Medicines - Methotrexate A High Risk Medicine Awareness for Care Staff Level 2/3

Methotrexate Awareness (High Risk Medicine)​ Level 2/3

Awareness for Care Staff in Residential Care and Residential Nursing Care

Suitable for:​

✔ Care assistants / support workers​

✔ Senior carers / team leaders​

✔ New starters as part of medicines awareness​

✔ Refresher training for experienced staff​

✔ Mixed staff groups (non-nursing)​

Presentation, Handout, Medication Error Scenarios Questions, Knowledge Check End of Session Questions, Trainer Aide Answer Key

Presentation includes a case scenario and model actions.

All files editable.


This is an awareness session, not clinical training​

You are not expected to manage treatment decisions, but you are expected to notice problems, follow safe procedures and escalate concerns promptly.


Overall Aim: The aim of this training is to ensure that health and social care staff working in adult care settings have the knowledge and confidence to support the safe use of methotrexate, recognise early signs of harm, prevent medication errors—particularly dosing errors—and take appropriate action to protect residents from avoidable risk.​

Learning Objectives:

Explain what methotrexate is and why it is prescribed​

Recognise why methotrexate is considered a high-risk medicine​

Identify common and serious side effects​

Understand key drug and lifestyle interactions​

Know what to monitor and when to escalate concerns​

Follow safe handling and administration principles

Presentation (36 Slides)

Level 2–3 Awareness Level​
Focus of the Outline​
What It Does NOT Go Into​
Overall Aim​
Learning Objectives​
What Is Methotrexate?​
Why Is Methotrexate High Risk?​
Once Weekly Dosing – A Critical Safety Issue​
How Methotrexate Works​
Common Side Effects Staff May Notice​
Serious Side Effects – Red Flags​
Monitoring and Blood Tests​
Key Drug Interactions​
Alcohol and Lifestyle Considerations​
Folic Acid – Why Residents Take It​
Safe Handling in Care Settings​
Staff Responsibilities and Accountability​
What To Do If a Medication Error Occurs​
Safeguarding and Professional Duty of Care​
Case Study / Scenario and Questions​
Case Study - What Signs Might Staff Notice?​
Case Study - What Actions Should Be Taken?​
Key Messages to Remember​
References and Further Information​

Word Documents

Handout
Knowledge Check Questions (Short answer questions and Multiple Choice)
Trainer Aide Answer Key

HSC Training Link
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