The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols

Method of assessment

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

Observation of work activities when performing electroencephalography (EEG)

Observation of simulation and/or role play when performing electroencephalography (EEG)

Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care

Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses

Recognition of relevant life/work experience

Questioning, written assessments/projects, e-learning can be used to assess knowledge

Authenticated reports of experience in performing electroencephalography (EEG) (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)

Training records associated with first aid, OH Safety training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units:

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with:

HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status

Holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Anatomy and physiology relevant for EEG interpretation, including neurological disorders

Basic pharmacology related to neurological function

Complications and contraindications for clients undergoing EEG procedure, in particular related to activation procedures

Concepts of electronics and physics relevant to the performance of an EEG and the EEG machine

Confidentiality requirements of client information

Derivations, montage design and type, and machine settings, including understanding of when and how to change them

EEG rhythm disturbance and appropriate test alterations

Electrical safety requirements

Emergency procedures in the event of complications relevant in the performance of an EEG

Infection control policies, including standard and additional precautions, in relation to neurophysiology testing procedures

International 10/20 system as standard for electrode placement, and modified systems

Medical terminology an EEG

Normal EEG rhythms and abnormal EEG activity

Protocols for EEG procedure

Purpose of EEG tests eg: diagnostic, prognostic, classification of events

Routine maintenance policy and procedures for equipment

Units of measurement

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply knowledge of boundaries of responsibilities and refer problems to supervisor, neurologist or other appropriate health professional

Communicate effectively with clients/carers in relation to the procedure and manage clients' and/or carers' anxiety level

Comply with policies and procedures including those of OHS and infection control

Correctly place and attach electrodes

Identify and respond to contraindications before and during test

Identify results which may require immediate action for client management or infection control

Identify steps that must be taken to ensure equipment is safe for use

Safely produce a diagnostic EEG result

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Correctly attach electrodes and leads

Correctly identify and validate abnormal findings

Correctly operate an EEG and associated monitoring equipment

Correctly prepare skin

Deal with conflict

Identify an EEG recording result that is unsatisfactory for diagnostic purposes

Identify an EEG recording result which may require immediate medical attention

Manage the known common interferences in the production of a EEG recording

Measure for the placement of electrodes to achieve an EEG recording of diagnostic quality

Produce an EEG recording satisfactory for diagnostic purposes including ability to design montages and select machine parameters appropriately

Solve problems including the ability to use available resources

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Undertake basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Use computers relevant to own work role

Use reading and writing skills-literacy competence required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation. The level of skill required involves reading and documenting clinical information and understanding complex policy and procedure manuals

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

Use numeracy skills including the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations, recording stock levels, statistical information and skills related to technical equipment

Use oral communication skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation, including skills in:

asking questions

clarifying workplace instructions when necessary

listening to and understanding workplace instructions

literacy in English or a community language, depending on client group and organisation requirements

providing clear information

using effective verbal and non verbal communication skills with a range of internal and external persons

Work with others and display empathy with client and relatives

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Equipment and material may include:

EEG machine; digital, analogue, portable, standard, ambulatory, video and audio

Polygraphic equipment; ECG, EMG, EOG machines, respiration, movement and tremor monitors

Electrodes eg caps, disc, mushroom

Head box

Photic stimulator

Chair

Bed

Additional - accessories, toys, other stimuli

Gels

Electrode pastes

Tape measure

Video cassette recorder and camera

Resuscitation equipment

Environment may include:

Neurophysiology department

Wards

Operating theatre

Private neurologist's rooms

Intensive care units

Client details may include:

Referral letter/request

Reason for study/referral

Medical history

Address and telephone number

Date of birth and age

Medications

Client's presenting condition

Date of test

Date of previous test

In care client/out of care client

Clients' expectations

Test requested

Referring doctor address and telephone number

Clients must include:

Neonates

Infants

Children

Adolescents

Adults

Elderly

Client medical history may include:

Event/s leading to referral

Cardiac disorder

Respiratory disorder

Vascular disorder

Neurological disorder

Infectious diseases

Epilepsy type and frequency, and date of last seizure

Psychiatric and behavioural disorders

Developmental disorder

Metabolic disorder

Medications

Action in response to client's medical history may include:

Omission of activation procedure/s

Additional activation procedure

Alteration of EEG procedure time

Personal protective equipment may include:

Gloves

Mask

Goggles

Gown

Other monitoring equipment may include:

ECG monitor

Respiration

Actogram

EMG

Oximetry

Movement sensors

Integrity of electrodes must include:

Ground

Reference

Active

Additional validation techniques must include:

Touch test (of electrodes)

Exchange electrodes

Replace electrodes

Low, and of similar value, impedances

Techniques applied must include:

Montages

Derivations

Sensitivity

Filter

Display speed

Activations

Accessory equipment used for activation procedures must include:

Photic stimulator and strobe light

Accessory equipment used for activation procedures may include:

Sleeping accessories, bed, covers, pillows, conducive environment

Blowing implements

Strobe light

Pattern stimulator

Reading material

Other - as appropriate to client history

Causes of changes throughout procedure must include:

EEG findings

Clinical events

Equipment

Environmental

Client's physiological and psychological state

Complications and severe reactions may include:

Seizure

Cardio-respiratory arrest

Abnormal EEG patterns which require immediate medical attention must include:

Continuous spiking or spike and wave

Hypsarrhythmic EEG

Frequent sub clinical seizure pattern

Status epilepticus

EEG finding consistent with infectious or reportable diseases/conditions eg Herpes Encephalitis, Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD) or CJD variant

Burst suppression and /or isoelectric EEG

Unilateral abnormality

Other conditions which may endanger the health and well being of the client

Information provided to client'sand carer's may include:

Appropriate follow up period with referring doctor to obtain results

Risks of injury to client following procedure
i.e. following sedation and/or sleep deprivation, and prior to follow up with Neurologist i.e. driving, swimming, riding bicycles, bathing