Book excerpt: Basic Medication Administration Skills provides unlicensed assistive personnel with the basic knowledge and skills needed to perform medication administration safely and effectively under the clinical direction of the health care provider and supportive clinicians. The book is written specifically for a medication aide course or training for unlicensed direct care staff working in community settings such as those providing direct care for individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities, nursing assisting, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, residential care homes, assisted living facilities, home care, hospice, full-time residential programs, public and private schools, and physician's offices or practices.