Assistance with Self-Administered Medication Training Requirement

Assisted living facilities that utilize unlicensed staff to assist residents with self-administered medications must ensure that those staff receive a minimum of 4 hours of training PRIOR to assuming this responsibility.

Training must cover state law and rule requirements with respect to the supervision, assistance, administration, and management of medications in assisted living facilities; procedures and techniques for assisting the resident with self-administration of medication including how to read a prescription label; providing the right medications to the right resident; common medications; the importance of taking medications as prescribed; recognition of side effects and adverse reactions and procedures to follow when residents appear to be experiencing side effects and adverse reactions; documentation and record keeping; and medication storage and disposal. Training shall include demonstrations of proper techniques and provide opportunities for hands-on learning through practice exercises.

Note: Only registered nurses (RNs) and licensed pharmacists can provide this training.

In order for a staff person to receive a certificate of completion, he or she must be able to demonstrate the following skills:

1. Understand a prescription label;
2. Provide assistance with self-administration in accordance with s. 429.256, F.S., and Rule 58A-5.0185, including:
   1. Assist with oral dosage forms, topical dosage forms, and topical ophthalmic, otic and nasal dosage forms;
   2. Measure liquid medications, break scored tablets, and crush tablets in accordance with prescription directions;
   3. Recognize the need to obtain clarification of an "as needed" prescription order;
   4. Recognize a medication order which requires judgment or discretion, and to advise the resident, resident's health care provider or facility employer of inability to assist in the administration of such orders;
   5. Complete a medication observation record;
   6. Retrieve and store medication; and
   7. Recognize the general signs of adverse reactions to medications and report such reactions.