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:

Assessment must establish acquisition of Essential Knowledge across the Range Statement outlined in HLTAMBAS501A Conduct clinical assessment prior to assessment of skills application for this unit

Skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory/ practical)

After successful completion of initial assessment, further assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

The application of skills and knowledge described in this competency unit should be assessed in conjunction with the application of knowledge and skills identified in HLTAMBAS501A Conduct clinical assessment

Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge and skills identified for this competency unit before undertaking independent workplace application

Candidates must provide evidence of their ability to apply all clinical competencies consistently (over a period, usually of 12 months) as part of supervised clinical 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

Resource implications:

Access to appropriate workplace and simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can be conducted

Access to equipment and resources normally used in the workplace

Method of assessment:

Evidence must include observation of performance in the work environment and in a simulated work setting

Observations, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment

Demonstration over a period of time to ensure consistency of performance

Related units:

This unit is to be assessed in conjunction with the following competency unit which identifies underpinning knowledge required for assessment of client needs and delivery of client care at this level:

HLTAMBAS501B Conduct clinical assessment

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:

Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology as per Essential Knowledge defined in unit: HLTAMBAS501A Conduct clinical assessment

An understanding of trauma causes and effects

An understanding of common environmental emergencies

Protocols and ambulance equipment

Organisation policies for standard client care

Understanding of client psychology

Significance of assessment findings

Receiving facility requirements or how to access these requirements

Relevant legal and industrial requirements

Organisation administrative policies and procedures

Function of documentation being provided

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Demonstrate:

integrated assessment and implementation of procedures needed for client care under a variety of conditions and circumstances

accurate completion of all documentation, supplying all relevant client information to receiving facility staff under a variety of conditions and circumstances, including routine, non-routine and emergency

Provide clear explanations of reasons for intervention, basis for assessment, problems encountered and solutions found

Apply knowledge to identify, diagnose and manage common pathophysiologies

Apply knowledge and understanding to familiar and unfamiliar situations.

Apply clinical problem solving processes as they apply to standard client care

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:

Use oral communication skills (language competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisation, including:

asking questions

active listening

asking for clarification from client or other persons at the scene

negotiating solutions

acknowledging and responding to a range of views

Use written communication skills (literacy competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by organisation, including:

reading and understanding:

incident reports

case management materials

manufacturers' specifications for the use of materials and equipment

preparing handover reports for receiving agency staff

Use interpersonal skills including:

working with others

empathy with client and relatives

relate to persons from differing cultural, social and religious backgrounds

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.

Client assessment must include but is not limited to:

Integration of anatomy and physiology, primary, vital sign and secondary surveys, including non-obvious clinical signs, using applied clinical knowledge at the standard level of client care

Client assessment includes consideration of psychosocial, developmental and cultural considerations

Assessment based on a demonstrable and clearly thought out series of problem solving steps or linkages

Information that contributes to the assessment is collected and analysed

Main complaints are identified as a basis for systematic prioritised treatment

Client's medical history is referred to in the selection of treatment procedure

Clinical judgement must include but is not limited to:

Systematic evaluation of client assessment to interpret and make judgements regarding standard client care requirements

The use of evidence-based practice and local clinical practice guidelines/protocols

A treatment plan which can be reasonably justified in terms of the information available at the time

Medico-legal considerations

Primary survey must include, but is not limited to:

Dangers

Response

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Vital signs may include, but are not limited to:

Conscious state assessment e.g. Glasgow Coma Score, AVPU-alert, voice, pain, unconscious

Respiratory status assessment e.g. rate, rhythm, effort and breath sounds

Perfusion status assessment e.g. pulse, blood pressure, capillary refill and skin

Secondary survey may include, but is not limited to:

Systematic head to toe physical body examination

Assessment of time criticality as indicated by physiological status or pattern and mechanism of injury

Client history includes:

Pre-existing conditions

Allergies

Current medication or treatment

The integration of anatomy and physiology into standard client assessment, care and treatment must include but is not limited to:

Cardiovascular system

Respiratory system

Musculo-skeletal system

Endocrine system

Nervous system

Digestive system

Urinary system

Reproductive system

Integumentary system

Lymphatic system

Special senses

Assessment of consideration for psychosocial, developmental and cultural considerations must include, but is not limited to:

Geriatric clients

Obstetric clients

Paediatric clients

Mental health clients

Demonstration of assessment of client's main complaint must include but is not limited to the following conditions:

Kinematics of trauma

A compromised Integumentary System

Burns trauma

A medical or traumatic disorder of the Musculoskeletal system

Extremity trauma

Neurological insult

Mental health disorders

Metabolic disorders

Poisoning or overdose emergency

Cardio-vascular insult

Hypoperfusion

Immunological disorders

Respiratory disorders

Thoracic trauma

Abdominal disorders or trauma

Urogenital disorders or trauma

Gynaecological disorders

Medical or traumatic obstetric disorders

Genetic disorders

Medical or traumatic geriatric disorders

Medical or traumatic paediatric disorders

Treatment may include, but is not limited to:

Procedures approved by the Australian Resuscitation Council to the level of Advanced Life Support

Within any limits defined according to organisation policies and procedures

Situation involves a client in need and must include, but is not limited to:

Transfer of client with pre-diagnosed illness or injury

Transfer of client with sudden undiagnosed illness or injury

Management of client in trauma or with undiagnosed illness

Drug therapy used in the treatment of a client's condition may include, but is not limited to:

Standard pharmacological agents for the management of anaphylaxis, continuous recurrent seizures, narcotic overdose

Other medications as indicated by local ambulance clinical guidelines

Techniques, where client's condition indicates they would be of some benefit, may include, but are not limited to:

Airway management e.g. nasopharyneal airway, laryngeal mask airway, and laryngoscopy and magill forceps

Cardiac dysrhythmia interpretation and manual direct current counter shock

Other techniques as indicated by State/Territory ambulance clinical guidelines

Establishing a standard client management plan must include, but is not limited to:

Establishing priorities of care

Determining a client's time or transport criticality

Regular reassessment of the client.

Recognising and responding to changes to client's condition.

Reports may include, but are not limited to:

Oral or written reports

Client handover

Incident reports

Patient Care Record

Case management material

Client care implementation must include, but is not limited to:

Care is implemented at a level consistent with the level of expertise and authority to practice of the officer, within the limits of the organisation clinical practice guidelines/protocols.

The need for additional assistance is sought promptly when the client's condition or situation is beyond the scope or authority to practice of the attending officer

Infection control principles and practices are observed at all times for the safety of the client and attending officers

Client is lifted in accordance with the organisation WHS policies and procedures.

Persons authorised to receive confidential information may include, but are not limited to:

Medical personnel

Police Officers

Legal practitioners

Others, where approved as acting in the best interests of the client

Acts and regulations are those specified in each State/Territory that relate to:

Confidentiality and privacy

Freedom of information

Drug and poisons regulations

Health

Mental Health

Policy and procedures are organisation policies and procedures that relate to:

Documentation

Reporting of client medical information

Occupational Health and safety

Clinical Practice

Operational

Medico-legal