Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to observe and monitor clients, taking a broad range of clinical tests and measurements.
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. Observe client | 1.1 Read and interpret information in client records 1.2 Check client’s physiological parameters as directed 1.3 Identify deviations from acceptable limits, check equipment for true reading and report to the anaesthetist 1.4 Identify and respond to signs of client discomfort, distress or adverse reaction within role responsibility |
2. Take measurements and samples | 2.1 Select and prepare equipment suited to test or measurement being conducted 2.2 Prepare client according to requirements of test or measurement 2.3 Maintain aseptic technique during collection of body fluid for analysis 2.4 Accurately measure client’s fluid intake and output/loss 2.5 Perform measurement or take samples in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines and organisation policies and procedures 2.6 Determine quality of measurement or sample based on established procedures |
3. Report measurements | 3.1 Read test results and report to the anaesthetist 3.2 Promptly identify and report abnormal findings to the anaesthetist 3.3 Document results of measurement or ensure documentation is completed |
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:
provided monitoring assistance to an anaesthetist during at least 5 procedures
followed established technical and infection control procedures to undertake each of the following clinical measurements and tests at least twice:
arterial blood gases
blood pressure
blood glucose level
circulation
electrocardiography (ECG)
12 lead ECG
haemoglobin
inspired/expired gases (Functional inspiratory oxygen (FiO2), Functional expiratory oxygen (FeO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), tidal volume (TV), inspiratory pressure, minute volume (MV), respiratory rate (RR), minimal alveolar concentration (MAC)
level of consciousness
neuromuscular function
oxygenation (oximetry, FiO2, partial pressure oxygen (PaO2)
pulse
respiration
temperature
fluid balance
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 monitoring, and how these are applied in organisations:
codes of practice
duty of care
infection prevention and control
informed consent
mandatory reporting
manufacturer’s guidelines
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety
clinical measurements undertaken by anaesthetic technicians:
purpose
how they are undertaken
normal results and variations from normal
implications of abnormal results for all of the following:
arterial blood gases
blood pressure
blood glucose level
peripheral perfusion/skin colour
haemodynamic (non-invasive blood pressure, invasive blood pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, pulse, heart rate, cardiac output)
dermatomes
ECG
12 lead ECG
haemoglobin
blood tests samples for urea and electrolytes (U&E), coagulation profile (coags), full blood count (FBC),
inspired/expired gases (FiO2, FeO2, ETCO2, TV, insp pressure, MV, RR, MAC)
level of consciousness clinical observation & entropy/bispectral index monitoring)
neuromuscular function
oxygenation (oximetry, FiO2, PaO2
pain assessment
temperature
acid base balance
heart & lung sounds
fluid balance monitoring requirements, including:
urine
gastrointestinal
blood
irrigation
intravenous
intra-arterial
clinical documentation requirements
principles of biomedical science for anaesthesia:
electrical potential
fibreoptics
hydrostatic/atmospheric/oncotic pressure
oscillometry
photometrics/photoelectrics
thermistor
transducers
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, including those required by tests specified in performance evidence
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. |