Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to handle specimens including organising off-site testing and performing certain on-site tests.
This unit applies to any health worker handling medical specimens. The scope of this unit does not include any specimen collection.
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. Follow standard procedures for handling specimens | 1.1 Apply standard precautions and codes of practice when handling medical specimens 1.2 Select and use equipment and instruments suited to the specimen being handled 1.3 Transfer specimen into appropriate container and seal properly, ensuring correct method of preservation has been used 1.4 Label containers accurately and store specimens in specified conditions 1.5 Follow established procedures in case of adverse incident |
2. Organise off-site testing of specimens | 2.1 Prepare specimens for transport according to specifications for packaging and transport 2.2 Check that specimen is accompanied by required accurately completed documentation 2.3 Arrange pick-up of specimen, if required, ensuring specimens are in correct location for pick-up |
3. Conduct on-site testing of specimens | 3.1 Use and maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions 3.2 Conduct tests following practice protocols, standard precautions and industry standards 3.3 Accurately document results and report to appropriate personnel 3.4 Read and recognise significantly abnormal results and report appropriately and in a timely fashion |
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 procedures when handling at least 4 different specimen types
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 specimen handling (national, state/territory, local):
codes of practice
records management and labelling
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety
standard infection control requirements:
hand hygiene
use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
avoiding contact with bodily fluids
needle stick injury considerations
waste disposal
different types of medical specimens and associated handling procedures, including those for:
urine
blood
oral fluids
skin scrapings
storage conditions for different types of specimen
transport requirements for different types of specimen
types of on-site tests and how they are conducted, including:
uriscreen
pregnancy tests
blood glucose level measurement
how to deal appropriately with adverse incidents
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:
real specimens
packaging
storage facilities
documented procedures for the candidate to follow
modelling of industry operating conditions, including 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. |