Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Legislative requirements may relate to:
applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation which affects work such as Acts covering:
children and young persons
young offenders
OHS
privacy
anti-discrimination
mental health.
applicable Crimes Acts or Codes
Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
clients with mental health issues
general 'duty of care' responsibilities
powers and procedures for effecting an arrest
privacy
relevant industry codes of practice
security licensing or certification
use of force.
Organisational requirements may relate to:
access and equity policy, principles and practice
client service standards
code of conduct
code of ethics
communication channels and reporting procedures
emergency and evacuation procedures
employer and employee rights and responsibilities
OHS policies, procedures and programs
organisational goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
reporting systems, procedures and processes
security licensing.
Health care environment may be:
public or private hospital
aged care facility
prison
mental health institution.
Duty of care requirements:
relate to the legal responsibility under "duty of care" to do everything reasonably practicable to protect others from harm
may relate to own responsibilities to comply with safe working practices including activities which require licences or certificates of competency.
Designated personnelmay include:
colleagues
emergency services (eg police, ambulance, fire brigade, emergency rescue)
first aid officer
medical practitioners
nursing staff
OHS representatives
security personnel
supervisor.
OHS requirements may include:
controlling and minimising risks
correct manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying
first aid
identifying and reporting hazards and risks
knowledge of emergency and evacuation procedures
transporting and storing dangerous goods
using and maintaining equipment
using and maintaining personal protection equipment
using and storing hazardous materials and substances.
Security risksmay include:
dangerous items
noise, light, heat, smoke
persons carrying weapons
persons causing a public nuisance
persons demonstrating suspicious or disturbed behaviour
persons suffering from emotional or physical distress
persons under the influence of intoxicating substances
persons with criminal intent
persons, vehicles and equipment in unsuitable locations
suspicious packages or substances
terrorism
violence or physical threats.
Procedures for monitoring securitymay include:
ensuring entry and exit to health care environment is only by people with valid authorisations
following designated organisational procedures
maintaining awareness to promptly recognise changes in behaviour and potential risks
maintaining constant observation to detect hazardous substances or dangerous items
maintaining vigilance and awareness of security while at work
observing individual and group behaviour
providing a visible presence
recording details of observed risk situations.
Techniquesmay include:
avoiding acting aggressively, abusively or offensively
evasive self defence
remaining firm and professional
requesting assistance
use of communication and interpersonal skills to calm or pacify health clients
use of professional judgement to discourage aggressive or anti-social behaviour before it escalates.
Behavioural problemsmay relate to a person being:
aggressive
agitated
anti-social
disturbed
elated
emotional
fearful
hallucinatory
hyperactive
hysterical
impulsive or explosive
nervous or anxious
noisy
over-talkative or talking at a racing speed
paranoid
self-harming
threatening
violent.
Appropriate actions for maintaining security and safetymay include:
apprehension or restraint of the person involved (with reasonable force if necessary)
control of tone of voice and body language
defusing the situation
provision of emergency first aid
seeking assistance or back-up
tactical withdrawal
use of language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
use of positive, confident and cooperative language.
Procedures for reportingsecurity risksmay include:
completing documentation such as logs, journals and activity reports
completing police reports
completing written and computer reports
contacting designated personnel
recording security risk and incident details
requesting security assistance.
Incidentsmay relate to:
accidents
attempted suicides
emergencies
self harm
situations requiring medical assistance
situations requiring use of force or restraint
situations resulting in harm, injury or damage to people or property.
Communication channelsmay include:
direct line supervision paths
formal communication pathways
lateral supervision paths
organisational networks.
Communication modesmay include:
alarms
call codes and signs
electronic communication
hand signals
verbal communication
written communication.
Communication equipmentmay include:
megaphone
mobile telephone
public address system
telephone
two-way radio.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of understanding and knowledge of the following:
applicable legislative, organisational and OHS requirements relevant to applying security in a health care environment including relevant mental health legislation
own duty of care requirements, role, responsibilities and level of authority
the range of potential security risks related to a health care environment, and appropriate techniques for responding to behavioural problems arising from persons with mental health issues
general procedures for monitoring and maintaining security in a health care environment including requirements for emergency, evacuation and first aid response
procedures for reporting identified security risks and incidents including use of communication equipment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment includes:
a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.
Resource implications for assessment include:
access to a suitable venue and equipment
access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures
work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements
assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book
access to a registered provider of assessment services.
Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Method of assessment
This unit of competency should be assessed using questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.
Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.