Complete Care Training
Medication Awareness and Safe Handling of Medicines
MedicationLevel 1

Medication Awareness and Safe Handling of Medicines

Introduces the '6 Rs' of safe medication administration (right person, medicine, dose, route, time, and documentation), types of medication (oral, topical, PRN) at awareness level, and safe storage and disposal requirements including controlled drugs basics. Covers recognising a medication error, near miss, or adverse reaction, and the correct escalation and reporting procedure (including safeguarding implications). Introduces MAR (Medication Administration Record) charts and the importance of accurate, contemporaneous recording. Uses scenarios such as a missed dose, a service user refusing medication, and recognising signs of an adverse drug reaction.

1 hour 10 minutes
Created by Sophie Barber Updated 10/2026 English
Part of Mandatory Training · Course 6 of 15
  • 100% online, any time
  • On any device
  • Accredited certificate on completion
  • Learn by doing
  • Storytelling built around your routine
  • Audio and alt text throughout
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What you'll learn

State the '6 Rs' of safe medication administration.
Identify safe storage and disposal requirements for medicines, including controlled drugs at awareness level.
Describe how to complete a MAR chart accurately.
Recognise a medication error or adverse reaction and state the correct reporting procedure.

Course content

5 modules

The six rights of safe medication administration, why the sixth is the person's right to decline, where your role stops, and which medicines cannot wait.
Where medicines live and how they leave: fridge and cupboard rules, controlled drugs at awareness level, and safe disposal through the pharmacy, never the sink.
How to complete a MAR chart accurately: sign straight away, leave no gaps, code every dose not given, and know when a second signature is needed.
How to recognise a medication error, near miss or adverse reaction, and the reporting steps that follow: person first, manager next, then record and report.
The graded assessment. Ten questions drawn from a 30-question bank covering the whole course. Answer them as you would act on shift.

Specialist

Sophie Barber

A qualified teacher, examiner and content creator, Sophie has over 10 years experience developing resources for examination boards to ensure that they are using effective learning tools. An ex-medic, Sophie has a huge passion for the healthcare profession and the importance of delivering quality care.

Training you can trust

How this course works. You will work through self-paced modules, check your understanding with knowledge checks, and finish with a short assessment. On passing, your CPD-certified certificate is available to download immediately, ready for your CQC evidence file or employer records.

Recommended renewal: every year. Your certificate is valid for 12 months. Skills for Care's minimum for most topics is every 3 years. Refresher periods by topic

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

There is no deadline: a one-off purchase gives you lifetime access to the course, including updates, so you can complete it at your own pace across shifts.
Yes. Every course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, and the certificate states the course, the level and the date you passed.
Yes. It works on phone, tablet and computer, and your progress syncs between them.
Your certificate is generated the moment you pass the final assessment, ready to download or print.