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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 of a unit of competency.
2. The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element.
3. Apply theoretical concepts and principles in providing critical care nursing
   • Identify the person’s current health status and limitations and their medications and therapeutic regimes in the critical care setting with the person, family or carer
   • Identify factors impacting the person’s health status and report to the registered nurse significant alterations in the person’s health status
   • Identify and respond to the psychosocial needs of the person in the critical care environment
   • Identify and apply a systems approach to nursing care
4. Contribute to interdisciplinary health care team in caring for a person in the critical care environment
   • Identify role of specialist nursing and medical services in care of the person in the critical care environment and work effectively with others
   • Collaborate with interdisciplinary health care team in partnership with the person, family or carer to maintain continuity of nursing care planning
   • Identify factors relevant to the person’s situation, giving consideration to physical, psychological, social and economic impacts
   • Review care plan and data collected, and communicate to relevant members of the interdisciplinary health care team
   • Recognise the person’s choices and any advance care planning, and advocate for the rights and responsibilities of the person in critical care
5. Perform complex nursing interventions to assist a person in critical care to attain and maintain optimal health
   • Manage nursing workload according to a person’s needs and re-prioritise care activities for the person rapidly when circumstances change
   • Undertake appropriate pre-, intra- and post-diagnostic procedures in line with scope of practice and organisation policy and procedures, and in collaboration with the registered nurse
   • Respond rapidly to adverse and emergency events applying knowledge of pathophysiology and using problem-solving approaches in line with organisation policy and procedures and within scope of practice
   • Identify when the acuity of a person’s critical care needs is beyond own skill and knowledge, and refer promptly to registered nurse and relevant interdisciplinary health care team members
6. Develop own practice in the critical care nursing environment
   • Make appropriate proposals for nursing interventions in consultation with registered nurse to promote improved outcomes for the person and their condition
   • Evaluate nursing interventions provided and evaluate the outcomes against evidence-based best practice in critical care nursing
   • Recognise symptoms of stress and professional burnout in self, peers and colleagues, and refer to appropriate services within organisation policies and procedures and scope of practice
   • Seek out opportunities and participate in professional development, acquiring knowledge to guide own practice and acting as a resource for colleagues

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:

undertaken nursing work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines

performed the following nursing care interventions on no fewer than 3 people in a critical care setting in the workplace:

care of an arterial line

care of central venous line

assessment of chest pain

monitoring of electrocardiograph readings for abnormalities

administration of (non-invasive) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)

care of permanent and temporary mechanical ventilation including suctioning and bagging

peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)/midline management

under water seal drain management

in undertaking the above, use advanced communication skills and medical terminology to communicate effectively with the person, family or carer, and the registered nurse and other health professionals to record or report the person’s outcomes.

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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:

advanced life support including advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation

complex nursing procedures relevant to care of a person in a critical care environment including infusion pumps and patient controlled analgesia pumps and syringe drivers

specialised knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology related to critical care issues

specialised knowledge and skill relating to prioritising care in an emergency situation of a person in the critical care environment

actual and potential problems in critical care including:

respiratory failure

increased intracranial pressure

deteriorating person and levels of consciousness

haemorrhage

hypercapnia

inability to clear secretions

inability to cough

aspiration

shortness of breath

electrolyte imbalance

fluid overload

hypoxia and hypoxaemia

chest pain

stroke

vessel occlusion

pneumothorax

pacemaker lead displacement

arrhythmia

allergic reaction.

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