Introduction

This policy outlines the information required, and the expectations of a Hireup Support Worker when providing support with the administration of subcutaneous injections to people and of the Client when a subcutaneous injection is required on shift.  

This policy aims to ensure the standard of service delivery remains safe and high quality. It aims to provide guidance to Support Workers, outlining what duties are acceptable for them to complete and what duties are outside of the scope of a Support Worker.

All subcutaneous injections administered by a Support Worker will be accompanied by a Medication Authority Form (MAF). A MAF is to be completed by an appropriate, registered health professional, such as a doctor and should be reviewed every 12 months or as otherwise stated by the treating health professional. 

Clients who require the administration of subcutaneous insulin injections for diabetes management are also required to have a diabetes management plan completed by an appropriate, registered health professional, such as a doctor or diabetes educator  and should be reviewed every 12 months or as otherwise stated by the treating health professional. Where the administration of subcutaneous insulin injections is required, the Support Worker and Client should read this policy in conjunction with the Diabetes Management Policy.

Hireup Values 

Hireup’s values provide us with the direction in which we engage with our community and develop policy and process across the business. 

We recognise that subcutaneous injection support is only a part of a person’s overall support needs. By upholding the value of ‘the person is the point’ we take an individualised approach to subcutaneous injection support.  

Hireup acknowledges Clients and their families are experts in their individual subcutaneous injections support. Central to this understanding is the principle of ‘championing choice’ and control for Clients to make informed decisions about their subcutaneous injection support. Whilst Hireup is not responsible for the assessment or development of a Client’s medication authority form or diabetes management plan, we support Clients to engage with suitable health professionals and to be involved in the planning and management of their subcutaneous injections, as well as any individual training arrangements. 

Definitions: 

Support Worker: a person that provides support to the Client, typically in a paid capacity.

Medication authority form: a document that outlines for service users:

• Name of each medication
• Purpose of each medication
• Dosage amount and frequency
• Route of administration
• Preparation instructions (including injection procedure)
• Storage instructions
• Potential side effects of the medication

Diabetes management plan: a document that outlines for service users:

• Communication preferences
• Type of diabetes
• Blood Glucose Level (BGL) details including acceptable limits, testing requirements and actions to take when BGLs are out of limits
• Management of diabetes (including injecting procedure)
• Lifestyle recommendations
• Risks to look for and actions to take to respond to risks, troubleshooting and emergencies 

Subcutaneous Injection: medications that are delivered through an injection into the subcutaneous tissue layer between the skin and the muscle.

Guidelines

Service Provider

As a service provider, Hireup will:

• Work with the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) to determine the support they require from Hireup, and determine what documentation is required.
• Determine areas of subcutaneous injection support that are within the scope of practice for a Support Worker to provide.
• Regularly review the MAF and/or diabetes management plan to ensure the information provided is the most up to date and appropriate.
• Provide Support Workers with written procedures for the Provision of Subcutaneous Injections, in conjunction with the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) and their treating Health Professional.
• Ensure Support Workers have access to support plans and ensure these plans are only updated by a registered and relevant health professional.
• Identify areas of education and training for Support Workers.
• Provide Support Workers with appropriate training and assessment to ensure the safe provision of subcutaneous injection administration, including regular supervision.
• Provide Support Workers with access to personal hygiene guidelines. 

Support Worker

A Support Worker MAY:

• Perform any task that is listed on the plan, apart from those that must be completed by a health professional. If concerned or unsure, talk to the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable), and contact the Hireup support office for support.
• Access supervision outside of scheduled supervision timeframes by contacting Hireup directly.

A Support Worker MUST: 

• Complete online training modules provided by Hireup within the allocated time frame unless otherwise specified by Hireup.
• Follow the support plan as provided and raise any concerns with the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) immediately, as well as notify Hireup.
• Administer subcutaneous insulin as per the Client’s diabetes management plan and/or medication authority form.
• Be aware of the risks associated with altering the dose of a medication.
• Be aware that they must ensure the proper use of medication.
• NOT give any medications to a Client that has not been ordered for that Client.
• NOT give any medications that are expired.
• NOT change any part of the plan or deviate from the plan provided.
• NOT calculate any doses of subcutaneous insulin without prior written approval from Hireup.
• NOT change any doses of subcutaneous insulin.
• Document the administration of medication as per the Client’s record keeping.
• Report any issues or concerns arising from the delivery of subcutaneous injections (such as change in skin colour or swelling at the injection site, incorrect dosage administration, refused or missed medication) to the Client, (or their Account Manager where applicable) and/or their health professional immediately, followed by an incident report to Hireup once safe to do so.
• Report any issues or concerns arising from the use of sharps, including sharps disposal, to the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) and/or their health professional immediately, followed by an incident report to Hiruep once safe to do so.
• Identify any gaps in knowledge and report these to Hireup for further advice.

Client

A Client MUST:

• Provide Hireup with an honest and accurate account of their support needs.
• Provide a support plan to Hireup that outlines their specific subcutaneous injection support requirements, completed by an appropriate, registered health professional.
• Provide Support Workers with access to an appropriate sharps disposal container.
• Have the plan reviewed by an appropriate, registered health professional when changes occur. At a minimum, the plan should be reviewed every 12 months unless otherwise indicated on the plan.
• Advise Hireup of any changes to support needs, requirements or the medication authority form and/or diabetes management plan.
• Report any concerns regarding Support Worker’s capability in providing subcutaneous injection support to Hireup for further advice.