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

Sleep studies are commonly conducted in hospitals within sleep units or general ward areas, and in private clinics

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

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Calibrate equipment to the client

1.1 Check and respond to quality of all signals

1.2 Establish client's awake baseline waveforms

1.3 Explain the procedure clearly and simply to the client and obtain client consent/agreement as required

1.4 Meet the special needs of the client

2. Monitor overnight recording

2.1 Assess the quality of recording continuously and respond in order to provide a recording that is of diagnostic value

2.2 Recognise sleep stages and transitions according to criteria

2.3 Observe client throughout the procedure and respond accordingly

2.4 Document observations at regular intervals according to organisation policy and procedures

2.5 Document both technical and client related events

2.6 Identify and respond to clinical emergencies in accordance with organisation emergency procedures

3. Complete overnight procedure

3.1 Terminate recording

3.2 Remove EEG leads and electrodes from client and wash paste/gel off

3.3 Provide client with assistance as required, on completion of the procedure

3.4 Ascertain and document client's assessment of their sleep quality

3.5 Provide reassurance to client

3.6 Confirm timely follow up with referring doctor for results

3.7 Clean, disinfect and store equipment according to organisation policy and procedure, infection control guidelines and manufacturer's instructions

3.8 Re stock equipment and materials

3.9 Clean and restore environment

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:

Anatomy and physiology relevant for sleep studies

Basic electrical knowledge and electrical safety requirements

Causes of the common trace interference and the appropriate remedies

Confidentiality requirements of client information

Emergency procedures in the event of a clinical emergency relevant in the performance of a diagnostic sleep study

General knowledge of infection control principles and their application relevant for sleep studies

Identify artefacts and their source

Recognise normal waveforms relating to levels of sleep

Routine maintenance policy and procedures for equipment

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply knowledge of boundaries of responsibilities and ability to refer problems to supervisor or other appropriate health professional

Communicate effectively with clients/carers in relation to the procedure and manage clients' anxiety level

Comply with policies and procedures including those of OHS and infection control

Demonstrate all steps that must be taken to ensure equipment is safe for use

Identify and manage all forms of interference with trace

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:

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Correctly anchor electrodes, sensors and leads

Correctly connect electrodes to headbox

Correctly operate a sleep study machine and associated monitoring equipment

Correctly prepare skin

Deal with conflict

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

Demonstrate basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Identify a sleep study trace that is unsatisfactory for diagnostic purposes

Manage the known common interferences in the production of a sleep study trace

Place and attach electrodes to achieve an EEG recording of diagnostic quality

Produce a sleep study trace satisfactory for diagnostic purposes

Solve problems including an ability to use available 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

literacy 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 that involves reading and documenting clinical information and understanding complex policy and procedure manuals

Work with others and display empathy with client 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:

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 performing a diagnostic sleep study

Observation of simulation and/or role play when an performing a diagnostic sleep study

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 performing a diagnostic sleep study (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)

Training records associated with First Aid, OH Safety 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 related units:

HLTSL401C Prepare environment to perform sleep studies

HLTSL402C Prepare client for sleep study procedure

HLTSL404C Perform treatment sleep study

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.

Clients may include:

Infants

Children

Adolescents

Adults

Elderly

Signals/waveforms may include:

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electromyography (EMG)

Electro-oculography (EOG)

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Respiratory flow

Chest/abdominal movement

Limb movement

Oxygen saturation

Transcutaneous carbon dioxide

Position monitor

Sound monitor (snore sensor)

Movement

Temperature

Oesophageal

Video/camera

Response to poor signal quality may include:

Check connections of electrodes and cables

Exchange or replace electrodes

Change derivation

Replace and/or adjust malfunctioning equipment

Client's special needs may include:

Neuromuscular disorders

Insulin dependent diabetes

Parkinson's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Claustrophobia

Medical conditions requiring nursing care

Other conditions requiring additional monitoring

Sleep stages must include:

Wake

REM

Non-REM, including stages I, II, III, IV

Sleep transitions must include:

Sleep onset

REM onset

Technical events may include:

Poor signal quality

Artefacts

Change in sampling

Sensor change

Reference change

Oxygen desaturation

Client related events may include:

Sleep walking

Sleep talking

Abnormal limb movements

Attending to client needs

Toilet visits

Client restlessness

Client agitation

Clinical emergencies may include:

Severe respiratory distress

Cardio-respiratory arrest

Sleep quality may include:

Symptoms eg headache, dry mouth, gasping for air, choking, thrashing around

Length of sleep

Typical sleep

Arousals

This unit contains Employability Skills