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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Receive and prepare client
   • Greet client, confirm identity, correlate with identification band, client notes, consent form and follow other identification procedures according to organisation policy
   • Acknowledge accompanying relatives and carers sensitively and appropriately
   • Obtain verbal confirmation of surgical procedure and location if applicable
   • Note any client factors that impact on their care
   • Complete preparation tasks or check that these have been completed by others and provide clear information to client
   • Monitor the client’s safety, physical and emotional wellbeing through continual observation
   • Identify, record and immediately report any variations, discrepancies and changes to the client, their documentation or their wishes to the anaesthetist and other relevant personnel
   • Label client property and store securely in accordance with organisation policy
3. Attach and detach equipment
   • Select routine monitoring and other equipment in accordance with anaesthetist’s preference
   • Prepare skin and attach correctly, following infection prevention and control procedures
   • Set equipment in operation and confirm functioning
   • Carefully detach equipment with minimum risk of damage to client, staff or equipment, once the anaesthetist indicates that it is no longer required
   • Clean and restore equipment ready for reuse
4. Provide assistance with insertion of intravenous cannulation
   • Liaise with anaesthetist to confirm requirements
   • Observe client behaviour and respond to situations where support is required
   • . Provide optimum conditions to facilitate access
   • Select, prepare and provide anaesthetic medical officer with required equipment in an aseptic manner
   • Following insertion, adequately and safely secure the device
   • Dispose of waste/sharps in accordance with waste management policies and infection control guidelines
5. Assist with transfer of clients
   • Plan to transfer client into procedural/operating room according to operational requirements
   • Ensure relevant personnel and client are aware of the actions to be performed
   • Detach equipment/infusions not required from the client before the transfer takes place
   • Ensure equipment attached to the client is safely and correctly adjusted during transfer
   • Employ safe moving and handling techniques during client transfer
   • Ensure movement is conducted safely and client discomfort minimised
   • Correctly re-connect and adjust equipment/infusions on completion of transfer, as necessary
   • Maintain client’s dignity during transfer
6. Assist with positioning of clients
   • Inform client of positioning procedures to be completed, and seek his/her cooperation when appropriate
   • Position client in consultation with other health care professionals
   • Ensure all relevant equipment is available, is functioning correctly and is correctly attached/placed in accordance with the anaesthetist’s and surgeon’s preferences and the individual needs of the client
   • Ensure client is protected from injury in collaboration with other relevant health professionals
   • Obtain assistance to position client when necessary
   • Observe any abnormal responses and report any action required to be taken to the anaesthetist

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established technical, infection control and safety procedures to receive, prepare, transfer and position at least 10 different clients for procedures involving anaesthesia

placed patients in all of the following positions:

prone

lateral

lithotomy

supine

Trendelenburg

reverse Trendelenburg

used the following equipment correctly:

beds

theatre trolley

operating table

patient handling equipment, including specialised equipment

wheelchairs

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national, state/territory) for client preparation, and how these are applied in organisations:

codes of practice

duty of care

infection prevention and control

informed consent

mandatory reporting

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

work health and safety (WHS), manual handling and safe client transfer and positioning techniques

function and use of surgical safety lists

client drains and traction attachments

pre-medications and their effects relevant to providing assistance in anaesthesia

anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology factors that impact client positioning and equipment interface for different client groups

medical terminology specific to client procedures:

preparation

attachment/detachment of equipment

positioning

transfer

clinical documentation and handover, including World Health Organisation Surgical safety checklist

tasks involved in client preparation for surgery including:

premedications/routine medications

antithromboembolytic devices

removal of personnel items

toileting

fasting

pathology testing

clinical measurements

radiological investigations

prewarming

surgical site preparation

how to attach routine monitoring and equipment, including:

electrocardiography (ECG)

non-invasive blood pressure cuff

pulse oximetry

gas analyers

antithrombembolytic devices

diathermy plate

warming devices

client padding/protection

intravenous access techniques & equipment used

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