A comprehensive, intentional approach to medication training and ongoing support builds staff’s self-efficacy and promotes safety practices for children with special health care needs, medication needs, or other accommodations needed by the children in their care.
Tips and Strategies for Training Staff
- Using the program’s medication administration procedures, give all staff general, standardized medication administration training at least yearly.
- Give extra training and support to the staff who will be responsible for specific medications for children in their care.
- Offer ongoing training and support related to each child’s IHP.
- Make sure medication administration training follows all state, tribal, and territorial regulations.
- Build in opportunities for staff who administer medications to demonstrate skills and receive regular review and reassessment.
- Document all training for medication administration.
- Arrange for medication administration training to be given or supported by a trained professional (e.g., program staff, consultants, other health professionals and specialists, community partners, other established medication training resources).
- Make use of the Health Services Advisory Committee for resources and support for medication training.
- Include the family in staff training whenever possible. This will build skills and confidence for both the staff and family.
Resources for Staff Professional Development
- Medication Administration
- Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs
Read more:
Resource Type: Article
National Centers: Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Audience: Directors and Managers
Last Updated: June 16, 2023