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.


Examination is organised means:
Consent is obtained from a parent/ guardian/ caregiver prior to commencing a physical examination of a minor or an adult under guardianship
Equipment is arranged
Equipment is checked/calibrated so that it is in good working order
Client and examiner are positioned
Examination is sequenced for efficiency and client and examiner comfort


Procedures are communicated may include:
Informing client of procedures to be carried out
Obtaining client consent at each stage of examination
An appropriate adult (parent/guardian/caregiver) must be present during examination of a minor or an adult under guardianship


Examination for vital signs must include competency in:
Measuring blood pressure, respiration and pulse rates, and temperature
Performing standardised sequence of examination
Using required equipment, including
sphygmomanometer
stethoscope
timing device
thermometer
peak flow meter and disposable mouth pieces, if required
Following standardised procedures for infection control


Areas of investigation may include:
Full screening examination
General appearance and vital signs
Skin
Head, eyes, ears, nose, oral cavity and throat
Neck
Breasts and axillae
Thorax and lungs
Heart and great vessels
Abdomen
Limbs
Neurological system
Lower back
Cardiovascular system
Reproductive system
Respiratory system
Gastrointestinal system
Urinary system
Endocrine system


Techniques include:
Inspection
Palpation
Auscultation
Percussion
Appropriate manoeuvres


Equipment must include:
Thermometer
Sphygmomanometer
Stethoscope
Timing device
Peak flow meter and disposable mouth pieces
Examination table
Otoscope
Penlight
Percussion (reflex) hammer
Measuring tape
Equipment for measuring height and weight
Goose-neck lamp or other light source
And may include:
Ophthalmoscope
Tuning fork(s)
Nasal speculum
Skin marking pencil
Glucometer and disposable lancets devices


Supplies required must include:
Half-sheet for draping
Examination gowns
Disposable gloves
Tongue depressors
Cotton-tipped swab
Gauze squares
Medi alcohol swabs
Hazard bags for infection control
Sharps containers
Instrument cleaning supplies
And may include:
Visual acuity charts
Goggles/protective eyewear


Extended interview may include:
Extended history taking
Formulating clinical diagnostic hypothesis
Data gathering and hypothesis testing
Identifying role of past medical history
Identifying role of client profile
Relating signs and symptoms to diagnostic areas using a standard system of clinical evaluation


Screening assessment must imply one of the following:
The need for further examination or investigation
The need for further evaluation of the signs and symptoms to establish a clinical diagnosis
A definite clinical diagnosis
A dangerous pathology or psychiatric condition
A condition which can be safely and satisfactorily managed by the practitioner


Screening assessment involves:
Establishing expected normal course of disease including:
natural duration of disease
progress, extension, radiation and pace
probability of remission


The need for referral may include:
Suspected dangerous pathology
Unknown symptom complex or condition
Signs of notifiable disease
Need for medical diagnostic information


Further diagnostic procedures may include:
Diagnostic laboratory tests
Diagnostic imaging
Referral to a diagnostician


Outcomes of referrals includes:
Ascertaining that diagnostic procedures or extended examination has been carried out by the appropriate practitioner
Assessing and analysing the data arising out of the referral

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
Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations 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
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Reference texts
Local legal guidelines
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Examples of assessment notes
Clinical 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 the following related competency units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTHOM601C Apply homœopathic diagnostic framework
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures