Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 41: WORKING WITH MEDICATION IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CAREEssential guidance for tutorsDeliveryThis unit needs to be delivered by an appropriately qualified tutor.The unit could be introduced through initial class discussions to encourage thinkingabout the administration of medicines. This will serve to raise awareness of the focusof this unit, and encourage learners to consider and share any previous experiencesin relation to the topic. Learners should be encouraged to relate their learning in thisunit to their work experience placements, and draw on examples from the health orsocial care workplace as much as possible.Following such an introduction, the unit could be delivered through a combination oftutor input, individual/small group research followed by presentations, and the useof case studies, visits or guest speakers. Active learning techniques should be used asmuch as possible, as should reference to the workplace. Conceptions about thefunctions of medicines should be elicited and discussed, allowing misconceptions tobe identified and rectified. Learners should be able to match routes of administrationto appropriateness of the route to the individual and to different forms ofmedication. In terms of changes to individuals after administration of medication, itshould be emphasised to learners that such changes may not be as a result of theadministration and, irrespective of the cause of the changes, the need to seek adviceshould be emphasised. Learners also need to understand the issues surroundingconsent and informed consent. These issues may best be addressed using case studymaterial or the experiences of learners who have come into contact with the issues.Learners could be encouraged to carry out internet research into aspects oflegislation relevant to the administration of medicines, and then share their findingsin small groups. The depth of knowledge required here is reflected in the guidedlearning hours for the unit, and as a rough guide no more than about four hoursshould be allocated to this.When considering roles, responsibilities and boundaries in relation to medication,learners should draw upon their work placement experiences for examples, andshould then be encouraged to share these in small groups or the whole class in orderto broaden the experiences of the learning cohort.AssessmentThis unit could be assessed through the vehicle of one holistic assignment, or thoughtwo or three smaller ones, according to the needs of the learner cohort.Evidence for P1 could be presented in the form of a piece of writing, drawing onexamples from health and social care settings as far as possible. Case studies couldbe used to supplement this evidence.BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007509