Work will be performed within a prescribed range of functions involving routine and non-routine methods and procedures which require the exercise of some discretion and judgement

Compliance with industry standards and guidelines

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

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Compress hyperbaric chamber for a clinical and non-clinical treatment

1.1 Establish door seals

1.2 Communicate readiness of occupants for compression

1.3 Complete documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

1.4 Complete compression in accordance with the treatment table

1.5 Carry out stop compression routine when initiated

2. Maintain chamber environment

2.1 Notify Attendant to administer oxygen to clients

2.2 Adjust chamber pressure to maintain treatment profile

2.3 Maintain gas levels

2.4 Identify and meet occupants' needs

2.5 Maintain breathing gas pressures

2.6 Maintain chamber environment for comfort

2.7 Communicate with inside attendant as required

2.8 Identify and respond to machinery&equipment breakdowns or malfunctions in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

3. Decompress hyperbaric chamber for a clinical and non-clinical treatment

3.1 Communicate readiness of occupants for decompression

3.2 Complete documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

3.3 Complete ascent in accordance with the treatment table

3.4 Maintain gas levels

3.5 Carry out stop compression routine when initiated

3.6 Identify decompression routine for attendant

4. Pass equipment through medical lock

4.1 Inform inside attendant of procedure

4.2 Maintain chamber pressure

4.3 Pressurise medical lock

4.4 Transfer equipment into chamber

4.5 Depressurise medical lock

5. Transfer personnel into/out of chamber whilst under pressure

5.1 Establish door seal

5.2 Communicate readiness of occupant for decompression

5.3 Complete documentation

5.4 Complete pressurisation in accordance with the treatment table

5.5 Carry out stop compression routine when initiated

5.6 Maintain main chamber environment

5.7 Transfer personnel into/out of main chamber

5.8 Depressurise transfer lock in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

5.9 Decompress personnel in accordance with treatment table

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:

Basic first aid

Contraindications for attendants and clients undergoing compression

Correct valve alignment on chamber and control panel, compressors and storage cylinders

Decompression/treatment tables

Function of a compression chamber and equipment

Function of electrical and communication systems

Function of gas analysing systems

Function of valves and regulators

Infection control policies and procedures

Interpret pressure gauge increments

Legal and regulatory requirements

Medical terminology related to clients who may be undergoing compression relevant to operating a compression chamber

Operational procedures relating to compression chambers

Pathophysiology and the interrelationship with compression and decompression relevant to operating a compression chamber

Relationship between 100% oxygen and metals/non metals under pressure

Safe manual handling practices

Safety procedures/actions in event of an emergency related to compression chambers

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Comply with industry standards and guidelines

Comply with organisation policies and procedures including those of work health and safety (WHS) and infection control

Safely operate the hyperbaric chamber

Identify and respond correctly to contraindications for compression during compression

Identify the steps that must be taken to ensure that equipment and environment is safe

Identify and respond correctly to emergency situations

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 confidentiality requirements in relation to client information

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Deal with conflict

Interpret gas systems diagrams

Operate all compression chamber systems

Operate the built in breathing system

Solve problems flexibly including the ability to use available resources

Supervise the safe operation of a compression chamber

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues, including appropriate practices to ensure efficient use of resources

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

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

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

Use reading and writing skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation at a level of skill required for reading and documenting clinical information and understanding complex policy and procedure manuals

Work with others and display empathy with clients and relatives

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:

Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements

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 operating multi-place hyperbaric chamber

Observation of simulation and/or role play when operating multi-place hyperbaric chamber

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 a operating multi-place hyperbaric chamber (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)

Training records associated with First Aid, WHS 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:

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following units:

• HLTHY401D Prepare multi-place hyperbaric chamber

• HLTHY403D Conduct post compression routines

• HLTHY404D Implement emergency procedures for hyperbaric chambers

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged

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.

Communication methods may include:

Visual

Headsets

Intercom

Sound powered telephone

Occupants may include:

Nurses

Doctors

Clients

Technicians

Documentation may include:

Treatment tables

Databases

Time record sheets

Standard operating procedures

Treatment tables must include:

Decompression tables (as per AS/NZ 2299 )

Hospital treatment tables

Initiation of stop dive routine may include:

Malfunction of equipment

Safety of occupants

Methods of administration of oxygen may include:

Hoods

Built In Breathing System

Gas levels must include:

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Occupants needs may include:

Sanitation needs

Medications

Reading material

Food and fluids

Breathing gases may include:

Oxygen

Air

Gas mixtures eg oxygen/helium

Maintenance of chamber environment may include:

Temperature

Humidity

Oxygen percentage levels

Equipment may include

Medications

Client records

Food/fluids

Blankets

Built In Breathing Systems/hoods

Sanitary needs

Transfer of personnel may include:

Nurses

Doctors

Client

Technicians

This unit contains Employability Skills