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

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Relevant policies and procedures manuals, legislation and standards

Organisation's mission statement, strategic and business plan

Organisation charts

Floor plans

Instructions for the use of equipment

Specific instructions for staff

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

Interview and questioning

Authenticated portfolio/log book

Supporting statement of supervisor(s)

Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning

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 can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged

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:

Demonstrated knowledge of ramifications of infections control breaches

Demonstrated knowledge of the ramifications of breaches of confidentiality, policies and legislation

Emergency manual

Infection control guidelines

Local policy and procedures

Policy, regulatory, legislative and legal requirements based upon:

Privacy Act

Freedom of Information Act

individual rights and equal employment opportunity

Principles and practices of confidentiality

Principles and practices of duty of care Workplace health and safety

Principles and practices of ethics and values

Principles of access and equity

Rejection criteria

Underpinning values and philosophies in the specimen collection area

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:

Carry out work in accordance with relevant organisation policy, legislative requirements, industrial awards and agreements and in-house standard operating procedures (SOP's)

Identify and report workplace hazards and poisons as applied to broad WHS area

Identify own responsibilities within the workplace

Refer issues identified outside scope of responsibility to authorised person

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

Use numeracy skills ranging from the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division to recording numbers

Use oral communication skills and language competence required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation, including skills in:

asking questions

providing clear information

listening to and understanding workplace instructions

clarifying workplace instructions when necessary

literacy in English or a community language, depending on client group and organisation requirements

Use problem solving skills including ability to use available resources

Use reading and writing skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation at a level of skill that may range from the ability to understand symbols used in WHS signs, to reading workplace safety pamphlets or procedure manuals, to reading labels and handling chemicals

Use literacy support available in the workplace that may range from having access to support or assistance from expert/mentor/supervisor, to having no communication supports available

Use time management strategies to set priorities

Work in a safe manner

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.

Contexts may include:

Statutory framework within which work takes place

Stakeholders and representatives may include:

Doctors

Nurses

Pathologists

Phlebotomists

Laboratory staff

Medical scientists

Departments may include:

Cytology

Immunology/serology

Histology

Cytogenetics

Media/sterilization

Endocrinology

Microbiology

Haematology

Biochemistry

Neuropathology

Transfusion medicine

Transmission medicine

Underpinning values and philosophy may include:

Customer service

Teamwork

Ethics and confidentiality

Consent to treatment

Laboratory accreditation

Quality improvement

WHS

Compliance with infection control standards and guidelines

Work environment may include:

Hospital

Collection centres

Nursing homes

Mobile collection units

Hospitals

Industrial workplaces

Research institutions

Sporting facilities

Universities

Public or private laboratory

Facilities may include:

Hospital

Private laboratory

Major responsibilities may include:

Confidentiality

Client identification

Labelling of specimen

Transport of specimen

Client interaction

Operating machinery

Testing procedures

Quality control

Organisation's underpinning values and philosophy will include:

A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service

Ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including cultural, physical, religious, economic and social

Provision of accessible services for disabled clients

Different cultural and social contexts

The needs of indigenous Australians

The needs of people from non-English speaking backgrounds

Needs of specific religious groups