Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm collection requirements, prepare client and equipment and make routine pathology specimen collections.
This unit applies to any individual for whom specimen 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, Australia /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. Confirm collection requirements | 1.1 Greet client courteously and identify self 1.2 Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedures 1.3 Confirm that client meets pre-testing criteria for required collection 1.4 Obtain, interpret and accurately record personal and clinical information in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 1.5 Explain collection procedure to client 1.6 Obtain consent for collection procedure from client |
2. Prepare for collection procedure | 2.1 Confirm method of collection based on correct interpretation of clinical request and organisation requirements 2.2 Select equipment and prepare following organisation procedures 2.3 Position client appropriately to ensure comfort and safety of both client and collector 2.4 Identify when assistance may be needed and seek help if required |
3. Collect specimen | 3.1 Adopt standard and additional infection control guidelines and precautions according to organisation documented procedure 3.2 Follow documented procedures for collection of sample 3.3 Use collection and clinical equipment appropriately and safely to avoid contamination of sample 3.4 Observe client during and after collection for potential adverse effects and respond according to procedure |
4. Follow post collection procedures | 4.1 Dispose of waste in accordance with infection control protocols and organisation policies and procedures 4.2 Accurately label sample in front of client with time and date of collection, client details and other required information following regulatory and organisational guidelines 4.3 Confirm information accuracy with client 4.4 Complete other collection documentation in accordance with organisation procedures 4.5 Prepare collected samples for transit or store |
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 for a minimum of 5 different specimen types selected from the following:
aspirates
breath
DNA swabs
nail clippings and/or scrapings
saliva
semen
skin scrapings
sputum
stool
swabs – bacterial, viral and PCR
urine
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 pathology collection, and how these are applied in organisations:
children in the workplace
duty of care
informed consent
mandatory reporting
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries
boundaries of responsibilities
sources of non blood sample requests and interactions with other health services
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
industry terminology used in specimen collection:
equipment
procedures
abbreviations
medical terminology
key aspects of anatomy and physiology sufficient to make safe specimen collection
clinical risk factors in specimen collection and procedures designed to minimise those risks for different specimen types
factors which may affect the chemical analysis of specimens and the impact on collection:
appropriate times to collect
timing of last dose
required fasting times
protecting the integrity of the specimen
features, functions and use of the following specimen collection equipment:
sterile jars
24hr urine containers with and without additives
swabs - viral, bacterial, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
paediatric urine collection bag
breath balloons
skin scraping equipment
nail clipping and scraping equipment
handling and storage methods for different specimen types
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
steri-wipes or alcohol wipes
paediatric urine bags
swabs
scalpels
sterile containers
breath balloons
collection devices for skin and nail scrapings
packaging equipment consistent with regulatory and organisational transport requirements
documented collection procedures for the candidate to follow
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
interactions with clients from the general public
presence of situations requiring problem solving
supervision of candidate’s work activities by a person currently working in a collection role for at least 18 hours in a fortnight time period
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. |