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. Add any 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.


Supervision includes:
The elements of direction, guidance, oversight and coordination of activities
Any requirements for supervision of the medical assistant as specified in relevant professional guidelines and/or organisation policies
Direct and/or indirect supervision, where:
direct supervision is provided when the medical practitioner (or delegated health care professional) is actually present, observes, works with and directs the person who is being supervised
indirect supervision is provided when the medical practitioner (or delegated health care professional) is easily contactable but does not directly observe the activities


Instructions may include:
Verbal
Standing orders
Written
By phone
Via electronic means


Confirm client identity may include:
Asking the client to confirm his/her name&DOB and checking this information against information in the medical record
Asking the client's guardian/carer to confirm client's name and DOB and checking this information against information in the medical record


Explain clinical procedure may include:
Confirming the client, and/or their guardian/carer, understands and agrees to the procedure(s) about to be undertaken
Confirming that the client's and/or guardian/carer's questions have been adequately answered
Outlining the sensations and side effects the client may experience


Checking for contraindications may include:
Checking the client's medical record to see if any allergies or previous adverse reactions to similar procedures are recorded
Asking the client and/or their guardian/carer if the client has any known allergies or previous adverse reactions to similar procedures
Confirming the client's current health status and/or previous related medical conditions with the medical practitioner


Preparing the client may include:
Correctly positioning
Removing clothing
Follow medical practitioner's directions to:
perform surgical cleanse of the area
perform a surgical prep
remove dressings and bindings


Positioning of client may include:
Sitting
Standing
Lying face down or face up on exam bed
Secured in guardian/carer's arms
Secure positioning of client using either guardian/carer, assistant or self
Instructing client appropriately, eg not to move
Discontinuing procedure if client is uncooperative


Contingencies may include:
Client fainting/loss of consciousness
Client struggling, kicking, biting, etc
Client movement
Equipment failure or breakage
Client refusing to cooperate


Signs of distress may include:
Client agitation
Client appearing pale, cold, clammy, sweating, slumping, shallow breathing
Client crying
Client aggressive
Client complaining of light-headedness or dizziness
Loss of consciousness
Client verbally refusing


Assisting medical practitioner with clinical procedures must include:
Assisting medical practitioner with:
simple wound care
suture and surgical clip removal
ear irrigation
throat swabs
collection of specimen(s)
venepuncture (phlebotomy)
removal of plasters
bandaging
application of splints and slings
administration of vitamin B12 injections
Assisting medical practitioner who is undertaking:
a physical exam
a PAP test
minor operations
nebulisation
plastering


Confidentiality of client information may be ensured by:
Adherence to Privacy Act
Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position
Legal and ethical requirements
Secure location for written records
Treatment room with privacy


Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:
Australian and State Standards and Legislation
Industry standards
Organisation procedures
Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures
Direct instructions from supervisor


Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards


Documentation may include:
Recording information in client's computerised or physical medical record, under supervision of the medical practitioner, including:
date and time of procedure
procedure performed
name of supplies used including batch and lot number and expiry date, if applicable
details of procedure
positioning of client for procedure
site of procedure
results of procedure
any adverse effects or incidents
advice or instructions given
information collected regarding client's current health status, physical and social function
medical assistant's signature or initials


Action required while monitoring client's condition may include
Obtaining assistance from medical team immediately
Discontinuing procedure as directed
Placing client in recovery position
Commencing emergency assistance


Abnormal situations may include
Significantly abnormal results
Altered response from client
Angry response from client


Assist may include
Helping client to different position
Providing client with supplies, eg tissues or wipes
Retrieving client's personal effects, eg clothing, for easy access
Helping client with movement and ambulation

EVIDENCE GUIDE

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 this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of clinical procedures relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Evidence of competence must be demonstrated in off the job (classroom) assessments prior to assessment during placement in a practice setting


Method of assessment:
Clinical assisting skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with:
HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status
HLTMAMP401B Assist with clinical measurements in a medical practice
HLTMAMP406B Manage emergency clients in a medical practice