• UEA - University of East Anglia logo

Medicine Administration for Carers

Learn about the 6 'R's of medicine administration (including medicine administration routes) and understand related legislation.

6,700 enrolled on this course

care staff with resident

Medicine Administration for Carers

6,700 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Understand the key principles of medicine administration

On this course you will learn about the underlying principles and procedures of medicine administration. You will consider the legislation and guidance surrounding medicines administration, including requirements for medicines storage and record keeping. You will also learn the 6 ‘Rs’ of medicine administration: right patient, right medicine, right route, right dose, right time and resident’s right to refuse.

Through the course you will learn through articles, videos and discussion - giving you the opportunity to collaborate and learn from other carers.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 10 seconds Working in a care home or any social care role will require you to understand the underlying principles and procedures when administering medicines to residents. While the focus of any care role is looking after the resident’s physical, emotional and social needs safe medication, administration is also an important aspect of the job. As a carer is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the resident’s needs and administer the correct drug at the correct dose and time. On this course you will learn about the six Rs of safe medication administration, that’s the right resident, the right medicine, by the right route, at the right dose and right time and let’s not forget about the resident’s right to refuse.

Skip to 1 minute and 1 second You will also become familiar with the laws and guidance on safe administration of medicines, record-keeping requirements and appropriate storage of medicines. This interactive course provides opportunities for you to collaborate with other learners, reflect on your experiences and share your thoughts. If you’re super enthusiastic there are also opportunities to stretch and challenge yourself. Our highly qualified and experienced team will support your learning through each step of the way from gaining basic knowledge, learning new skills, improving your working practice to feeling more confident in administering medicines to residents. If you’re taking this course because you have an interest in becoming a carer we hope this is a useful first step for you

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to Medicines

    • 2 friendly carers with a smiling resident at her arm chair

      Welcome to the course

      In the first activity this week you will be able to complete three steps; Introduction to the course, meet the team and join a discussion about what you intend to get from this course.

    • Lots of boxes piled together containing different medicines

      Introduction to medicines and the law

      The steps in this activity provide the an introduction to medicine, the background of medicines law and record keeping. There is a short quiz for you to check your understanding before moving onto week 2: Residential care.

    • A student taking notes while deep in thought

      End of week activity

      Now that you have an understanding of medicines and the laws that surround them, the two steps this activity will allow you to observe and carry out tasks in your workplace and share your findings and thoughts with other learners.

  • Week 2

    Residential Care

    • Lady refusing medication from bed

      The right resident and the resident's right to refuse

      In the first activity this week you will learn about the first steps in administering medicines to residents - confirming you have the right resident and the resident is consenting to the administration of the medicine.

    • Close up of elderly hands holding a selection of different shapes, sizes and colour medication

      The right route

      In the second activity you will be able to complete two steps; identifying the the right route of administration of different types of medicines and getting ready for administration by following the good glove hygiene protocol.

    • A smiling carer speaking to a resident and making notes on a clipboard

      End of week activity

      Now that you recognise the importance of involving the resident in their care, the two steps this activity will allow you to observe and carry out tasks in your workplace and share your findings and thoughts with other learners.

  • Week 3

    Medicines Management

    • A selection of resident's medication to be administered in individual containers

      Supply, storage and disposal of medicines

      In the first activity this week you will learn about how medicines are received into the care setting, how they should be stored and safely disposed of.

    • A hand removing medication from a pill box with bottles of medication in the background

      Right medicine, right dose, right time

      The second activity this week will provide you with insight into the factors that must be considered when actually administering medicines to residents.

    • 4 residential carers being briefed about a changing policy

      End of week activity

      Now that you have an understanding of medicines management, the two steps this activity will allow you to observe and carry out tasks in your workplace and share your findings and thoughts with other learners.

    • A carer walking down a corridor assisting a resident with a walking stick

      Final steps of the course

      Well done for working through three weeks of learning that will allow you to administer medicines to residents in care settings. This final activity is a quick recap and final assessment.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Engage the 6 R's of safe medicine administration for residents at your care setting
  • Apply your knowledge of the policy and guidance on covert administration of medicines in appropriate instances
  • Demonstrate good hand hygiene and knowledge of good oral hygiene for your residents
  • Identify ways in which you can involve the resident in making shared decisions about their medicines
  • Assess, monitor, administer and review medicines so that residents are receiving medicines in an appropriate form
  • Collaborate with other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure the resident's medication needs are met

Who is the course for?

This course is primarily for care workers in residential care home and nursing home services in the UK. It will be also be of interest to other people working in adult care services including those working in sheltered housing, supported living services, extra care housing services, adult placement homes and other residential care services.

Who will you learn with?

Rina Matala

I am a Lecturer at the University of East Anglia and a Community Pharmacist. I am the Dysphagia MOOC co-ordinator.

Miriam Craske

I'm an experienced community pharmacist with experience in pharmacy education. I am currently reading for a PhD in pharmacy practice at the UEA.

David Wright

Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia. Research interests include the management of medicines and their administration to patients with dysphagia

Who developed the course?

UEA - University of East Anglia logo

UEA (University of East Anglia)

The University of East Anglia is an internationally renowned university providing top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 15,000 students from over 100 countries around the globe.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$54/one-off payment

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #FLmedicineadministrationforcarers to talk about this course on social media.