Medication Administration Theory (CACC 200)

This fully on-line course is intended for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in British Columbia. This course will help prepare students to assist with and administer medications in assisted living residences.

This course is the first half of the Certificate in Medication Administration for Health Care Assistants program. Program participants must successfully complete both courses to receive the certificate; successful completion of the full program will prepare students to safely administer medications in the Assisted Living setting under the supervision of a nurse.

By the end of this course, students will

• understand the role of the HCA in the Assisted Living setting;
• understand the fundamentals of medications and their administration; and
• be able to demonstrate the procedures for various medication delivery methods.

Proof of registration with the BC Care Aide Registry. 

Completion of English 12 with a minimum grade of “C” or proof of equivalent as outlined in detail here: https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/general-information/admissions. 

Topics covered include:

• basic HCA concepts and skills;
• basic pharmacology
• guideline when giving medications;
• procedures for medication delivery, including oral medications, nasal sprays, sublingual medications, eye and ear medications, inhaled medications, and topical and transdermal medications; and
• safety, documentation and PRN medications.

All required resources will be provided within the course.

The primary resource used is Mosby’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker (4^th Canadian Edition). It is available through the Douglas College Bookstore for anyone wishing to order a copy. It may also be available at public college libraries throughout BC where the Health Care Assistant Program is offered. This textbook is used by HCA programs throughout BC, and most of Canada. It is a good resource for anyone working as an HCA in BC.

Interactive online course, delivered through Blackboard.

Due to the nature of an online delivery, the student will be expected be proficient in computer skills including email, adding attachments, navigating the internet etc. Resources for getting started with Blackboard are available online to help get the student comfortable in the Blackboard environment.

There are seven modules, each of which has an evaluation or activity students must successfully complete before moving on to the next module. Evaluation or activities may include quizzes/tests, questions to answer, forms to fill in/worksheets, or other activities.

Students must also successfully complete a supervised on-line test.

Registration is easy; simply contact the Program Assistant at cehs@douglascollege.ca, for the course registration form. Payment of the tuition fee must accompany registration.

Instructions on how to access your course materials will be emailed to you by the Program Assistant within five (5) business days prior to your chosen course start date.