Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to complete specific client related preparation tasks. It includes client preparation and transfer, the attachment and detachment of equipment and positioning the client for different procedures.
The unit applies to anaesthetic technicians working under the direction of, and in consultation with, an anaesthetist in any hospital or day surgery setting.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Receive and prepare client | 1.1 Greet client, confirm identity, correlate with identification band, client notes, consent form and follow other identification procedures according to organisation policy 1.2 Acknowledge accompanying relatives and carers sensitively and appropriately 1.3 Obtain verbal confirmation of surgical procedure and location if applicable 1.4 Note any client factors that impact on their care 1.5 Complete preparation tasks or check that these have been completed by others and provide clear information to client 1.6 Monitor the client’s safety, physical and emotional wellbeing through continual observation 1.7 Identify, record and immediately report any variations, discrepancies and changes to the client, their documentation or their wishes to the anaesthetist and other relevant personnel 1.8 Label client property and store securely in accordance with organisation policy |
2. Attach and detach equipment | 2.1 Select routine monitoring and other equipment in accordance with anaesthetist’s preference 2.2 Prepare skin and attach correctly, following infection prevention and control procedures 2.3 Set equipment in operation and confirm functioning 2.4 Carefully detach equipment with minimum risk of damage to client, staff or equipment, once the anaesthetist indicates that it is no longer required 2.5 Clean and restore equipment ready for reuse |
3. Provide assistance with insertion of intravenous cannulation | 3.1 Liaise with anaesthetist to confirm requirements 3.2 Observe client behaviour and respond to situations where support is required 3.3. Provide optimum conditions to facilitate access 3.4 Select, prepare and provide anaesthetic medical officer with required equipment in an aseptic manner 3.5 Following insertion, adequately and safely secure the device 3.6 Dispose of waste/sharps in accordance with waste management policies and infection control guidelines |
4. Assist with transfer of clients | 4.1 Plan to transfer client into procedural/operating room according to operational requirements 4.2 Ensure relevant personnel and client are aware of the actions to be performed 4.3 Detach equipment/infusions not required from the client before the transfer takes place 4.4 Ensure equipment attached to the client is safely and correctly adjusted during transfer 4.5 Employ safe moving and handling techniques during client transfer 4.6 Ensure movement is conducted safely and client discomfort minimised 4.7 Correctly re-connect and adjust equipment/infusions on completion of transfer, as necessary 4.8 Maintain client’s dignity during transfer |
5. Assist with positioning of clients | 5.1 Inform client of positioning procedures to be completed, and seek his/her cooperation when appropriate 5.2 Position client in consultation with other health care professionals 5.3 Ensure all relevant equipment is available, is functioning correctly and is correctly attached/placed in accordance with the anaesthetist’s and surgeon’s preferences and the individual needs of the client 5.4 Ensure client is protected from injury in collaboration with other relevant health professionals 5.5 Obtain assistance to position client when necessary 5.6 Observe any abnormal responses and report any action required to be taken to the anaesthetist |
Evidence of Performance
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 technical, infection control and safety procedures to receive, prepare, transfer and position at least 10 different clients for procedures involving anaesthesia
placed patients in all of the following positions:
prone
lateral
lithotomy
supine
Trendelenburg
reverse Trendelenburg
used the following equipment correctly:
beds
theatre trolley
operating table
patient handling equipment, including specialised equipment
wheelchairs
Evidence of Knowledge
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 (national, state/territory) for client preparation, and how these are applied in organisations:
codes of practice
duty of care
infection prevention and control
informed consent
mandatory reporting
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety (WHS), manual handling and safe client transfer and positioning techniques
function and use of surgical safety lists
client drains and traction attachments
pre-medications and their effects relevant to providing assistance in anaesthesia
anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology factors that impact client positioning and equipment interface for different client groups
medical terminology specific to client procedures:
preparation
attachment/detachment of equipment
positioning
transfer
clinical documentation and handover, including World Health Organisation Surgical safety checklist
tasks involved in client preparation for surgery including:
premedications/routine medications
antithromboembolytic devices
removal of personnel items
toileting
fasting
pathology testing
clinical measurements
radiological investigations
prewarming
surgical site preparation
how to attach routine monitoring and equipment, including:
electrocardiography (ECG)
non-invasive blood pressure cuff
pulse oximetry
gas analyers
antithrombembolytic devices
diathermy plate
warming devices
client padding/protection
intravenous access techniques & equipment used
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources
modelling of industry operating conditions, including presence of situations requiring problem solving in non-routine situations
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (employability skills, language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |