Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
20/10/2026 9:31 AM AWST
20/10/2026 9:31 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Assist with clinical procedures
Assist with clinical procedures
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTDEFHC402B
HLTDEFHC402B
State Code
D5864
D5864
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Original Release Date
25/03/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Description
DescriptorThis unit covers the competency required to assist the Health Care Practitioner to conduct clinical procedures for a client as part of a treatment plan or as part of a health promotion program
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for clinical procedure
- 1.1 Assess environment for suitability to conduct a clinical procedure
- 1.2 Establish sterile field in accordance with aseptic principles and infection control if required
- 1.3 Select and assemble equipment, consumables and documentation in accordance with health care practitioner's instructions/preferences, organisation policy, procedures and manufacturer's specifications
- 1.4 Arrange equipment in order of use and in accordance with the health care practitioner's requirements
- 1.5 Ensure emergency equipment and procedures are in place and ready for use
- 1.6 Use personal protective equipment as required
2. Prepare client for clinical procedure
- 2.1 Confirm informed consent from client
- 2.2 Assure and maintain confidentiality of client information
- 2.3 Prepare client in accordance with health care practitioner's instructions, organisation policies and procedures
3. Assist during the clinical procedure
- 3.1 Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures to reduce risk of infection in accordance with health care practitioner's instructions/preferences, organisation policy, procedures and manufacturer's specifications
- 3.2 Provide equipment and consumables to health care practitioner safely and in accordance with the needs of the procedure and the maintenance of sterility
- 3.3 Ensure personal movement around a sterile field conforms with aseptic principles to avoid contamination of the sterile field
- 3.4 Report any contamination of sterile field to health care practitioner
- 3.5 Assist health care practitioner in handling and monitoring the client
- 3.6 Receive, label and store pathology specimens in accordance with health care practitioner's instructions, organisation policies and procedures
- 3.7 Respond to emergency situations in accordance with health care practitioner's instructions, organisation policies and procedures
4. Conclude clinical procedures
- 4.1 Apply dressings in accordance with health care practitioner's instructions and clinical guidelines
- 4.2 Assist client with movement and ambulation post clinical procedure
- 4.3 Dispatch pathology specimens in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
- 4.4 Clean and/or dispose of equipment and consumables in accordance with manufacturers' requirements and infection control procedures
- 4.5 Store equipment in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.6 Make and document arrangements for client review according to clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures
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.
Clinical procedures may include:
Advanced physical examination i.e. pap smear, PR
Complex sterile wound dressing
Ear lavage
Minor surgical operative procedure
Placement of naso-gastric tube
Urinary catheterisation
Health care practitioner may include:
Nurse practitioner
Medical practitioner/doctor/specialist
Environment assessment may include:
Adequate lighting
Health care practitioner's specified needs
Suitable climate
Suitable client privacy
Equipment may include:
Axillary crutches/forearm crutches
Bowel and clinical containers
Dressing instruments
Dressing platform/trolley
Examination bed
Hypodermic needles and syringes
Irrigating/antiseptic solutions
Client examination or procedure bed
Pen light torch
Personal protective equipment
Skin closure material (suture/staples)
Solution bowels
Sterile drapes
Sterile surgical instruments such as tissue clamps, scalpel, surgical scissors and tissue forceps
Stitch cutter/staple remover
Surgical dressing packs
Surgical gowns, gloves and masks
Surgical lighting
Topical dressings and bindings
Consumables may include:
Alcohol cleansing wipes
Bandages and dressing application aids
Cotton buds
Disposable gloves
Examination gowns
Half-sheet for draping
Hazard bags for infection control
Instrument cleaning supplies
Irrigation solution
Ophthalmic irrigation solution
Pre-packed commercial dressing packs
Sharps containers
Sterile gauze
Wound dressings
Confidentiality of client information may be insured 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
Prepare client may include:
Correctly positioning
Performing surgical cleanse of the area
Performing a surgical prep
Removing clothing
Removing dressings and bindings
Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:
ADF Nursing Procedure Manual
ADF treatment protocols
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies standards
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards
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.
Clinical procedures may include:
Advanced physical examination i.e. pap smear, PR
Complex sterile wound dressing
Ear lavage
Minor surgical operative procedure
Placement of naso-gastric tube
Urinary catheterisation
Health care practitioner may include:
Nurse practitioner
Medical practitioner/doctor/specialist
Environment assessment may include:
Adequate lighting
Health care practitioner's specified needs
Suitable climate
Suitable client privacy
Equipment may include:
Axillary crutches/forearm crutches
Bowel and clinical containers
Dressing instruments
Dressing platform/trolley
Examination bed
Hypodermic needles and syringes
Irrigating/antiseptic solutions
Client examination or procedure bed
Pen light torch
Personal protective equipment
Skin closure material (suture/staples)
Solution bowels
Sterile drapes
Sterile surgical instruments such as tissue clamps, scalpel, surgical scissors and tissue forceps
Stitch cutter/staple remover
Surgical dressing packs
Surgical gowns, gloves and masks
Surgical lighting
Topical dressings and bindings
Consumables may include:
Alcohol cleansing wipes
Bandages and dressing application aids
Cotton buds
Disposable gloves
Examination gowns
Half-sheet for draping
Hazard bags for infection control
Instrument cleaning supplies
Irrigation solution
Ophthalmic irrigation solution
Pre-packed commercial dressing packs
Sharps containers
Sterile gauze
Wound dressings
Confidentiality of client information may be insured 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
Prepare client may include:
Correctly positioning
Performing surgical cleanse of the area
Performing a surgical prep
Removing clothing
Removing dressings and bindings
Clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols may include:
ADF Nursing Procedure Manual
ADF treatment protocols
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies standards
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards
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:
Assessment must be conducted over a minimum of three different clinical procedures as listed in the range statement
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 situations relevant to the work
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible
Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
appropriate equipment
scenarios that reflect a range of clinical procedures that may be expected in the workplace
relevant organisation policy, guidelines, and treatment protocols
relevant legislative and regulatory documents
manufacturers' specifications for the use and storage of equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of clinical procedures that could be expected in the workplace
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
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 may be assessed independently, but holistic assessment with other clinical units is encouraged
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:
Assessment must be conducted over a minimum of three different clinical procedures as listed in the range statement
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 situations relevant to the work
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible
Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
appropriate equipment
scenarios that reflect a range of clinical procedures that may be expected in the workplace
relevant organisation policy, guidelines, and treatment protocols
relevant legislative and regulatory documents
manufacturers' specifications for the use and storage of equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of clinical procedures that could be expected in the workplace
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
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 may be assessed independently, but holistic assessment with other clinical units is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9168 | HLTDEFHC402A | Assist with clinical procedures | Unit of competency |
