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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for clinical procedure
  2. Prepare client for clinical procedure
  3. Assist during the clinical procedure
  4. Conclude clinical procedures

Required Skills

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

Basic tissue pathology and histology

Clinical procedures and the sequence in which these procedures occur

Knowledge and understanding of relevant medical terminology

Reasons for keeping accurate records of medical conditions treatments and the administration of medications

Relevant anatomy and physiology to enable procedure performance to be accurate and of minimum risk to clients

Surgical asepsis and the reasons for maintaining a sterile field

Why medical emergencies may occur and the appropriate response including recognition of vital signs

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Provide timely and accurate assistant to the health care practitioner

Effectively communicate with both the health care practitioner and client

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

Ask questions

Clarify workplace instructions when necessary

Deal with conflict

Effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills with a range of internal and external persons

Operate equipment correctly and in accordance with manufacturers specifications

Prioritise tasks

Provide clear information

Read and document clinical information

Relate to a range of people from a range of cultural linguistic social and ethnic backgrounds and a range of physical and intellectual abilities

Select and prepare instruments and equipment as directed by the Health Care Practitioner

Use available resources and plan daily work routine

Work with others and display empathy with clients and carers

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must be conducted over a minimum of three different clinical procedures as listed in the range statement

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

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

Where for reasons of safety space or access to equipment and resources assessment takes place away from the work context the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible

Resource implications

Assessment requires access to

appropriate equipment

scenarios that reflect a range of clinical procedures that may be expected in the workplace

relevant organisation policy guidelines and treatment protocols

relevant legislative and regulatory documents

manufacturers specifications for the use and storage of equipment

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of clinical procedures that could be expected in the workplace

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace

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 andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units

This unit may be assessed independently but holistic assessment with other clinical units is encouraged


Range Statement

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.

Clinical procedures may include:

Advanced physical examination i.e. pap smear, PR

Complex sterile wound dressing

Ear lavage

Minor surgical operative procedure

Placement of naso-gastric tube

Urinary catheterisation

Health care practitioner may include:

Nurse practitioner

Medical practitioner/doctor/specialist

Environment assessment may include:

Adequate lighting

Health care practitioner's specified needs

Suitable climate

Suitable client privacy

Equipment may include:

Axillary crutches/forearm crutches

Bowel and clinical containers

Dressing instruments

Dressing platform/trolley

Examination bed

Hypodermic needles and syringes

Irrigating/antiseptic solutions

Client examination or procedure bed

Pen light torch

Personal protective equipment

Skin closure material (suture/staples)

Solution bowels

Sterile drapes

Sterile surgical instruments such as tissue clamps, scalpel, surgical scissors and tissue forceps

Stitch cutter/staple remover

Surgical dressing packs

Surgical gowns, gloves and masks

Surgical lighting

Topical dressings and bindings

Consumables may include:

Alcohol cleansing wipes

Bandages and dressing application aids

Cotton buds

Disposable gloves

Examination gowns

Half-sheet for draping

Hazard bags for infection control

Instrument cleaning supplies

Irrigation solution

Ophthalmic irrigation solution

Pre-packed commercial dressing packs

Sharps containers

Sterile gauze

Wound dressings

Confidentiality of client information may be insured by:

Adherence to Privacy Act

Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position

Legal and ethical requirements

Secure location for written records

Treatment room with privacy

Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:

Australian and State standards and legislation

Industry standards

Organisation procedures

Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures

Direct instructions from supervisor

Prepare client may include:

Correctly positioning

Performing surgical cleanse of the area

Performing a surgical prep

Removing clothing

Removing dressings and bindings

Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:

ADF Nursing Procedure Manual

ADF treatment protocols

Clinical standards (state and national)

Industry professional bodies standards

Industry standards (state and national)

Organisation policy directives

Privacy Act

Relevant Australian standards