Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise client risk factors, identify emergency situations and provide emergency or first aid response to client reactions associated with pathology specimen collection.
This unit applies to any individual for whom pathology collection is part of the job role. They may be working in collection centres, in hospitals or in other health care environments.
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. Recognise and assess potential risk | 1.1 Identify potential clinical risks of performing collection procedure from review of client information in accordance with organisation procedures 1.2 Assess client against pre-test criteria and determine risk in accordance with organisation procedures 1.3 Identify and refer potential risk situations beyond scope of own role to appropriate person |
2. Identify situations requiring emergency or first aid response | 2.1 Observe clients for reactions during and after collection procedure 2.2 Promptly recognise signs of adverse reaction or complication |
3. Respond to client reactions and complications | 3.1 Follow documented procedures for any reactions and complications 3.2 Follow first aid protocols in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 3.3 Provide clear information to client and obtain consent from client where possible 3.4 Complete accurate record of incidents in accordance with 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:
assessed and recognised potential clinical risks from review of information from at least 3 different clients
recognised adverse reactions and complications and followed required procedures in response to at least 3 different adverse events
recognised adverse reactions and complications requiring first aid response and provided first aid according to procedures for all of the following:
fainting
fitting
arterial puncture
nerve damage
bruising
excessive or prolonged bleeding
diabetic emergency
falls
grazes
scarring and burns
vomiting
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 (national and state/territory) for emergency response, and how these are applied in organisations:
duty of care
informed consent
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries:
scope and limitations of own role in assessing clinical risk
points of referral for risk situations beyond scope of own role
work health and safety
standard infection control requirements for clinical procedures:
hand hygiene
use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
avoiding contact with bodily fluids
sharps injury prevention and treatment if sustained
waste disposal
client information that may inform assessment of risk:
clinical history
allergies
current and recent medications
recent illnesses
reactions/complications to previous collection procedures
anatomy and physiology relevant to pathology collections:
vascular and nervous systems, particularly the close association of blood vessels and nerves of the limbs relevant to pathology collection
arteries, veins and capillaries
heart function – significant structures, greater blood vessels that enter and exit the heart
direction of flow of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood through the heart and lungs
features of collection sites
types and features of clinical risks commonly associated with pathology collection:
reactions and complications to procedure
infection
hemoconcentration
haemolysis
blood components
sharps injury
excessive bleeding
damage to nervous system
vascular damage
location of venous access
concurrent treatments and therapy
intravenous (IV) therapy
emergency procedures for client reactions and complications
first aid and care protocols for:
fainting
fitting
arterial puncture
nerve damage
bruising
excessive bleeding
diabetic emergency
falls
grazes
scarring and burns
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 documented emergency and first aid procedures for the candidate to follow
modelling of industry operating conditions, including presence 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. |