Assessor Resource

HLTHPS005
Handle medical specimens

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to handle specimens including organising off-site testing and performing certain on-site tests.

This unit applies to any health worker handling medical specimens. The scope of this unit does not include any specimen collection.

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.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element

1. Follow standard procedures for handling specimens

1.1 Apply standard precautions and codes of practice when handling medical specimens

1.2 Select and use equipment and instruments suited to the specimen being handled

1.3 Transfer specimen into appropriate container and seal properly, ensuring correct method of preservation has been used

1.4 Label containers accurately and store specimens in specified conditions

1.5 Follow established procedures in case of adverse incident

2. Organise off-site testing of specimens

2.1 Prepare specimens for transport according to specifications for packaging and transport

2.2 Check that specimen is accompanied by required accurately completed documentation

2.3 Arrange pick-up of specimen, if required, ensuring specimens are in correct location for pick-up

3. Conduct on-site testing of specimens

3.1 Use and maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

3.2 Conduct tests following practice protocols, standard precautions and industry standards

3.3 Accurately document results and report to appropriate personnel

3.4 Read and recognise significantly abnormal results and report appropriately and in a timely fashion

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 technical, infection control and safety procedures when handling at least 4 different specimen types

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 specimen handling (national, state/territory, local):

codes of practice

records management and labelling

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

work health and safety

standard infection control requirements:

hand hygiene

use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

avoiding contact with bodily fluids

needle stick injury considerations

waste disposal

different types of medical specimens and associated handling procedures, including those for:

urine

blood

oral fluids

skin scrapings

storage conditions for different types of specimen

transport requirements for different types of specimen

types of on-site tests and how they are conducted, including:

uriscreen

pregnancy tests

blood glucose level measurement

how to deal appropriately with adverse incidents

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:

real specimens

packaging

storage facilities

documented procedures for the candidate to follow

modelling of industry operating conditions, including integration of situations requiring problem solving

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element

1. Follow standard procedures for handling specimens

1.1 Apply standard precautions and codes of practice when handling medical specimens

1.2 Select and use equipment and instruments suited to the specimen being handled

1.3 Transfer specimen into appropriate container and seal properly, ensuring correct method of preservation has been used

1.4 Label containers accurately and store specimens in specified conditions

1.5 Follow established procedures in case of adverse incident

2. Organise off-site testing of specimens

2.1 Prepare specimens for transport according to specifications for packaging and transport

2.2 Check that specimen is accompanied by required accurately completed documentation

2.3 Arrange pick-up of specimen, if required, ensuring specimens are in correct location for pick-up

3. Conduct on-site testing of specimens

3.1 Use and maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

3.2 Conduct tests following practice protocols, standard precautions and industry standards

3.3 Accurately document results and report to appropriate personnel

3.4 Read and recognise significantly abnormal results and report appropriately and in a timely fashion

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 technical, infection control and safety procedures when handling at least 4 different specimen types

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 specimen handling (national, state/territory, local):

codes of practice

records management and labelling

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

work health and safety

standard infection control requirements:

hand hygiene

use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

avoiding contact with bodily fluids

needle stick injury considerations

waste disposal

different types of medical specimens and associated handling procedures, including those for:

urine

blood

oral fluids

skin scrapings

storage conditions for different types of specimen

transport requirements for different types of specimen

types of on-site tests and how they are conducted, including:

uriscreen

pregnancy tests

blood glucose level measurement

how to deal appropriately with adverse incidents

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:

real specimens

packaging

storage facilities

documented procedures for the candidate to follow

modelling of industry operating conditions, including integration of situations requiring problem solving

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
 
Apply standard precautions and codes of practice when handling medical specimens 
Select and use equipment and instruments suited to the specimen being handled 
Transfer specimen into appropriate container and seal properly, ensuring correct method of preservation has been used 
Label containers accurately and store specimens in specified conditions 
Follow established procedures in case of adverse incident 
Prepare specimens for transport according to specifications for packaging and transport 
Check that specimen is accompanied by required accurately completed documentation 
Arrange pick-up of specimen, if required, ensuring specimens are in correct location for pick-up 
Use and maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions 
Conduct tests following practice protocols, standard precautions and industry standards 
Accurately document results and report to appropriate personnel 
Read and recognise significantly abnormal results and report appropriately and in a timely fashion 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTHPS005 - Handle medical specimens
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

HLTHPS005 - Handle medical specimens

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: