Assessor Resource

PMAWHS320
Provide advanced first aid response

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to provide advanced first aid response, including life support.

This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to assess the situation, manage casualties, coordinate first aid activities until medical or other assistance arrives, and support other first aid providers.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with shift team members and other internal and external personnel, as appropriate.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

Assess the situation

Identify physical hazards and minimise according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and workplace procedures

Assess risks to first aider and others and determine response to ensure prompt control of situation

Ascertain and prioritise need for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required

Manage the casualty

Seek agreement for management of casualty injury/illness from appropriate person, where relevant

Determine welfare procedure and implement according to casualty needs

Control effects of injury and determine first aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation

Administer medication according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions and subject to casualty regime

Monitor and respond to casualty condition in a timely manner in accordance with effective first aid principles

Correctly operate life support equipment, where appropriate, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions

Finalise management according to casualty needs and first aid principles

Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance

Identify available resources and establish communication links with emergency management services and medical assistance personnel as required

Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources

Document provision of resources and recommend modifications

Monitor management of casualties in accordance with first aid principles and workplace procedures

Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to worksite evacuation procedures

Arrange support service for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with workplace principles and procedures

Communicate essential incident details

Maintain communication with relevant personnel using media and equipment

Communicate first aid information with other providers/carers to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures

Provide information calmly to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match casualty level of consciousness

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

assess and monitor casualty’s need for emergency services, medical assistance and other support

apply first aid management techniques

select and use first aid resources and equipment

identify hazards and risks to self, casualty and others and apply control measures

use electronic and manual communication systems

complete workplace forms

accurately document casualty conditions and treatment

coordinate communications, resources and incident management activities

communicate clearly and unambiguously with personnel under stress

interpret information about changing conditions, hazards and individuals’ needs, and make prompt decisions about appropriate action and allocation of resources.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisational procedures, including those covering:

safety, hazards and hazard control

incident, fire and accident

environmental protection

risk assessment/risk management

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

risks

appropriate risk controls

basic anatomy and physiology

respiratory/circulatory system

basic toxicology

types and application of medications used in first aid.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the demonstration of first aid response using appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear

may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.


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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

Assess the situation

Identify physical hazards and minimise according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and workplace procedures

Assess risks to first aider and others and determine response to ensure prompt control of situation

Ascertain and prioritise need for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required

Manage the casualty

Seek agreement for management of casualty injury/illness from appropriate person, where relevant

Determine welfare procedure and implement according to casualty needs

Control effects of injury and determine first aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation

Administer medication according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions and subject to casualty regime

Monitor and respond to casualty condition in a timely manner in accordance with effective first aid principles

Correctly operate life support equipment, where appropriate, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions

Finalise management according to casualty needs and first aid principles

Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance

Identify available resources and establish communication links with emergency management services and medical assistance personnel as required

Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources

Document provision of resources and recommend modifications

Monitor management of casualties in accordance with first aid principles and workplace procedures

Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to worksite evacuation procedures

Arrange support service for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with workplace principles and procedures

Communicate essential incident details

Maintain communication with relevant personnel using media and equipment

Communicate first aid information with other providers/carers to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures

Provide information calmly to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match casualty level of consciousness

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)

industry codes of practice and guidelines

environmental regulations and guidelines

Australian and other standards

licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Injuries and conditions managed

Injuries and conditions managed include one or more of the following:

abdominal injuries

allergic reactions

bleeding

burns (thermal, chemical, friction and electrical)

cardiac conditions

chemical contamination

cold injuries

crush injuries

dislocations

drowning

envenomation (snake, spider, insect and marine bites)

environmental conditions (hypothermia, dehydration and heat stroke)

epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions

eye injuries

fractures

head injuries

insect/marine bites

minor skin injuries

neck and spinal injuries

needle stick injuries

poisoning and toxic substances

respiratory management of asthma and/or choking

shock

smoke inhalation

soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations

substance abuse and illicit drugs

unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse

First aid management

First aid management includes the following:

administration of analgesic gases

administration of medications

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)

expired air resuscitation (EAR)

infection control

bleeding control

airway management

delivery of oxygen

care of unconscious

First aid management requires consideration of the following:

location and nature of the workplace

the environmental conditions (e.g. electricity, biological risks, weather and motor vehicle accidents)

location of emergency service personnel

the use and availability of first aid equipment and resources

infection control

allergies to medications

Medications include one or more of the following:

oxygen

pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with state and territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)

asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from first aid kit in accordance with state and territory legislation

severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime

heart attack - aspirin

First aid management must be documented and include, as appropriate, the following:

time

fluid intake/output

blood

vomit

faeces

urine

administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose

vital signs

First aid principles

Established first aid principles include the following:

checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger

checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation

Resources and equipment

Resources and equipment, appropriate to the risk, include one or more of the following:

blood pressure cuff

oxygen resuscitation/cylinders

defibrillation units

pressure bandages

thermometers

injections

backboards

stretchers

soft bag resuscitator

first aid kits

eyewash

thermal blankets

pocket face masks

rubber gloves

dressing

spacer device

cervical collars

Communication systems

Communication systems include one or more of the following:

mobile phones

satellite phones

HF/VHF radio

flags

flares

two-way radio

email

electronic equipment

other communication methods/equipment defined in organisation procedures

Hazards and risks

Hazards and risks must be identified and controlled.

Hazards include one or more of the following:

unavailable first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders and defibrillator)

bodily fluids

other hazards associated with casualty management process

heat, smoke, darkness, dust or other atmospheric hazards

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

structural hazards

structural collapse

equipment failures

industrial (machinery, equipment and product)

equipment or product mass

noise, rotational equipment or vibration

plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water)

limited head spaces or overhangs

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours

flammability and explosivity

hazardous products and materials

unauthorised/other personnel or bystanders

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

extreme weather

other hazards that might arise

Identifying risks requires consideration of specific hazards, including the following:

what level of harm can occur

how harm can occur (various chains of events that could result in harm from the hazard)

the likelihood that harm will occur

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

assess and monitor casualty’s need for emergency services, medical assistance and other support

apply first aid management techniques

select and use first aid resources and equipment

identify hazards and risks to self, casualty and others and apply control measures

use electronic and manual communication systems

complete workplace forms

accurately document casualty conditions and treatment

coordinate communications, resources and incident management activities

communicate clearly and unambiguously with personnel under stress

interpret information about changing conditions, hazards and individuals’ needs, and make prompt decisions about appropriate action and allocation of resources.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisational procedures, including those covering:

safety, hazards and hazard control

incident, fire and accident

environmental protection

risk assessment/risk management

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

risks

appropriate risk controls

basic anatomy and physiology

respiratory/circulatory system

basic toxicology

types and application of medications used in first aid.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the demonstration of first aid response using appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear

may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.

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
Identify physical hazards and minimise according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and workplace procedures 
Assess risks to first aider and others and determine response to ensure prompt control of situation 
Ascertain and prioritise need for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required 
Seek agreement for management of casualty injury/illness from appropriate person, where relevant 
Determine welfare procedure and implement according to casualty needs 
Control effects of injury and determine first aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation 
Administer medication according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions and subject to casualty regime 
Monitor and respond to casualty condition in a timely manner in accordance with effective first aid principles 
Correctly operate life support equipment, where appropriate, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions 
Finalise management according to casualty needs and first aid principles 
Identify available resources and establish communication links with emergency management services and medical assistance personnel as required 
Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources 
Document provision of resources and recommend modifications 
Monitor management of casualties in accordance with first aid principles and workplace procedures 
Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to worksite evacuation procedures 
Arrange support service for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with workplace principles and procedures 
Maintain communication with relevant personnel using media and equipment 
Communicate first aid information with other providers/carers to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures 
Provide information calmly to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match casualty level of consciousness 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAWHS320 - Provide advanced first aid response
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

PMAWHS320 - Provide advanced first aid response

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: