Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance Criteria

1

Assess the situation

1.1

Identify, assess and minimise hazards that may pose a risk of injury or illness to self and others

1.2

Assess risks to first aider and others and determine appropriate response to ensure prompt control of situation

1.3

Ascertain and prioritise need(s) for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required

1.4

Deploy resources to appropriate locations as required in line with workplace procedures

2

Manage the casualty(s)

2.1

Determine and explain the nature of casualty's injury/condition and relevant first aid procedures to provide comfort

2.2

Respond to the casualty in a culturally aware, sensitive and respectful manner

2.3

Seek consent for management of the casualty's injury/illness from person(s) where relevant

2.4

Determine and implement welfare procedure according to casualty(s) needs

2.5

Control effects of injury and determine and apply appropriate first aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation

2.6

Assist with self-medication in accordance with State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and manufacturer's/supplier's instructions and subject to casualty's regime

2.7

Monitor casualty's condition and respond in a timely manner in accordance with effective first aid principles

2.8

Correctly operate basic life support equipment where appropriate according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's/supplier's instructions

2.9

Apply safety procedures for operation of pressurised gases

2.10

Use safe manual handling techniques

2.11

Finalise management according to casualty's needs and first aid principles

3

Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance

3.1

Identify available resources required and establish communication links with appropriate personnel, emergency management services and medical assistance as appropriate

3.2

Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources

3.3

Document the provision of resources and recommend modifications as required

3.4

Monitor the condition of casualties in accordance with first aid principles and workplace procedures

3.5

Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to relevant evacuation procedures

3.6

Arrange support services for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with relevant principles and procedures

4

Communicate essential incident details

4.1

Maintain communication with relevant personnel using appropriate media and equipment

4.2

Communicate first aid information with other providers/carers as appropriate to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

Calmly provide information to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match the casualty's level of consciousness

4.4

Prepare an incident report in line with organisation requirements

4.5

Maintain confidentiality of records and information in line with privacy principles and statutory and/or organisation policies

5

Evaluate the incident

5.1

Evaluate management of the incident and where required develop an action plan in consultation with relevant parties

5.2

Participate in debriefing/evaluation in order to improve future operations and address individual's needs

5.3

Formulate and review contingency planning to identify and select alternative management principles and procedures as required

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

Working knowledge of:

legal responsibilities and duty of care, including confidentiality

basic anatomy (skeleton, muscles, joints, bones), physiology and toxicology

ARC Guidelines and/or State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies relating to provision of first aid

procedures for dealing with major and minor accidents in the workplace

infection control principles and procedures, including using standard precautions

how to gain access to and interpret material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

company/organisation standard operating procedures (SOPs)

priorities of management in first aid

occupational health and safety requirements in the provision of first aid.

capabilities of emergency management services

first aiders' skills and limitations

safe storage and handling procedures for pressurised gases

advanced resuscitation techniques as per HLTFA404A Apply advanced resuscitation techniques

First aid management procedures in accordance with ARC Guidelines, state/territory regulations, legislation and policies and organisation requirements for conditions identified in the Range Statement and including:

use of AED, oxygen, bronchodilator

spinal care

management of anaphylactic shock reaction

use of analgesic gases

Incident management procedures:

manual handling, hazardous substances, dangerous goods or chemicals

basic triage for a multiple casualty incident

safe access to the casualty

awareness of confined spaces and dangerous places

removal of casualty to safe area, if appropriate

coordinate activities of other first aiders, if applicable

First aid management procedures may also relate to emergency childbirth

Complications and associated methods of management for conditions identified in the Range Statement

State and territory regulatory requirements relating to currency of skill and knowledge

Social issues, especially in particular workplace or community context(s) in which first aid is to be applied, including:

importance of debriefing

need to be culturally aware, sensitive and respectful

confidentiality

own skills and limitations

Awareness of stress management techniques and available support

Safety procedures for the operation of pressurised gases

Essential skills:

Ability to:

Manage specific injuries/illnesses and conditions as identified in the Range Statement for this competency unit

Conduct an initial casualty assessment

Plan an appropriate first aid response in line with established first aid principles, policies and procedures, ARC Guidelines and/or State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements and respond appropriately to contingencies in line with own skills

Apply advanced resuscitation techniques as per HLTFA404A Apply advanced resuscitation techniques

Use a range of first aid equipment as outlined in the Range Statement

Demonstrate the application of first aid principles

Comply with OHS legislation

Provide assistance with self-medication as per subject's own medication regime and in line with State/Territory legislation, regulations and policies and any available medical/pharmaceutical instructions

Administer medication in line with State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and any available medical/pharmaceutical instructions

Demonstrate:

safe manual handling

adequate infection control procedures

consideration of the welfare of the casualty

safe storage and handling procedures for pressurised gases

Prepare a written incident report or provide information to enable preparation of an incident report

Interpret and use listed documents

Communicate effectively and assertively and show leadership in an incident

Make prompt and appropriate decisions relating to managing an incident in the workplace

Use literacy and numeracy skills as required to read, interpret and apply guidelines and protocols

Call an ambulance and/or medical assistance according to relevant circumstances and report casualty's condition

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 of assessment:

Assessment must include demonstrated evidence of specified Essential Knowledge and Essential Skills identified in this competency unit

Competence should be demonstrated working individually and, where appropriate, as part of a first aid team

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace or community setting

Currency of first aid knowledge and skills is to be demonstrated in line with state/territory regulations, legislation and policies, ARC and industry guidelines

Method of assessment may include:

Skills in performing first aid procedures are to be assessed through demonstration, with questioning to confirm essential knowledge

Skills may be assessed through simulations, using anatomical models, manikins or in a high fidelity simulation centre

For assessment purposes, demonstration of skills in CPR procedures requires using a model of the human body (resuscitation manikin) in line with ARC Guidelines

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

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.

Contextualisation to address specific requirements may include:

Focus on first aid management of specific types of injury

First aid provision under specific constraints or circumstances (eg. in confined spaces, in maritime work environment or in work environment involving identified risks/hazards)

First aid management must take into account:

Workplace policies and procedures

Industry/site specific regulations, codes etc.

OHS requirements

State and territory workplace health and safety requirements

A hazard is:

A source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, the environment, or a combination of these

Hazards may include:

Physical hazards

Biological hazards

Chemical hazards

Hazards associated with manual handling

Risks may include:

Risks from worksite equipment, machinery and substances

Risks from first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, AED)

Environmental risks

Exposure to blood and other body substances

Risk of further injury to the casualty

Risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders

Risks from vehicles

Fallen power lines, step and touch potential

Casualty's condition is managed for:

Abdominal injuries

Airway obstruction

Allergic reactions

Altered and loss of consciousness

Bleeding

Burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical

Chest pain

Injuries: cold and crush injuries; eye and ear injuries; head, neck and spinal injuries; minor skin injuries; needle stick injuries; soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains, dislocations

Near drowning

Envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites

Environmental conditions such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, heat stroke

Fractures

Medical conditions, including cardiac conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other respiratory conditions

No signs of life

Pain relief

Poisoning and toxic substances (including chemical contamination)

Respiratory distress

Shock

Seizures

Stroke

Substance misuse - all drugs and alcohol, including illicit drugs

First Aid management skills must include in accordance with ARC Guidelines, State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements:

Administration of analgesia

CPR

Infection control

AED

Identification and management of anaphylactic shock reaction in accordance with ARC Guidelines, State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements

Oxygen administration

First aid management must account for:

Location and nature of the workplace

Environmental conditions eg electricity (high or low voltage), biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents

Location of emergency services personnel

Number of casualties and potential casualties

Use and availability of first aid equipment, resources and pharmaceuticals

Types of dangers/risks to the casualty and any others in the vicinity of the situation

Confined spaces, subject to industry need

Medications may include in accordance with ARC Guidelines, State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements:

Oxygen

Analgesics

Bronchodilators

Casualty's own medications

Auto-injectors

Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:

Oxygen resuscitation/cylinders

AED

Thermometers

Auto-injectors

Back boards

Stretchers

Soft bag resuscitator

First aid kit

Casualty's medication

Analgesic inhalers

Analgesic gas equipment

Resuscitation mask or barrier

Spacer device

Cervical collars

Information to be documented may include:

Time

Location

Description of injury

First aid management

Fluid intake/output, including fluid loss via:

blood

vomit

faeces

urine

Administration of medication including:

time

date

person administering

dose

Vital signs

Established first aid principles include:

Checking the site for danger to self, the casualty and others and minimising the danger

Checking and maintaining the casualty's airway, breathing and circulation