Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to attach a holter monitor and produce a diagnostic trace for submission to the requesting medical officer.
This unit applies to any health worker involved in holter monitoring. This work takes place in pathology collection centres, medical centres, hospitals and cardiologist rooms.
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. Prepare equipment for use | 1.1 Check equipment for good working order 1.2 Check materials 1.3 Insert new battery and cassette tape correctly into holter monitor |
2. Prepare client for holter monitor | 2.1 Greet client courteously and identify self 2.2 Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedure 2.3 Obtain, interpret and accurately record personal and clinical information in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 2.4 Provide complete and accurate information in easily understood language regarding the holter monitoring procedure to client 2.5 Provide the client with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss areas of concern 2.6 Obtain consent following ethical and legal requirements |
3. Prepare for monitor recording | 3.1 Maintain client privacy and dignity throughout procedure 3.2 Follow standard infection control procedures 3.3 Position the client correctly and comfortably and place electrodes in accordance with organisation and manufacturer procedures, client’s needs and current standards 3.4 Prepare client’s skin for electrode placement as required 3.5 Attach leads correctly and double check lead placement 3.6 Take a trial trace and check for interference, 3.7 Identify potential client risks and advise supervisor if risk exists 3.8 Provide accurate instruction to client on use of device |
4. Process holter monitor trace | 4.1 Produce trace 4.2 Identify and respond to situations where repeat trace is required 4.3 Remove holter monitor leads and electrodes from client 4.4 Review computer analysis of holter tape in accordance with scope of job role or organise submission of tape to requesting medical officer |
5. Complete holter monitor process | 5.1 Provide client with assistance as required on completion of procedure 5.2 Clean holter monitor and leads on completion of procedure in accordance with infection control procedures 5.3 Dispose of disposable holter monitor electrodes and other materials in accordance with waste management procedures 5.4 Store holter monitor leads and machine in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and work health and safety (WHS) policy and procedures |
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 requirements and produced at least 3 different holter monitor traces satisfactory for diagnostic purposes
identified and responded appropriately to situations of interference, increased amplitude or wandering baseline
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 for holter monitoring, and how these are applied in organisations, including:
children in the workplace
duty of care
informed consent
mandatory reporting
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries
work health and safety
standard infection control requirements
client factors that affect holter monitor testing, including:
physical limitations
respiratory function
features, function and use of holter monitor equipment, including:
pre-checking procedures
electrical safety requirements
common problems and how to respond
routine maintenance requirements
sources of interference:
client
equipment
quality requirements for a holter monitor trace
anatomy and physiology relevant for performance of holter monitoring testing and interpretation
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
holter monitor
procedures for the candidate to follow
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
interaction with clients
presence of situations requiring problem solving
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 (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. |