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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. Prepare stress testing equipment
   • Check and confirm availability of materials
   • Check equipment for good working order in accordance with organisation procedures and manufacturer guidelines
3. Prepare clientfor stress testing
   • Greet client courteously and identify self
   • Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedure
   • Obtain, interpret and accurately record personal and clinical information in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Review client medical history and address pre-existing conditions within scope of own job role
   • Provide complete and accurate information in easily understood language regarding the stress test procedure to client
   • Provide client with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss areas of concern
   • Obtain consent following ethical and legal requirements
4. Attach electrodes for stress test
   • Maintain client privacy and dignity throughout procedure
   • Follow standard infection control procedures
   • Prepare client’s skin for electrode placement as required
   • Position client correctly and comfortably and place electrodes in accordance with client needs and current standards
   • Attach blood pressure cuff correctly to the client
5. Assist medical officer during stress test
   • Ensure supervising medical officer is present prior to commencement of test
   • Follow medical officer instruction during test
   • Record blood pressure and 12 lead electrocardiography (ECG) whilst client is supine and standing
   • Record and monitor 12 lead ECG and blood pressure during exercise and post exercise in accordance with policies and procedures
   • Identify and report signs of client discomfort, distress or adverse reaction to the medical officer in attendance and check equipment for true reading
   • Suspend or stop the test in response to adverse client reaction
   • Inform and reassure client, as appropriate, throughout the procedure
   • Maintain communication with the client throughout procedure
6. Complete stress test
   • Remove stress test leads and electrodes from client following correct procedure
   • Store stress test leads in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
   • Dispose of disposable stress test electrodes and other materials in accordance with waste management procedures
   • Provide client with assistance as required, on completion of the procedure
   • Complete, print and present report to cardiologist for review

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 medical officer instructions, established procedures, safety requirements and infection control guidelines and produced at least 3 different diagnostic stress test results from 3 different people

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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 for stress testing, and how these are applied in organisations, including:

children in the workplace

duty of care

informed consent

mandatory reporting

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

work role boundaries (and limitations)

work health and safety

standard infection control requirements

client factors that affect stress testing, including:

physical limitations

respiratory function

features, function and use of holter monitor equipment, including:

pre-checking procedures

electrical safety requirements

common problems and how to respond

routine maintenance requirements

sources of interference:

client

equipment

quality requirements for a stress test

anatomy and physiology relevant for performance of stress testing and interpretation:

basic pharmacology related to cardiac function

recognition of life threatening cardiac rhythm abnormalities

complications and contraindications for clients undergoing stress testing

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