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

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

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols

Method of assessment:

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

Observation of work activities when performing specialised procedures

Observation of simulation and/or role play when performing specialised procedures

Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care

Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses

Recognition of relevant life/work experience

Questioning, written assessments/projects, e-learning can be used to assess knowledge

Authenticated reports of experience in performing specialised procedures (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)

Training records associated with First Aid, OHS training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures

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

Related units:

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other health services 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:

Anatomy and physiology relevant for specialised sleep studies

Basic electrical knowledge and electrical safety requirements

Causes of the common trace interference and the appropriate remedies

Confidentiality requirements of client information

Emergency procedures in the event of a clinical emergency relevant in the performance of a diagnostic sleep study

General knowledge of infection control principles and their application

Identify artefacts and their source

Recognise normal waveforms relating to sleep onset and sleep stages

Routine maintenance policy and procedures for equipment

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply knowledge of boundaries of responsibilities and refer problems to supervisor or other appropriate health professional

Communicate effectively with clients/carers in relation to the procedure and manage clients' anxiety level

Comply with policies and procedures including those of OHS and infection control

Demonstrate all steps that must be taken to ensure equipment is safe and functioning correctly

Identify and manage all forms of interference with trace

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:

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Correctly anchor electrodes, sensors and leads

Correctly connect electrodes to headbox

Correctly operate computer hardware and associated monitoring equipment

Correctly prepare skin

Deal with conflict

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

Demonstrate basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Identify a sleep study trace that is unsatisfactory for diagnostic purposes

Manage the known common interferences in the production of a sleep study trace

Place and attach electrodes to achieve an EEG recording of diagnostic quality

Produce a sleep study trace satisfactory for diagnostic purposes

Solve problems including an ability to use available resources

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

Use numeracy skills may range from the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations, recording stock levels and statistical information

Use oral communication skills 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

effective verbal and non verbal communication with a range of internal and external persons

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

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 involves reading and documenting clinical information and understanding complex policy and procedure manuals

Work with others and display empathy with client and relatives

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.

Clients may include:

Infants

Children

Adolescents

Adults

Elderly

Action in response to client's pathology results may include:

Blood test and urine analysis for drug screening as requested by physician

Correct environment may include:

Quiet

Dark

Temperature controlled

Equipment and materials may include:

Sleep recording system

EEG electrodes

Conductive paste

Gauze

Tape

Personal protective equipment may include:

Gloves

Mask

Goggles

Gown

Sleep stages must include:

Wakefulness

Sleep onset

REM onset

Contraindicated behaviour may include:

Use of stimulating or other drugs eg caffeine, alcohol

Use of tobacco

Exercise

Non-compliance with procedure

Clinical emergencies may include:

Severe respiratory distress

Cardio-respiratory arrest

Post-procedure questionnaire may include:

Length of sleep

Amount of sleep

Amount of dreaming

Abnormal sensations eg feeling paralysed

Report must include:

Number and time of naps

Various latencies ie latency to sleep and to REM

Number of sleep onset REM episodes

Client's perception of nap

Total sleep time of previous night's PSG

Comparison of previous night's PSG sleep time with normal sleep time

Overall mean sleep latency

Total sleep in each nap

Number of REM naps