59A-36.011 Staff Training Requirements and Competency Test.
(6) ASSISTANCE WITH THE SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. Unlicensed persons who will be providing assistance with the self-administration of medications as described in rule 59A-36.008, F.A.C., must meet the training requirements pursuant to section 429.52(6), F.S., prior to assuming this responsibility. Courses provided in fulfilment of this requirement must meet the following criteria:
(a) 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, including techniques for infection control, and ensure unlicensed staff have adequately demonstrated that they have acquired the skills necessary to provide such assistance.
(b) The training must be provided by a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist who shall issue a training certificate to a trainee who demonstrates, in person and both physically and verbally, the ability to:
- Read and understand a prescription label;
- Provide assistance with self-administration in accordance with section 429.256, F.S., and rule 59A-36.008, F.A.C., including:
- Assist with oral dosage forms, topical dosage forms, and topical ophthalmic, otic and nasal dosage forms;
- Measure liquid medications, break scored tablets, and crush tablets in accordance with prescription directions;
- Recognize the need to obtain clarification of an “as needed” prescription order;
- 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;
- Complete a medication observation record;
- Retrieve and store medication;
- Recognize the general signs of adverse reactions to medications and report such reactions;
- Assist residents with insulin syringes that are prefilled with the proper dosage by a pharmacist and insulin pens that are prefilled by the manufacturer by taking the medication, in its previously dispensed, properly labeled container, from where it is stored, and bringing it to the resident for self-injection;
- Assist with nebulizers;
- Use a glucometer to perform blood glucose testing;
- Assist residents with oxygen nasal cannulas and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, excluding the titration of the oxygen levels;
- Apply and remove anti-embolism stockings and hosiery;
- Placement and removal of colostomy bags, excluding the removal of the flange or manipulation of the stoma site; and,
- Measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate.
(c) Unlicensed persons, as defined in section 429.256(1)(b), F.S., who provide assistance with self-administered medications and have successfully completed the initial 6 hour training, must obtain, annually, a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education training on providing assistance with self-administered medications and safe medication practices in an assisted living facility. The 2 hours of continuing education training may be provided online.
(d) Trained unlicensed staff who, prior to the effective date of this rule, assist with the self-administration of medication and have successfully completed 4 hours of assistance with self-administration of medication training must complete an additional 2 hours of training that focuses on the topics listed in sub-subparagraphs (6)(b)2.h.-n. of this section, before assisting with the self-administration of medication procedures listed in sub-subparagraphs (6)(b)2.h.-n.