Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to complete preparation, general assistance and follow up tasks that support health professionals in the delivery of care to clients.
This unit applies to health care workers who work under the direct or indirect supervision of a health professional in medical practices and other care facilities.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Prepare environment and equipment | 1.1 Obtain and clarify instructions from health professional or according to organisation procedures 1.2 Follow standard procedures for infection control 1.3 Assess environment for suitability 1.4 Gather, prepare and check readiness of equipment and consumables prior to use 1.5 Confirm readiness and availability of emergency equipment, medications and supplies as appropriate for procedure |
2. Prepare client | 2.1 Read client information and confirm client identity in accordance with organisation procedures 2.2 Clearly communicate information to client and confirm their understanding 2.3 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns 2.4 Obtain agreement from the client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures 2.5 Check for contraindications to procedure according to direction and confirm client’s status within scope of own job role 2.6 Assist with positioning client for procedure ensuring client comfort and accessibility according to safe manual task procedures and health professional’s instructions 2.7 Recognise and respond appropriately to client needs for reassurance |
3. Follow health professional directions | 3.1 Respond to requests for assistance according to workplace protocols and within the scope of own job role 3.2 Monitor client’s condition as directed and within scope of own job role 3.3 Report abnormal observations or client reactions to health professional immediately, in line with directions from the health professional 3.4 Deal with adverse incidents as per workplace protocols and directions from health professional 3.5 Accurately document procedure in client’s medical record under supervision of the health professional in line with protocols and confidentiality requirements |
4. Complete follow up tasks | 4.1 Assist, advise and instruct client in accordance with practitioner instructions 4.2 Monitor client for signs of adverse reaction for appropriate time period as directed and within scope of own job role 4.3 Advise and instruct client as per organisation protocol and in line with health professional’s instructions 4.4 Clean and dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures 4.5 Clean work area and dispose of waste in line with practice protocols and infection control procedures 4.6 Store equipment and consumables in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures |
Evidence of Performance
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, procedures and infection control and safety requirements to provide assistance in delivery of care under the direction of a health professional for the following 5 procedures:
dressing of wounds not involving scheduled medication wound care
suture and staple removal
removal of plasters
application of bandaging, splints and slings
set up and monitoring of nebulisation without medication
followed established protocols, procedures, infection control and safety requirements to provide assistance to a health professional who is undertaking:
pap tests
plastering
physical examination
minor operations
Evidence of Knowledge
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 supporting the health professional in the delivery of care, including:
duty of care
informed consent, what it means, and the limitations of obtaining consent by workers who are not health professionals
records management
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
industry standards
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
risk management considerations
work health and safety
manual task safety procedures
standard infection control requirements for clinical procedures:
hand washing
use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
avoiding contact with bodily fluids
needle stick injury considerations
waste disposal
how to assist with the maintenance of surgical asepsis and the reasons for maintaining a sterile field
how to assist with the maintenance of surgical asepsis and the reasons for maintaining a sterile field
procedures, equipment and terminology used for commonly occurring care procedures undertaken by health professionals, including:
dressing of wounds not involving scheduled medication wound care
suture and staple removal
pap tests
plastering/removal of plasters
physical examination
application of bandaging, splints and slings
set up and monitoring of nebulisation without medication
minor operations
types of information included in client medical records and rationale for these, including:
procedures detail – name, date, time
name of supplies used including batch and lot number and expiry date, if applicable
details of procedure
site of procedure
results of procedure
any adverse effects or incidents
advice or instructions given
information collected regarding client’s current health status, physical and social function
medical assistant’s signature or initials
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
client information and medical records
disposable gloves
hand hygiene facilities
equipment and consumables needed for specific procedures, including:
bandage scissors
cleaning agents
dressing packs – basic, for skin lesion
dressings, swabs and bandages
examination couch with sheets or disposable covers
flow meter for oxygen cylinder
moisture proof sheets (blueys)
nebulisation mask and bowl (adult and child sizes)
oxygen tubing
pap testing equipment
patient gown
plaster of paris and padding
plaster saw
sharps container
simulated wound with removable sutures and staples
skin cleansing solution
splinting material
stainless steel dressing trolley
staple remover, stitch cutting blade, stitch removal scissors
suture material
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
interaction with clients
integration of situations requiring problem solving
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |