Work is performed at the request of, and in consultation with, medical staff requiring a range of well developed skills where some discretion and judgement is required and individuals take responsibility for the quality of their outputs

Cast application may occur in various locations within the hospital environment eg operating theatres, emergency department, wards, out of care client departments

All activities are carried out in accordance with organisation policies, procedures and infection control guidelines

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to apply casts

1.1 Assemble and check equipment and materials for applying casts to ensure that it is in clean and in working order

1.2 Receive and confirm if in doubt requirements for application of casts with relevant personnel

1.3 Assess client's condition and identify precautions and potential complications of applying cast

1.4 Explain procedure to client and obtain client consent/agreement

1.5 Provide the client opportunities to ask questions and discuss areas of concern

1.6 Meet the comfort and safety needs of the client and applicator

1.7 Review the condition of wound and pin site and refer to relevant personnel as required

2. Apply casts

2.1 Position the area to which cast is to be applied in accordance with industry best practice

2.2 Meet the comfort and safety needs of the client and applicator

2.3 Client's specific needs in relation to application of casts are identified

2.4 Apply cast according to instructions and to meet client's needs

2.5 Achieve the correct moulding of cast

2.6 Complete documentation

3. Undertake post application procedures

3.1 Clean client at completion of procedure

3.2 Observe that the neurovascular status of limb to is within normal limits

3.3 Check the fit and functionality of cast

3.4 Provide client and carer with written and verbal advice for care of cast and limb

3.5 Fit client with sling, heel/overshoes and ambulation aids, as required

3.6 Instruct client on correct use of ambulation aids and ensure client is safe

3.7 Arrange appropriate support for client

4. Clean working environment

4.1 Dispose of waste in accordance with waste management policies

4.2 Clean equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and stored safely

4.3 Clean work surfaces in accordance with infection control guidelines

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:

Anatomical positioning in preparation for application of casts

Anatomy and physiology relevant to casts application

Appropriate practices to ensure efficient use of power and other resources

Awareness and resolution of complications eg pressure sores, foreign objects in casts, splints

Confidentiality requirements of client information

Current standards and best practice relevant to cast application

Interpretation of documentation relating to application of casts

Medical terminology relevant to cast application

Organisation policy and procedures, including Infection control and WHS

Precautions and complications related to cast application

Purpose of application of casts

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Comply with policies and procedures including those of WHS and infection control for application of casts

Select appropriate material and use correct techniques for application of casts

Apply current standards and best practice to meet duty of care to client

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

Demonstrate all steps that must be taken in the correct and safe usage of equipment

Recognise boundaries of responsibilities and refer problems to supervisor or other appropriate health professional

continued ...

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:

Apply a protective cover to broken skin with an aseptic technique

Apply current standards and best practice relevant to cast application

Apply general problem solving skills to adjust casts for individual client needs

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Correctly and safely apply casts

Correctly position limbs for the application of casts

Deal with conflict

Solve problems including an ability to use available resources

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

Use numeracy skills ranging from the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations, recording stock levels and statistical information

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

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

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

Use reading and writing skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation to a level of skill required for

reading and documenting clinical information

understanding policy and procedure manuals

Work with others and display empathy with client and carers

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 applying casts

Observation of simulation and/or role play when applying casts

Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care

Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses

Recognition of relevant life/work experience

Questioning, written assessments/projects,
e-learning can be used to assess knowledge

Authenticated reports of experience in applying casts(Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)

Training records associated with first aid, occupational health and safety training, orientation/induction 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 and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units:

Holistic assessment practice with other health services units is encouraged

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with:

HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status

HLTCT402D Modify casts

HLTCT403D Remove casts

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.

Types of casts may include:

Fully circumferential

Hip spica

Slab

Split cast

Correct moulding of castmustinclude:

Absence of areas of pressure from cast

Movement of limb is controlled

Well fitted to limb

Equipment may include:

Arm/knee/buttock block

Benders

Cast bracing equipment

Heat pan

Plaster trap

Saw with vacuum

Scissors

Shears

Spreaders

Vice

Materials may include:

Abduction bars

Bandages

Cast shoes

Felts/foams

Hinges

Plaster

Quadrilateral bucket

Stockinettes

Strapping

Synthetic materials

Tapes

Thermoplastic materials

Undercast padding

Relevant personnel may include:

Medical practitioners

Other health professionals

Clients may include:

Adolescents

Adults

Children

Elderly

In-clients/out-clients

Infants

Assessment of client's condition may include:

Allergies

Mechanism of injury

Relevant medical history

Skin condition eg oedema, blisters, pressure areas, broken skin, fragile skin

Precautions may include:

Areas of broken skin

Conditions that result in a significant functional disability that may limit a person's ability to manage a cast

Conditions that result in fragile skin

Complications may include but are not limited to:

Cast breakdown

Cast migration (due to loss of tissue bulk)

Compromising related injury

Fracture blisters

Mal-alignment of bone

Neurovascular complications eg pressure areas

Reduced or loss of movement/function of joint

Secondary infection

Wound breakdown

Clients specific needs may include but are not limited to:

Age

Functional requirements or restrictions

Mobilisation difficulties or restrictions

Phobias

Physical anomalies

Religious and cultural beliefs

Documentation may include:

Appliance hire documentation

Appointment forms and books

Casts check forms

Client records

Work log books

Advice given to clients may include:

Cast care

Limb care

Mobilisation exercises/routines

Oedema control

Appropriate support may include:

Arrangement of educational material

Instructions for seeking advice if required

Organisation of walking aids eg crutches, wheelchairs

Referral to appropriate health professional

Review client's social situation in relation to their ability to self care with a cast

This unit contains Employability Skills