Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess and treat a nominated and limited range of common health conditions and injuries.
This unit applies to Australian Defence Force (ADF) health care providers working within a military context in remote and operational contexts.
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. Perform a basic patient assessment | 1.1 Establish and accurately record a basic patient history 1.2 Ascertain the history of the complaint through patient questioning 1.3 Conduct basic clinical assessment and measurements according to established procedures and infection control requirements 1.4 Maintain patient privacy according to guidelines 1.5 Identify and respond to requirement for further referral 1.6 Liaise with other health care providers as applicable for ongoing assessment |
2. Determine treatment plan | 2.1 Determine treatment options most suitable to the patient’s condition. 2.2 Liaise with other health care providers in determining treatment options according to client needs 2.3 Read and correctly interpret medical reports and other data relevant to the condition 2.4 Provide accurate and current patient advice on assessment and treatment options 2.5 Develop a treatment plan, in accordance with clinical guidelines and authorised treatment procedures |
3. Implement treatment plan | 3.1 Gain appropriate consent 3.2 Implement proposed plan following clinical guidelines and authorised treatment procedures 3.3 Use equipment according to manufacturer instructions 3.4 Organise follow up appointment for treatment evaluation 3.5 Accurately document treatment provided |
4. Manage and review the treatment | 4.1 Monitor treatment outcomes against expectations 4.2 Provide ongoing advice to patient regarding condition 4.3 Evaluate therapeutic expectations and liaise with other health care professionals regarding ongoing treatment. 4.4 Amend treatment plan as required 4.5 Organise ongoing referral as required 4.6 Accurately document treatment outcomes and follow up appropriately |
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:
• performed an accurate clinical assessment in accordance with established procedures at least 4 times, incorporating all of the following:
- patient history
- known allergies and medications
- temperature, pulse and respiration, blood pressure (TPR&BP)
- oxygen saturation (SaO2)
- non invasive general physical examination
- examination of presenting condition
- assessment outcomes
• developed and applied treatment(s) for the following conditions according to established procedures:
- acute rhinitis
- allergic rhinitis
- bites and stings
- bowel constipation
- common cold
- contact dermatitis
- diarrhoea
- fever
- fungal and yeast infections of the skin
- headache
- influenza
- lip soreness
- malaria (prickly heat)
- motion sickness
- parasitic infestations of the skin
- pharyngitis
- worms/parasitic infestations
- foreign body in eye
- skin injuries, including blisters, lacerations, punctures, grazing, contusions or minor burns
- soft tissue injuries, including haematoma, sprain, strain or overuse injuries
• used all of the following treatments and approaches:
- application of hot/cold therapy
- basic dressings and bindings
- sports strapping/bandaging
- issue and administration of topical and enteral medication (oral and rectal)
- referring for further clinical assessment and treatment
• used effective communication techniques during the client interview process, including:
- two way questioning
- clinical education
- treatment plan support
- negotiation
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, ethical and military requirements for treatment provision:
codes of practice
duty of care
infection prevention and control
informed consent
mandatory reporting
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management and documentation
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
specific information sources that inform work practice:
Primary clinical care manual (PCCM)
organisation/unit standard operating procedures
current operational mandate
established clinical procedures
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety
anatomy and physiology, including:
structure and function of the following human body systems and their interactions:
cells, tissues and organs
cardiovascular system
respiratory system
musculo-skeletal system
endocrine system
digestive system
urinary system
reproductive system
integumentary system
lymphatic system
nervous system, including sensory systems – eye and ear
the special senses – smell, taste, vision, equilibrium and hearing
immune system
anatomical and medical terminology:
when referring to the human body
when taking measurements in different body systems
patient assessment requirements and techniques
normal values and parameters
aspects of the common conditions listed in the Performance Evidence, including:
presenting symptoms
disease process and phases
treatment modalities and their contraindications
medical tests and diagnostic procedures and the need for referral
patient compliance consequences
principles of clinical assessment, prescribing, and case management
referral procedure and pathways
role of other health care providers and support services
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:
a health centre/clinic/hospital environment with sufficient patient throughput to meet the majority of performance evidence requirements
casualties (high fidelity simulation, resuscitation mannequins and/or actors)
clinical documentation
medical equipment for assessment purposes
equipment and consumables for treatment purposes
pathology samples/containers requiring labelling
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
a minimum of 2-3 people for the consultation/treatment
a minimum of 1-2 other personnel supporting the scenario/workplace (i.e. for referrals, ongoing advice)
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors. In addition, assessors must have at least 3 years’ experience as a clinical health professional in a primary healthcare setting.
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. |