navigating NDIS plans, and offering casework support.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, or a loved one, or simply wish to learn more about our services, we’re here to help.
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