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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Prepare for clinical measurement
   • Determine clinical measurement requirements and own role limitations from review of client information
   • Assess environment for suitability to conduct a clinical measurement
   • Follow standard procedures for infection control
   • Gather, prepare and check readiness of equipment and consumables prior to use
   • Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedures
   • Clearly communicate measurement procedures and purpose to client
   • Collect and accurately document client information as required
   • Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns
   • Obtain agreement from the client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures
3. Obtain clinical measurements
   • Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures
   • Use equipment according to its purpose and operating instructions
   • Use appropriate manual techniques and adapt to suit specific client needs and issues that arise
   • Obtain valid, reliable and accurate results by following standard sequences and procedures
   • Read and document numerical and other measurement data
   • Identify non valid results and repeat procedures as required
   • Accurately record and report results in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures and confidentiality requirements
   • Communicate outcome of measurements clearly and simply to client if appropriate to do so
4. Finalise clinical measurement process
   • Assist, advise and instruct client in accordance with needs of specific test procedures
   • Clean, sterilise and/or dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures
   • Clean work area and dispose of waste in line with organisation protocols and infection control procedures
   • Store equipment and consumables in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established protocols, infection control and safety requirements to produce accurate, valid and reliable clinical measurements from at least 3 different clients

taken different types of clinical measurements including at least 3 of each of the following:

vital signs (blood pressure (BP), pulse, respirations, temperature)

body height, weight and circumference measurement (including body mass index (BMI) calculation)

blood glucose measurement

chemical reagent strip urinalysis

colour blindness testing

distance visual acuity testing

screening audiometry

spirometry

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations for taking clinical measurements (national, state/territory, local), including:

children in the workplace

duty of care

informed consent, what it means, and the limitations of obtaining consent by workers who are not health professionals

mandatory reporting

records management

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

industry standards

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

standard infection control requirements for clinical measurements:

hand washing

use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

avoiding contact with bodily fluids

sharps injury considerations

waste disposal

types of clinical measurements that may be taken by those supporting medical practitioners:

vital signs

body height, weight and circumference measurement (including BMI calculation)

colour blindness testing

distance visual acuity testing

screening audiometry

spirometry

clinical measurement procedures including:

terminology

sequencing for measurement

type of data produced, its recording and use

features and correct use of medical testing equipment:

sphygmomanometer

stethoscope

timing device

thermometer

peak flow meter and disposable mouth pieces

penlight

percussion (reflex) hammer

measuring tape

equipment for measuring height and weight

goose-neck lamp or other light source

types of information included in client medical records and rationale for these:

test details – name, date, time

name of supplies used including batch and lot number and expiry date, if applicable

results

adverse effects or incidents

advice or instructions given

information collected regarding client’s current health status, physical and social function

signature requirements

cultural and religious factors that impact on the approach to taking clinical measurements

anatomy and physiology to enable performance of clinical measurement to be accurate and of minimum risk to clients

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