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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for clinical measurement
  2. Obtain clinical measurements
  3. Report measurement results
  4. Collect client data
  5. Follow up clinical measurement

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 pharmacology including

adverse medicines reactions

allergies

dangers and precautions

major medication categories

routes of administration

uses effects and side effectscontraindications

usual dosage

Clinical measurements including

relevant medical terminology

relevant practice protocols

scope of own medical assisting role

sequence in which tasks occur

use and care of equipment and supplies

Cultural and religious factors in relation to the human body

Dealing with difficult clients

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

How to provide initial response to medical emergencies

Importance of effective communication

Infection control and application of Standard Precautions

Medication schedules including

immunisation schedules

Standards for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons SUSDP

Medication related matters including

Consumer Medicine Information CMI

dosage administration aids

medical terminology

medication action plans

Names and uses of common complementary medicines

Principles of risk management

Proper waste disposal and cleaning procedures including handling spillages

continued

Essential knowledge contd

Relevant legislation industry standards and codes of practice including

consent

medical record documentation

Occupational Health and Safety

privacy and confidentiality

RACGP Standards for General Practices

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

Recognising and dealing with medical emergencies

Relevant anatomy and physiology and basic tissue pathology and histology to enable performance of clinical measurement to be accurate and of minimum risk to clients

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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

Assist with clinical measurements including

operate equipment correctly and in accordance with manufacturers specifications

prioritise tasks

select and prepare instruments and equipment as directed by the health care practitioner

use available resources and plan daily work routine

work under direct or indirect supervision

Relate to a range of people including

deal with conflict

interact appropriately with clients from a range of social cultural linguistic social and religious backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

interact appropriately with members of the health care team

maintain client confidentiality

observe signs of client distress

put clients at ease

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills with a range of internal and external persons including skills to

ask questions

clarify workplace instructions when necessary

confirm client understanding and consent to procedures

explain steps in procedures accurately

listen empathetically

provide clear information

read and document clinical information

Use language and literacy skills required to accurately

follow complex instructions

interpret set procedures and policies

relay information

use appropriate medical terminology and grammar

Use numeracy skills required to accurately interpret and record findings

Use technology appropriately including computers and medical equipment

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

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 clinical measurements relevant to the workplace

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

Evidence of competence must be demonstrated in off the job classroom assessments prior to assessment during placement in a practice setting

Method of assessment

Clinical measurement skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting laboratory If successful a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

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 should be assessed in conjunction with

HLTAPB Confirm physical health status

HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status

HLTMAMPB Assist with clinical procedures in a medical practice

HLTMAMP402B Assist with clinical procedures in a medical practice

HLTMAMPB Manage emergency clients in a medical practice

HLTMAMP406B Manage emergency clients in a medical practice


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.

Supervision includes:

The elements of direction, guidance, oversight and co-ordination of activities

Any requirements for supervision of the medical assistant as specified in relevant professional guidelines and/or organisation policies

Direct and/or indirect supervision, where:

direct supervision is provided when the medical practitioner (or delegated health care professional) is actually present, observes, works with and directs the person who is being supervised

indirect supervision is provided when the medical practitioner (or delegated health care professional) is easily contactable but does not directly observe the activities

Instructions may include:

Verbal

Standing orders

Written

By phone

Via electronic means

Confirm client identity may include:

Asking the client to confirm his/her name&DOB and checking this information against information in the medical record

Asking the client's guardian/carer to confirm client's name and DOB and checking this information against information in the medical record

Explain clinical measurement may include:

Confirming the client, and/or their guardian/carer, understands and agrees to the measurement(s) about to be undertaken

Confirming that the client's and/or guardian/carer's questions have been adequately answered

Outlining the sensations and side effects the client may experience

Checking for contraindications may include:

Checking the client's medical record to see if any allergies or previous adverse reactions to similar measurements are recorded

Asking the client and/or their guardian/carer if the client has any known allergies or previous adverse reactions to similar measurements

Confirming the client's current health status and/or previous related medical conditions with the health care practitioner

Preparing the client may include:

Correctly positioning

Removing clothing

Positioning of client may include:

Sitting

Standing

Lying face down or face up on exam bed

Secured in guardian/carer's arms

Secure positioning of client using either guardian/carer, assistant or self

Instructing client appropriately, eg not to move

Discontinuing procedure if client is uncooperative

Contingencies may include:

Client fainting/loss of consciousness

Client struggling, kicking, biting, etc

Client movement

Equipment failure or breakage

Client refusing to cooperate

Signs of distress may include:

Client agitation

Client appearing pale, cold, clammy, sweating, slumping, shallow breathing

Client crying

Client aggressive

Client complaining of light-headedness or dizziness

Loss of consciousness

Client verbally refusing

Clinical measurements must include:

Measurement and recording involving:

vital signs (BP, pulse, respirations, temperature)

blood glucose measurement

body height, weight and circumference measurement (including BMI calculation)

chemical reagent strip urinalysis

colour blindness testing

distance visual acuity testing

Electrocardiograph (ECG)

pure tone hearing measurement (audiometry)

spirometry measurement

Confidentiality of client information may be ensured 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

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

Industry standards (state and national)

Organisation policy directives

Privacy Act

Relevant Australian standards

Documentation may include:

Recording information in client's computerised or physical medical record, under supervision of the medical practitioner, including:

date and time of procedure

procedure performed

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

details of procedure

positioning of client for 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

Action required while monitoring client's condition may include

Obtaining assistance from medical team immediately

Discontinuing procedure as directed

Placing client in recovery position

Commencing emergency assistance

Abnormal situations may include

Significantly abnormal results

Altered response from client

Angry response from client

Information includes:

Asking questions of parent to record child's developmental milestones

Asking questions of client or client's carer to record health assessment related information including but not limited to:

medication usage

continence

immunisation status

physical function

recent falls

social function

availability of paid and unpaid help

carer status

Assist may include

Helping client to different position

Providing client with supplies, eg tissues or wipes

Retrieving client's personal effects, eg clothing, for easy access

Helping client with movement and ambulation