Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Blood collection for specialised tests undertaken with the assistance of a Pathologist, Scientist or other appropriate health professional may include:
Dynamic endocrine testing
Other blood collections for specialised testing as specified by organisation policies and procedures


Blood collection undertaken solely by the Pathology Collector for specialised testing may include:
Blood collections from premature neonates
Blood collections involving:
Special pre-test conditions (e.g. Dexamethasone, clients receiving chemotherapy)
Special tubes and equipment (e.g. Pyruvate, PKU, PTHrP tubes)
Special specimen handling procedures (e.g. Cryoglobulins, cold agglutinins)
Dynamic endocrine tests
Synacthen Stimulation tests
Other blood collections for specialised testing as specified by organisation policy


Pathology request may be:
In writing
Made by a medical or authorised nurse practitioner
But must be
In accordance with relevant legislation


Clients may include:
Adults
Adolescents
Paediatrics
Neonates
Premature neonates, subject to organisation policy and procedures


Organisation policy and procedures may include:
Scope of the Pathology Collector's role and practice
Entry to Critical Care areas, Neonatal ICU, Burns Unit or Spinal Unit
Access to humidicribs
Collections from clients in rotating beds
Pre-test criteria
Consent
Blood collection protocols
Work health and safety (WHS)
Collection of clinical information from clients
Correct use of personal protective equipment
Disposal of contaminated and cytotoxic wastes
Infection control
Maintenance of specimen integrity
Specimen transport requirements
Emergency response procedures


Pre-test criteria may include:
Client identification
Relevant client details
Collection of clinical information relevant to specialised test
Fasting
Other dietary restrictions
Drug therapy
Rest
Contraindications
Health status of the client
Respiratory status
Referral of issues to an appropriate health professional


Equipment and disposables include:
Tourniquets
Collection tubes
Temperature-controlled containers
Range of syringes and needles
Multi-sample needle and holder
Winged infusion set ("butterfly")
Evacuated blood collection equipment
Lancets
Sharps containers
Alcohol wipes
Dressings
Local anaesthetic skin cream


Personal protective equipment includes:
Gloves
Gowns
Aprons
Masks
Protective eye wear


Blood collection procedures may include:
Skin puncture
Venepuncture


Infection control procedures may include:
Standard and Additional precautions
Collection site preparation
Waste handling and disposal


Waste may include:
Clinical waste
Sharps
Cytotoxic waste
General waste
Personal and confidential waste


Documentation may include:
Record of test procedures
Complete and sign request form
Medical Record notation
Labelling
Data entry


Appropriate staff may include:
Registered Nurse
Nursing Unit Manager
Collection Centre staff


Correct storage requirements of specimens may include:
Use of ice or dry ice
Maintenance of warm temperature
Timely transfer to storage
Protection from light


Venues for collection may include:
Centres/clinics
Home visits - invalid, elderly or disabled clients
Hospitals
Other facilities including aged care and mental health facilities

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 workplace performance 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


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
A simulated workplace environment to mimic the relations and communications between client reception, blood collection, specimen reception and the laboratory may be appropriate for initial training and initial assessment
A real workplace is recommended for subsequent training and assessment
All necessary blood collection equipment and tubes
Current relevant organisation policy and procedure manuals


Method of assessment may include:
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
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
Interviewing and questioning
Computer-aided assessment


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 can be assessed independently; however holistic assessment practice with other pathology collection units of competency is encouraged