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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 environment and equipment
   • Obtain and clarify instructions from health professional or according to organisation procedures
   • Follow standard procedures for infection control
   • Assess environment for suitability
   • Gather, prepare and check readiness of equipment and consumables prior to use
   • Confirm readiness and availability of emergency equipment, medications and supplies as appropriate for procedure
3. Prepare client
   • Read client information and confirm client identity in accordance with organisation procedures
   • Clearly communicate information to client and confirm their understanding
   • Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns
   • Obtain agreement from the client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures
   • Check for contraindications to procedure according to direction and confirm client’s status within scope of own job role
   • Assist with positioning client for procedure ensuring client comfort and accessibility according to safe manual task procedures and health professional’s instructions
   • Recognise and respond appropriately to client needs for reassurance
4. Follow health professional directions
   • Respond to requests for assistance according to workplace protocols and within the scope of own job role
   • Monitor client’s condition as directed and within scope of own job role
   • Report abnormal observations or client reactions to health professional immediately, in line with directions from the health professional
   • Deal with adverse incidents as per workplace protocols and directions from health professional
   • Accurately document procedure in client’s medical record under supervision of the health professional in line with protocols and confidentiality requirements
5. Complete follow up tasks
   • Assist, advise and instruct client in accordance with practitioner instructions
   • Monitor client for signs of adverse reaction for appropriate time period as directed and within scope of own job role
   • Advise and instruct client as per organisation protocol and in line with health professional’s instructions
   • Clean and dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures
   • Clean work area and dispose of waste in line with practice protocols and infection control procedures
   • Store equipment and consumables in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures

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 protocols, procedures and infection control and safety requirements to provide assistance in delivery of care under the direction of a health professional for the following 5 procedures:

dressing of wounds not involving scheduled medication wound care

suture and staple removal

removal of plasters

application of bandaging, splints and slings

set up and monitoring of nebulisation without medication

followed established protocols, procedures, infection control and safety requirements to provide assistance to a health professional who is undertaking:

pap tests

plastering

physical examination

minor operations

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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 supporting the health professional in the delivery of care, including:

duty of care

informed consent, what it means, and the limitations of obtaining consent by workers who are not health professionals

records management

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

industry standards

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

risk management considerations

work health and safety

manual task safety procedures

standard infection control requirements for clinical procedures:

hand washing

use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

avoiding contact with bodily fluids

needle stick injury considerations

waste disposal

how to assist with the maintenance of surgical asepsis and the reasons for maintaining a sterile field

how to assist with the maintenance of surgical asepsis and the reasons for maintaining a sterile field

procedures, equipment and terminology used for commonly occurring care procedures undertaken by health professionals, including:

dressing of wounds not involving scheduled medication wound care

suture and staple removal

pap tests

plastering/removal of plasters

physical examination

application of bandaging, splints and slings

set up and monitoring of nebulisation without medication

minor operations

types of information included in client medical records and rationale for these, including:

procedures detail – name, date, time

name of supplies used including batch and lot number and expiry date, if applicable

details of procedure

site of procedure

results of procedure

any adverse effects or incidents

advice or instructions given

information collected regarding client’s current health status, physical and social function

medical assistant’s signature or initials

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