Medication Management

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
MHPS 2000
Descriptive
Medication Management
Department
Mental Health and Personal Support Work
Faculty
Health Sciences
Credits
1.50
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
9 Weeks
Max Class Size
32
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Contact Hours

Lecture: 15 hours

and

Lab: 15 hours

Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, group work, case studies, and team-based exercises.

Course Description
This course prepares students with the knowledge and skills to safely administer and manage medications for their clients in mental health and substance use settings. The course comprises class and supervised laboratory experiences. The students will integrate theory from other courses to develop caregiver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of clients in community and facility contexts.
Course Content

•    Safe administration of medications and special considerations for administration of medications for clients with mental health and substance use challenges are the foci of discussion.
•    Pharmacological principles and foundational concepts:
    o    Medication classification
    o    Medications to treat specific diagnosis
    o    Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
    o    Medications and the scope of MHSU
    o    Delegated tasks
•    Safety
    o    Standards of safe practice: the “rights” of safe medication administration
    o    Prevention of medication errors
•    Medication administration
    o    Practise medication administration in a lab setting
    o    Demonstrate safe medication administration in mental health
•    Medication dosage calculation
    o    Oral
    o    Other
•    Alternative and complementary therapies
    o    Natural medications
    o    Over-the-counter medications

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1.    Define the role/responsibilities of a MHSU in medication administration;  
2.    Understand medication administration in the context of community and facility settings;  
3.    Demonstrate principles of safety when preparing and administering medications to clients by following the appropriate safety checks;  
4.    Understand basic terms and definitions related to pharmacology and medication administration;  
5.    Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of medication management for the MHSU in the Canadian Health Care system;  
6.    Understand the designated routes and basic principles of medication administration;  
7.    Demonstrate acceptable medication calculations;
8.    Understand the basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.  

Means of Assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.

This course is a graded course, not a mastery course.

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials will be provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

Prerequisites

Students in the MHSU program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% (C+) in all courses to progress in the program.