Assessor Resource

HLTMAMP409B
Handle specimens in a medical practice

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


The skills and knowledge addressed in this competency unit must be applied strictly in line with relevant State/Territory legislative and regulatory requirements

This competency unit describes the skills and knowledge required to handle specimens in a medical practice including organising off-site testing and performing certain on-site tests

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

Prerequisites

Not Applicable

Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills



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.

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

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

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

Method of assessment:

Assessment should involve written and/or oral examination as well as simulation, demonstration and production of simulated work samples

Students are also to be assessed during practice placement through supervisor reports, self-reflective journals and observation

Resource implications

Assessment requires access to:

scope of own medical assisting role

clinical procedures for medical assistants manual

RACGP Standards for General Practices

Australian and International Standards Applying to lab work

simulated general practice lab environment including range of equipment, eg centrifuge, and supplies, eg specimen containers, PPE and test ordering and reporting forms

simulated and/or sample specimens

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 holistically with other medical assisting units of competency

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.

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:

Acceptable storage conditions for various specimens

How to deal appropriately with adverse incidents

How to use and maintain medical equipment and supplies

Industry standards and codes of practice

Infection control

Legislation and industry standards regarding privacy, security and medical record documentation

Practice protocols

Proper waste disposal and cleaning procedures including handling spillages

Scope of own medical assisting role

Standard precautions

Various test procedures

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

Apply numeracy skills required to accurately:

interpret, record and relay test results

measure, eg volume, time and temperature (with high degree of accuracy)

Handle specimens correctly

Perform duties in a well-organised and timely fashion

Recognise significantly abnormal results

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

Use medical equipment safely and correctly

Use communication skills to:

interact appropriately with members of the health care team

interpret procedures and policies

document information appropriately in medical records

fill out forms correctly

relay information, using appropriate medical terminology and grammar

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.

Industry standards may include

RACGP Standards for General Practice

Australian and International Standards applying to lab work

Label may include

Client's name

Client's DOB

Client's identifier

Date

Time

Medical Assistant's name, signature or initials

Type of specimen

Location specimen taken from

Test required

Conditions may include

Temperature

Length of time

Exposure to light

Position, eg upright

Securely, where client details cannot be observed by unauthorised parties

Adverse incident may include

Breakage

Spillage

Needlestick or other injury

Deterioration of specimen

Cross-contamination

Documentation may include

In client's medical record

Forms used for ordering tests

Preparing specimens for transport may include

Packing fragile items appropriately

Placing in portable cooler (Esky) with cold packs

Tests may include

Chemical reagent strip urinalysis

Uriscreen

Pregnancy testing

Blood glucose level measurement (using glucometer)

Guthrie heel prick test

Centrifugation

Description of appearance, colour, odour

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 industry standards and codes of practice to handle medical specimens 
Use correct equipment and instruments to handle specimens 
Transfer specimen into appropriate container and seal properly, ensuring correct method of preservation has been used 
Label containers correctly and store specimens in specified conditions 
Follow correct procedures in case of adverse incident 
Prepare specimens for transport in line with specifications for packaging and transport 
Ensure specimen is accompanied by required documentation, completed correctly 
Arrange pick-up of specimen, if required, ensuring specimens are in correct location for pick-up 
Use and maintain equipment correctly in line with manufacturer's instructions 
Conduct tests following practice protocols, standard precautions and industry standards 
Document and report test results to appropriate personnel 
Recognise significantly abnormal results and report appropriately and in a timely fashion 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTMAMP409B - Handle specimens in a medical practice
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

HLTMAMP409B - Handle specimens in a medical practice

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: