Is medication management in a support worker's role?
It can be, but it depends on your training, your provider's medication policy, the participant's needs, and the medicines laws in your state or territory. Simple assistance such as prompting or helping with a dose aid is often within scope. Higher risk tasks are treated as high intensity supports and need specific training and authorisation.
NDIS Code of Conduct
NDIS Practice Standards
NDIS high intensity daily personal activities module and high intensity support skills descriptors
What is usually within scope
Many support workers help with medication as part of everyday support. This often includes prompting a participant to take their medication, helping them open a dose administration aid or Webster pack, and following the participant's medication chart or plan. What is in scope depends on your training, your employer's medication policy, and the medicines laws in your state or territory, which set who may do what.
When extra skills are needed
Some tasks carry higher risk and are treated as high intensity supports. Under the NDIS high intensity daily personal activities module and the high intensity support skills descriptors, tasks such as subcutaneous injections require specific training and demonstrated competency. You should not perform these unless you have been trained, assessed as competent, and authorised by your provider to do so.
Your obligations
The NDIS Code of Conduct requires you to deliver safe, competent support and to act only within your skills. The NDIS Practice Standards require your provider to have clear medication management policies, records and staff training. Always work within your scope, follow your provider's policy, and record what you did. If you are unsure, ask your supervisor before acting.
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