Medication assistance vs. administration

As an HCA you may ASSIST a client who can self-direct their medication — but you may not ADMINISTER medication unless the task is currently delegated to you by an RN for that specific client.

1. 1Assistance (allowed): reminding, opening containers, handing the client their own medication, steadying their hand — the client stays in control and takes it themselves.
2. 2Administration (not allowed without delegation): putting medication in the client's mouth, injecting, applying to broken skin, or deciding dose/timing for a client who cannot self-direct.
3. 3Nurse delegation: some administration tasks can be delegated by an RN — only after you complete Nurse Delegation Core training, and only for that specific client with a current delegation.
4. 4The care plan controls the specific case: it should state whether the client receives assistance or delegated administration.

The line is about who is in control. If the client directs the task and physically takes the medication, it is assistance. If you perform the task, it is administration and requires current RN delegation plus completed delegation training.