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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

Anatomy and physiology relevant for EP interpretation including neurological disorders

Appropriate recognition of normal waveforms

Basic pharmacology related to neurological function

Complications and contraindications for clients undergoing EP procedure ie sedation pupil dilation

Confidentiality requirements of client information

Derivations montage design and type and machine settings including understanding of when and how to change them

Electrical safety requirements

Emergency procedures in the event of complications relevant in the performance of an EP

Infection control policies including standard and additional precautions in relation to neurophysiology testing procedures

International system as standard for electrode placement and modified systems

Protocols for EP procedure

Purpose of EP tests eg diagnostic prognostic classification of events

Routine maintenance policy and procedures for equipment

Understanding of need to reference departmental normal controls and values

Validation of abnormal findings

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Apply knowledge of boundaries of responsibilities and refer problems to supervisor neurophysiologist or other appropriate health professional

Communicate effectively with clientscarers in relation to the procedure and manage clientscarers anxiety level

Comply with policies and procedures including those of WHS and infection control

Identify steps that must be taken to ensure equipment is safe for use

Safely produce a diagnostic EP result

Essential skills contd

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

Attach electrodes and leads correctly

Correctly operate EP and associated monitoring equipment

Correctly prepare skin

Deal with conflict

Demonstrate computer skills relevant to workers role

Identify a EP result that is unsatisfactory for diagnostic purposes

Manage the known common interferences in the production of a EP recording

Measure for the placement of electrodes to achieve an EP recording of diagnostic quality

Produce a EP recording satisfactory for diagnostic purposes including ability to design montages and select machine parameters appropriately

Solve problems including an ability to use available resources

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

Undertake basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Use numeracy skills including the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations recording stock levels statistical information and skills related to technical equipment

Use oral communication skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation including skills in

asking questions

providing clear information

listening to and understanding workplace instructions

clarifying workplace instructions when necessary

using effective verbal and non verbal communication skills with a range of internal and external persons

literacy in English or a community language depending on client group and organisation requirements

Use reading and writing skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation at a level of skill that involves reading and documenting clinical information and understanding complex policy and procedure manuals

Work with others and display empathy with client and relatives

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

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

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Relevant organisation policy guidelines procedures and protocols

Method of assessment

Clinical 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

Observation of work activities when performing evoked potentials EP recording

Observation of simulation andor role play when performing evoked potentials EP recording

Discussion of physical andor behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care

Authenticated transcripts of relevant educationtraining courses

Recognition of relevant lifework experience

Questioning written assessmentsprojects elearning can be used to assess knowledge

Authenticated reports of experience in performing evoked potentials EP recording Documentation associated with performance reviews supervisorcoordinator evaluations of work performance

Training records associated with First Aid OH Safety training OrientationInduction Training Safe Manual Handing Universal infection control procedures

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

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

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.

Equipment and materials may include:	EP machine; portable, standard, Electrodes eg caps, disc, mushroom; leads and accessories Needle electrodes Tape measure Chair Bed Photic stimulator Pattern generator and monitor Other light stimulus Click and white noise stimulator and earphones Electrical nerve stimulator Other stimulus Resuscitation equipment Gels Electrode pastes

Environment may include:	Neurophysiology department Wards Operating theatre Intensive care unit Private neurologists' rooms

Client details may include:	Referral letter/request Reason for study Medical history Address and phone number Date of birth and age Date of test Date of previous test Medications Client's presenting condition In care client/out of care client Clients' expectations Test requested Referring doctor, address and phone number

Clients must include:	Neonates Infants Children Adolescents Adults Elderly

Client medical history may include:	Event/s leading to referral Cardiac disorder Respiratory disorder Vascular disorder Neurological disorder Infectious diseases Epilepsy type and frequency, and date of last seizure Psychiatric and behavioural disorders Developmental disorder Metabolic disorder Medications

Action in response to client's medical history may include:	Additional testing

Personal protective equipment may include:	Gloves Mask Goggles Gown

Integrity of electrodes must include:	Ground Reference Active electrodes Stimulus electrodes

Additional validation techniques must include:	Touch test (of electrodes) Exchange electrodes Replace electrodes Low, and of similar value, impedances

Complications and severe reactions may include:	Seizure Cardio-respiratory arrest

Causes of changes throughout procedure may include:	EP findings Equipment Environmental Client's comfort, physiological and psychological state Seizures Signal to noise ratio

Information provided to client's and carer's may include:	Appropriate follow up period with referring doctor to obtain results Risks following procedure i.e. sedation, pupil dilation and refraining from driving and other activities as appropriate