This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to administer restricted analgesics to provide pain management as part of a medically supervised first responder organisation. It includes identifying the need for analgesia; accessing, preparing and administering restricted pain relief such as analgesics and aspirin according to medically endorsed protocols; performing casualty handovers and completing analgesic use requirements.

The unit is applicable for personnel from emergency services, volunteer organisations or organisations that provide a medically supervised first aid service. Licensing requirements for the storage and administration of drugs may apply.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Identify need for analgesia

1.1

Casualty's need for pain relief is identified

1.2

Available options to relieve casualty's pain are reviewed

1.3

Contraindications and precautions for use of analgesic drug are identified and appropriate use for casualty is confirmed

1.4

Appropriate dosage for casualty is confirmed, in accordance with organisational procedures, industry standards and protocols

1.5

Emergency medical assistance is requested, as required

2

Access and prepare analgesic

2.1

Secure storage of analgesic drug is accessed, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.2

Analgesic documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Retrieval of correct drug within its expiry date is confirmed, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.4

Analgesic drug is prepared, in accordance with industry standards and organisational procedures

3

Administer analgesic

3.1

Purpose of the analgesic drug is explained to casualty

3.2

Casualty is advised as to use of the analgesic drug and its potential impact

3.3

Casualty consent to administer treatment is obtained

3.4

Analgesic drug is administered, in accordance with industry standards and protocols

3.5

Casualty is continuously monitored whilst administering analgesic drug

4

Perform casualty handover

4.1

Details of incident including analgesic drug administration are communicated to medical personnel

4.2

Written record of treatment including analgesic drug and dosage is supplied to medical personnel in accordance with organisational procedures

5

Complete analgesic use requirements

5.1

Unused analgesic drugs are disposed of, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

Details of drugs use is recorded in log, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Debriefing and/or evaluation of incident is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures

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.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Public Safety

Emergency Care