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

This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Radiation and magnetic field safety requirements must be demonstrated in the workplace

It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

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

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 the 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 the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other health service units of competency is encouraged

Resources required for assessment include:

access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place

simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

relevant organisation policy, protocols and procedures

Method of assessment may include:

Observation in the workplace

Written assignments/projects

Case study and scenario analysis

Questioning

Role play simulation

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:

Client confidentiality and privacy requirements

Infection control requirements for specialist cleaning in a medical imaging environment

Knowledge required to provide a description of a range of medical imaging processes, what they are used for, the procedure and length of time to undertake the procedure and the images produced by each procedure, including:

general radiography

mammography

fluoroscopy

CT scanning

MRI scanning

ultrasound

angiography

bone densitometry

Own work role and responsibilities

Personal radiation safety requirements in the medical imaging environment, including:

radiation protection principles

awareness of the hierarchy of control measures

responsibilities of employees and employers under relevant regulations and codes

emergency procedures

use and care of personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment safety signs and their meaning

Occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements within the medical imaging environment, including personal safety requirements in an MRI environment and hierarchy of MRI field control measures

Quality requirements associated with the maintenance of a medical imaging environment

Relevant policies and protocols of the organisation in relation to aspects of medical imaging in own work role, including:

stock maintenance

specialist cleaning

set-up

Stock requirements for medical imaging

Set-up requirements in a medical imaging environment

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:

Adhere to own work role and responsibilities

Apply appropriate and accurate medical and radiology terminology to medical imaging processes and in communication with clients and colleagues

Apply communication skills required to:

provide easily understood information about equipment issues

understand instructions and ask questions as required

Apply literacy skills required to:

complete checklists or forms with regard to cleaning processes

read and interpret manufacturer requirements and organisational procedures

Apply teamwork skills

Follow organisation policies and protocols

Liaise and report to appropriate person

Operate within infection control and OHS requirements, including personal safety requirements in an MRI environment and hierarchy of MRI field control measures

Operate within personal radiation safety requirements, including:

following required radiation protection and safety procedures

complying with radiation safety signs

seeking advice and further direction when faced with unexpected situations

using and caring for personal protective equipment and personal monitoring equipment

Set up equipment according to scope of responsibility

Undertake safe cleaning of medical imaging equipment according to manufacturer's requirements, infection control requirements and other OHS requirements

Undertake maintenance of stock and stock levels in medical imaging

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.

Supervision refers to:

Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position

The nature of supervision is flexible, underpinned by organisation protocols and may be conducted by various means, including:

in person

through use of electronic communications media, such as telephone or video conferencing, where appropriate and the task allows

Nature of supervision will be determined by factors, such as:

the task maturity of the person being supervised

issues related to client condition

the need to correct and develop non-clinical aspects, such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, complexity of the task at hand and other factors supporting the provision of services and working within a team

A person under supervision may not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency of supervision will be determined by the designated supervisor in the light of factors outlined above

Medical imaging equipmentmay include:

Equipment required for the following procedures:

general radiography

mammography

fluoroscopy

CT scanning

MRI scanning

ultrasound

angiography

bone densitometry

Darkroom facilities

Work stations and digitisers

Infection control requirements may include:

Use of appropriate cleaning chemicals

Use of appropriate personal protective equipment

Appropriate handling of sharps

Appropriate handling of body products

Effective personal protection, such as hand washing

Organisation protocols may include:

Stock requisition protocols

Stock rotation protocols

Nature of stock appropriate for handling by medical imaging assistants, e.g. general supplies rather than interventional radiology supplies

Medical imaging supplies may include:

Film supplies

Chemistry supplies

Radiographic stocks

Other client and process needs may include:

Awareness of drainage lines during transfer and movement

Awareness of intravenous lines during transfer and movement

Dealing with sharps

Dealing with biological waste

Radiation protection principles may include

A hierarchy of measures, including:

avoidance of exposure, where practicable

adoption of safe work practices (e.g. closing doors)

and where other means of controlling exposure are not practicable, the use of personal protective equipment

Awareness of 'controlled' or 'supervised' areas with appropriate working rules

Personal protective equipment in a medical imaging environment may include:

Personal radiation monitor and dosimeter

Lead/rubber apron

Lead thyroid collars

Lead gloves

Face shielding

Gloves and gowns