Medication Administration Category 1

Initial Certification — Prescribed Medications & Health-Related Activities

Category 1 is the starting point. This is the foundational DODD medication administration certification, and it is required before you can take any other category. Over two full days you'll learn how to safely prepare, administer, and document prescribed medications, along with the health-related activities that go with them.

WHAT’S COVERED

• The rights of medication administration and how to avoid medication errors

• Oral, topical, eye, ear, nose, inhaled, rectal, and vaginal medications

• Reading and following a physician's order and a Medication Administration Record (MAR)

• Documentation, transcription, and reporting requirements

• Recognizing and responding to side effects, adverse reactions, and refusals

• Storage, security, disposal, and controlled substance handling

• Health-related activities and when to escalate to a nurse

• Hands-on skills practice and the written/skills competency check

WHO SHOULD TAKE IT

Direct support professionals, home health aides, group home and day program staff, and anyone who needs DODD medication certification for the first time — or whose certification has been expired 61 or more days and requires a full retake.

Prerequisites — you must have both:

1. A high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

2. You must be an independent DODD provider or employed by a DODD-certified agency