Application
The application of this unit in the workplace covers the administration of restricted pain relief such as analgesics and aspirin, according to a medically endorsed protocol.
The unit is typically relevant for personnel from emergency services and/or volunteer organisations or organisations that provide a medically supervised first aid service.
Prerequisites
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
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 considered. 1.3 Contraindications and precautions for use of analgesic drug are identified and use being appropriate for casualty is confirmed. 1.4 Appropriate dosage for casualty is confirmed. 1.5 Emergency medical aid is requested. |
2. Access and prepare analgesic | 2.1 Secure storage of analgesic drug is accessed. 2.2 Required documentation is completed. 2.3 Retrieval of correct drug within its expiry date is confirmed. 2.4 Analgesic drug is prepared according to required standards. |
3. Administer analgesic | 3.1 Purpose of the analgesic drug is explained to casualty. 3.2 Casualty is instructed in the use of the analgesic drug. 3.3 Casualty consent to administer treatment is obtained. 3.4 Analgesic drug is administered according to required standards. 3.5 Casualty is continuously monitored while 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 according to required standards. |
5. Complete analgesic use requirements | 5.1 Unused analgesic drugs are disposed of in accordance with required standards. 5.2 Details of use of drugs are recorded in relevant logs in accordance with required standards. 5.3 Debriefing/evaluation of incident is participated in. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
communicate with casualty to provide comfort and instruction in use of analgesic drugs as required complete written logs and documentation request for an ambulance and/or medical assistance according to relevant circumstances and report casualty condition use literacy and numeracy skills as required to read, interpret and apply guidelines and protocols |
Required Knowledge |
contraindications and precautions for the use of analgesic drugs organisational permits for the use of restricted analgesic drugs organisational protocols and standard operating procedures covering the storage and administration of restricted drugs relevant legislation covering the storage and administration of restricted drugs safety procedures for the operation of pressurised gases as relevant to available analgesics state/territory regulatory requirements for the currency of skills and knowledge |
Evidence Required
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 competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: identify appropriate situations to use analgesic drugs during first aid safely administer analgesic drugs accurately document storage and use of restricted analgesic drugs. Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated within the requirements of a specific organisation with appropriate authority to administer restricted analgesic drugs in actual first aid situations or scenarios. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed within the requirements of a specific organisation with appropriate authority to administer restricted analgesic drugs in actual first aid situations or scenarios. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: protocols, operating procedures and organisational documentation relating to storage and use of restricted analgesic drugs from an organisation with appropriate approvals to use analgesic drug during first aid analgesic equipment or relevant placebos used in the approved organisation |
Method of assessment | In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook. Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment. Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include: direct observation interviewing the candidate journals and workplace documentation third party reports from supervisors written or oral questions |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Available options for pain relief may include: | Entinox heat treatment for penetrating marine creature injuries ice for local skin pain Methoxyflurane reassurance |
Contraindications may include: | already received maximum allowable dosage of drug pre-existing medical conditions specific injuries or illnesses |
Precautions may include: | pre-existing medical conditions specific injuries or illnesses |
Secure storage may include: | drug safely secured in a first aid facility drug safely secured in a vehicle |
Required documentation may include: | drug register treatment report form |
Required standards may include: | manufacturer’s guidelines organisational protocols permits for use state/territory legislation and regulations |
Continuously monitoring casualty may include: | assessing vital signs such as: level of consciousness breathing rate pulse rate skin colour and temperature remaining with casualty |
Details may include: | casualty injuries drugs administered such as: type of drug dosage of drug administered time of drug administration treatment provided |
Record of treatment may include: | specific organisational first aid and drug administration form written report |
Relevant logs may include: | drug registers incident report logs operational logs treatment logs |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.