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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. Observe client
   • Read and interpret information in client records
   • Check client’s physiological parameters as directed
   • Identify deviations from acceptable limits, check equipment for true reading and report to the anaesthetist
   • Identify and respond to signs of client discomfort, distress or adverse reaction within role responsibility
3. Take measurements and samples
   • Select and prepare equipment suited to test or measurement being conducted
   • Prepare client according to requirements of test or measurement
   • Maintain aseptic technique during collection of body fluid for analysis
   • Accurately measure client’s fluid intake and output/loss
   • Perform measurement or take samples in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines and organisation policies and procedures
   • Determine quality of measurement or sample based on established procedures
4. Report measurements
   • Read test results and report to the anaesthetist
   • Promptly identify and report abnormal findings to the anaesthetist
   • Document results of measurement or ensure documentation is completed

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:

provided monitoring assistance to an anaesthetist during at least 5 procedures

followed established technical and infection control procedures to undertake each of the following clinical measurements and tests at least twice:

arterial blood gases

blood pressure

blood glucose level

circulation

electrocardiography (ECG)

12 lead ECG

haemoglobin

inspired/expired gases (Functional inspiratory oxygen (FiO2), Functional expiratory oxygen (FeO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), tidal volume (TV), inspiratory pressure, minute volume (MV), respiratory rate (RR), minimal alveolar concentration (MAC)

level of consciousness

neuromuscular function

oxygenation (oximetry, FiO2, partial pressure oxygen (PaO2)

pulse

respiration

temperature

fluid balance

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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 monitoring, and how these are applied in organisations:

codes of practice

duty of care

infection prevention and control

informed consent

mandatory reporting

manufacturer’s guidelines

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

work health and safety

clinical measurements undertaken by anaesthetic technicians:

purpose

how they are undertaken

normal results and variations from normal

implications of abnormal results for all of the following:

arterial blood gases

blood pressure

blood glucose level

peripheral perfusion/skin colour

haemodynamic (non-invasive blood pressure, invasive blood pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, pulse, heart rate, cardiac output)

dermatomes

ECG

12 lead ECG

haemoglobin

blood tests samples for urea and electrolytes (U&E), coagulation profile (coags), full blood count (FBC),

inspired/expired gases (FiO2, FeO2, ETCO2, TV, insp pressure, MV, RR, MAC)

level of consciousness clinical observation & entropy/bispectral index monitoring)

neuromuscular function

oxygenation (oximetry, FiO2, PaO2

pain assessment

temperature

acid base balance

heart & lung sounds

fluid balance monitoring requirements, including:

urine

gastrointestinal

blood

irrigation

intravenous

intra-arterial

clinical documentation requirements

principles of biomedical science for anaesthesia:

electrical potential

fibreoptics

hydrostatic/atmospheric/oncotic pressure

oscillometry

photometrics/photoelectrics

thermistor

transducers

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