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Elements and Performance Criteria

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

Acceptable storage conditions for various specimens

How to deal appropriately with adverse incidents

How to use and maintain medical equipment and supplies

Industry standards and codes of practice

Infection control

Legislation and industry standards regarding privacy security and medical record documentation

Practice protocols

Proper waste disposal and cleaning procedures including handling spillages

Scope of own medical assisting role

Standard precautions

Various test procedures

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

Apply numeracy skills required to accurately

interpret record and relay test results

measure eg volume time and temperature with high degree of accuracy

Handle specimens correctly

Perform duties in a wellorganised and timely fashion

Recognise significantly abnormal results

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

Use medical equipment safely and correctly

Use communication skills to

interact appropriately with members of the health care team

interpret procedures and policies

document information appropriately in medical records

fill out forms correctly

relay information using appropriate medical terminology and grammar

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 situations 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

Method of assessment	Assessment should involve written andor oral examination as well as simulation demonstration and production of simulated work samples Students are also to be assessed during practice placement through supervisor reports selfreflective journals and observation

Resource implications	Assessment requires access to scope of own medical assisting role clinical procedures for medical assistants manual RACGP Standards for General Practices Australian and International Standards Applying to lab work simulated general practice lab environment including range of equipment eg centrifuge and supplies eg specimen containers PPE and test ordering and reporting forms simulated andor sample specimens

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 holistically with other medical assisting units of competency

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.

Industry standards may include	RACGP Standards for General Practice Australian and International Standards applying to lab work

Label may include	Client's name Client's DOB Client's identifier Date Time Medical Assistant's name, signature or initials Type of specimen Location specimen taken from Test required

Conditions may include	Temperature Length of time Exposure to light Position, eg upright Securely, where client details cannot be observed by unauthorised parties

Adverse incident may include	Breakage Spillage Needlestick or other injury Deterioration of specimen Cross-contamination

Documentation may include	In client's medical record Forms used for ordering tests

Preparing specimens for transport may include	Packing fragile items appropriately Placing in portable cooler (Esky) with cold packs

Tests may include	Chemical reagent strip urinalysis Uriscreen Pregnancy testing Blood glucose level measurement (using glucometer) Guthrie heel prick test Centrifugation Description of appearance, colour, odour