This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to provide medical care to people who are sick and/or injured while they remain onboard a vessel.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

Engineer Class 1 (STCW Chief Engineer Unlimited)

Engineer Class 2 (STCW Second Engineer Unlimited)

Master of a commercial vessel Unlimited

Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT)

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit.

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as an Engineer Class 1 (STCW Chief Engineer Unlimited), Engineer Class 2 (STCW Second Engineer Unlimited) or Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) or Master Unlimited and to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Those regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Manage vessel medical care

1.1

Availability of adequate resources is monitored and maintained to support medical responses

1.2

Regular inspections of stock and equipment are conducted to ensure currency and operational readiness according to organisational requirements

1.3

Equipment and resources are stored and maintained according to regulatory requirements and manufacturer/supplier instructions

1.4

Risks on the vessel are reviewed and organisational policies and procedures related to the provision of medical care are validated

1.5

Planning is conducted for responses to major incidents onboard the vessel

2

Take charge of a casualty onboard vessel

2.1

Safety of injured or ill person, bystanders and self in an accident situation is assessed according to first aid procedures

2.2

Safety requirements associated with providing medical care and vessel environmental requirements are adhered to

2.3

Condition of injured or ill person is assessed according to first aid procedures

2.4

Position of injured or ill person is adjusted to optimise personal comfort for the medical condition or injury

2.5

Injured or ill person is reassured and supported during the wait for medical assistance

2.6

Nature of the illness/injury is explained to injured or ill person

2.7

Significance of changes in person’s condition is promptly recognised and appropriate action is taken if there are signs of deterioration in injured or ill person

2.8

Calm, confident and reassuring personal attitude is conveyed

3

Provide medical care

3.1

Medical emergencies and injuries are identified and assessed correctly, and appropriate action is taken to prevent further injury

3.2

Symptoms and appropriate treatment are identified based on the concepts of clinical examination and medical history

3.3

Medical emergencies and injuries are diagnosed and managed according to accepted medical practice, and relevant national and international guides

3.4

Manufacturer recommendations and accepted medical practice with regard to dosage and application of drugs and medication are complied with

3.5

Complete and effective methods to protect against infection and spread of diseases are used

3.6

Resuscitation techniques are performed following safety procedures, if required

3.7

Appropriate techniques for moving injured or ill person are used

3.8

Resources and equipment are recovered and reprocessed, and waste is disposed of safely

4

Seek external assistance

4.1

Condition of injured or ill person is documented over time to assist with ongoing management

4.2

Communication links are established with external medical services to ensure prompt control action is taken

4.3

Clinical examination procedures are completed and instructions received are complied with

4.4

Assessment of person’s condition is relayed to external medical advisors

4.5

Medical procedures are carried out under medical instruction using relevant communication equipment and instructions received are complied with

4.6

Condition of injured or ill person is evaluated to determine transport requirements for additional medical care

4.7

Preparation for the evacuation of injured or ill person by emergency services is provided, if required, according to organisational procedures and welfare of person is maximised

4.8

Resources and equipment are recovered and reprocessed, and waste is disposed of safely

5

Manage first aid records

5.1

Documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and records maintained

5.2

Relevant documents are sent to appropriate bodies in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements

5.3

Confidentiality of records and information is maintained in accordance with privacy principles and regulatory and organisational requirements

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

caring of casualty involving:

burns, scalds and frostbite

external and internal bleeding

fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries

head and spinal injuries

injuries of ear, nose, throat and eyes

wounds, wound healing and infection

completing documents, including:

casualty history forms

first aid risk assessment

incident/injury reports

infection control records

management records

medical histories

medication registers

dealing with a death at sea

dressing and bandaging

giving vaccinations or other injections

managing acute abdominal conditions

preparing for evacuation, including:

communicating with helicopter, vessel or ambulance conducting the evacuation

relevant medical and first aid supplies and resources

selecting relevant communication equipment

providing:

dental care

gynaecological, pregnancy and childbirth support

medical care of rescued persons

minor surgical treatment

pain relief

treating:

alcohol and drug abuse

sexually transmitted diseases

tropical and infectious diseases

using disease prevention techniques, including disinfection, de-infestation and de-ratting

using suturing and clamping techniques

using company policies.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

alcohol and drug abuse

care of:

burns, scalds and frostbite

external and internal bleeding

fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries

head and spinal injuries

injuries of ear, nose, throat and eyes

wounds, wound healing and infection

death at sea

dental care

disease prevention, including disinfection, de-infestation and de-ratting

dressing and bandaging

general principles of nursing

gynaecology, pregnancy and childbirth

hygiene

international and national maritime medical regulations and publications, including:

International Medical Guide for Ships

International Code of Signals

Medical First Aid Guide (IMFAG)

management of acute abdominal conditions

medical care of rescued persons

medical care of sick seafarers involving cooperation with port health authorities or out-patient wards in port

medical conditions and emergencies

minor surgical treatment

nursing care

pain relief

quarantine regulations and required advices such as pratique, notification of disease on board

radio medical advice

sexually transmitted diseases

techniques of suturing and clamping

transportation of injured or ill persons including helicopter evacuation

tropical and infectious diseases

vaccinations

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Not applicable.

F – Operational Quality and Safety