Elements and Performance Criteria

Clinical and personal information may include:
Clinical history
Allergies
Current and recent medications
Recent illnesses
Reactions/complications to previous collection procedures

Clinical risks may relate to or include:
Reactions and complications to procedure
Infection
Hemoconcentration
Haemolysis
Blood components
Needle stick injury
Excessive bleeding
Damage to nervous system
Vascular damage
Location of venous access
Concurrent treatments and therapy
IV therapy

Collection procedure may include:
Blood collection
Other specimen collection
Pre-test criteria relates to the organisation's clinical screening process and patient information collection that is undertaken prior to performance of a collection procedure

Appropriate person may include:
Supervisor
Other Pathology Collection staff
Medical Scientist
Medical Officer
Pathologist

Emergency procedures may include:
As determined by organisational policies and procedures
First aid procedures
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Immediate notification to appropriate personnel
Contact ambulance service
Following hospital emergency procedures if the patient/client is in hospital

First Aid protocols may relate to:
Fainting
Nerve damage
Haematoma
Petechiae
Seizures
Mastectomy patients
Oedema
Obesity of patient
Damaged veins
Excessive bleeding

Critical aspects of assessment must include:
Anatomy and physiology relevant to the range of collection sites and procedures
Assessment of potential clinical risks to individual clients/patients of a range of collection procedures
Emergency procedures for client/patient reactions and complications

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other general health services units of competency is encouraged.

Co-assessment may be considered with:
HLTPAT4A Collect pathology specimens
HLTPAT6A Perform blood collection

Essential knowledge required includes:
Elementary anatomy and physiology of the vascular and nervous systems, particularly the close association of blood vessels and nerves, of the limbs relevant to Pathology Collection
Elementary anatomy of arteries, veins and capillaries
Elementary anatomy and physiology of the heart relevant to Pathology Collection
Direction of flow of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood through the heart and lungs
Common reactions and complications of pathology collection procedures relevant to work role
Relevant medical terminology and common clinical laboratory abbreviations

Essential skills required include:
Identify and locate the blood vessels and nerves relevant to the range of collection sites
Identification of major veins in limbs
Follow response procedures to median nerve injury during venepuncture
Identify the greater blood vessels which enter and exit the heart
Identify significant structures of the heart
Identify elementary functions, common disorders and common diagnostic tests for each of the skeletal, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and lymphatic systems relevant to work role
Client/patient positioning skills for various collection procedures
Follow emergency response procedures for client/patient reactions and complications
First aid
Client/patient observation skills for detection of reactions and complications
Numeracy skills range from the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to recording data
Oral communication skills and language competence required to fulfill job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation. Assessors should look for skills in asking questions, providing clear information, listening to and understanding workplace instructions, and clarifying workplace instructions when necessary. The organisation may require competence in English or community language, depending on client group.
Problem solving skills required include the ability to use available resources, assemble equipment and prioritise workload

Resource implications
Resource requirements include access to:
Relevant equipment
Training arm
Emergency response procedures
Infection control procedures
Clinical risk assessment policy and procedures
Workplace health and safety guidelines
Laboratory policy and procedure guidelines
Pre-test criteria
Other organisational policies and procedures
Duties statements and/or job descriptions

Method of assessment
Assessment may include:
Observation of performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Computer-aided assessment
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions. Assessment may be conducted on more than one occasion to cover a variety of situations.

A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment.