Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for, obtain and record simple clinical measurements.
This unit applies to individuals who work under the direct or indirect supervision of a health professional.
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 for clinical measurement | 1.1 Determine clinical measurement requirements and own role limitations from review of client information 1.2 Assess environment for suitability to conduct a clinical measurement 1.3 Follow standard procedures for infection control 1.4 Gather, prepare and check readiness of equipment and consumables prior to use 1.5 Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedures 1.6 Clearly communicate measurement procedures and purpose to client 1.7 Collect and accurately document client information as required 1.8 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns 1.9 Obtain agreement from the client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures |
2. Obtain clinical measurements | 2.1 Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures 2.2 Use equipment according to its purpose and operating instructions 2.3 Use appropriate manual techniques and adapt to suit specific client needs and issues that arise 2.4 Obtain valid, reliable and accurate results by following standard sequences and procedures 2.5 Read and document numerical and other measurement data 2.6 Identify non valid results and repeat procedures as required 2.7 Accurately record and report results in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures and confidentiality requirements 2.8 Communicate outcome of measurements clearly and simply to client if appropriate to do so |
3. Finalise clinical measurement process | 3.1 Assist, advise and instruct client in accordance with needs of specific test procedures 3.2 Clean, sterilise and/or dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures 3.3 Clean work area and dispose of waste in line with organisation protocols and infection control procedures 3.4 Store equipment and consumables in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies 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 protocols, infection control and safety requirements to produce accurate, valid and reliable clinical measurements from at least 3 different clients
taken different types of clinical measurements including at least 3 of each of the following:
vital signs (blood pressure (BP), pulse, respirations, temperature)
body height, weight and circumference measurement (including body mass index (BMI) calculation)
blood glucose measurement
chemical reagent strip urinalysis
colour blindness testing
distance visual acuity testing
screening audiometry
spirometry
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 taking clinical measurements (national, state/territory, local), including:
children in the workplace
duty of care
informed consent, what it means, and the limitations of obtaining consent by workers who are not health professionals
mandatory reporting
records management
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
industry standards
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
standard infection control requirements for clinical measurements:
hand washing
use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
avoiding contact with bodily fluids
sharps injury considerations
waste disposal
types of clinical measurements that may be taken by those supporting medical practitioners:
vital signs
body height, weight and circumference measurement (including BMI calculation)
colour blindness testing
distance visual acuity testing
screening audiometry
spirometry
clinical measurement procedures including:
terminology
sequencing for measurement
type of data produced, its recording and use
features and correct use of medical testing equipment:
sphygmomanometer
stethoscope
timing device
thermometer
peak flow meter and disposable mouth pieces
penlight
percussion (reflex) hammer
measuring tape
equipment for measuring height and weight
goose-neck lamp or other light source
types of information included in client medical records and rationale for these:
test details – name, date, time
name of supplies used including batch and lot number and expiry date, if applicable
results
adverse effects or incidents
advice or instructions given
information collected regarding client’s current health status, physical and social function
signature requirements
cultural and religious factors that impact on the approach to taking clinical measurements
anatomy and physiology to enable performance of clinical measurement to be accurate and of minimum risk to clients
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:
sphygmomanometer
stethoscope
timing device
thermometer
peak flow meter and disposable mouth pieces
spirometer and disposable mouth pieces
penlight
measuring tape
equipment for measuring height and weight
colour blindness test plates (eg Ishihara)
visual acuity chart
audiometer and quiet room
goose-neck lamp or other light source
hand washing facilities
disposable gloves
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
interaction with clients
integration 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, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |