Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:03 AM AWST
23/07/2026 1:03 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.
Deliver basic clinical care
Deliver basic clinical care
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAMBCR401B
HLTAMBCR401B
State Code
D5737
D5737
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
01/08/2011
Field of Education
069905 - Paramedical Studies
Original Release Date
01/08/2011
Nominal Hours
60
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to deliver 'basic' client care in the out-of-hospital (or equivalent) environment by planning and administering procedures and monitoring the state of the client based on assessment of client needs
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Make initial client assessment
- 1.1 Conduct pre-planning before arrival at scene based on information communicated in request for service
- 1.2 Conduct scene survey according to local ambulance standard operation procedure
- 1.3 Conduct primary survey according to local ambulance standard operation procedure
- 1.4 Check and monitor vital signs in accordance with local ambulance standard operation procedure
- 1.5 Obtain history of the event
- 1.6 Conduct secondary survey, incorporating a systematic physical examination of the whole body
- 1.7 Identify chief complaints, including pattern and mechanism of illness or injury as a basis for prioritising treatment
- 1.8 Obtain client's medical history to ensure appropriate treatment is selected
- 1.9 Determine client's potential or actual time criticality versus transport criticality
- 1.10 Assess transport requirements and appropriate destination, considering client's condition and the type of resources needed to ensure that requirements of urgency and client care are met
2. Plan basic out-of-hospital client care
- 2.1 Establish priorities of care based on initial client assessment according to local ambulance standard operation procedure
- 2.2 Develop contingency plans based on mechanisms of injury and potential for client deterioration according to local ambulance standard operation procedure
3. Implement basic client care procedures
- 3.1 Commence all client care procedures and drug therapies within the individual's level of expertise and authority to practise and limits of the local ambulance clinical practice guidelines/protocols
- 3.2 Where the situation or client's condition requires treatment that is outside the scope or authority to practise of the attending officer, immediately recognise the need for assistance and seek help
- 3.3 Correctly operate ambulance equipment as required for client management according to manufacturer/supplier's instructions and local clinical guidelines/protocols
- 3.4 Implement client care techniques in accordance with infection control procedures and techniques
- 3.5 Use safe lifting and client handling techniques in accordance with OHS requirements and organisation policy and procedures
4. Monitor basic client care and modify as required
- 4.1 Re-assess client and presenting conditions at appropriate intervals and modify treatment as required according to local ambulance standard operation procedure
- 4.2 Modify drug therapy noting effectiveness of treatment regime and amend according to client's condition
- 4.3 Identify and initiate need for advanced levels of intervention and action
5. Hand over client requiring basic care
- 5.1 Document relevant client details according to local ambulance standard operation procedure
- 5.2 Maintain client confidentiality at all times
- 5.3 Ensure documentation for handover procedures conveys all necessary information
- 5.4 Convey information appropriately to those individuals involved in ongoing client care to facilitate understanding and optimise continuing care
- 5.5 Maintain client care until responsibility for client care is taken over by staff of the receiving agency
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.
Pre-planning may include, but is not limited to:
Potential resources required such as equipment, personnel, other services
Access and egress requirements
Identification of potential safety issues
Scene survey may include, but is not limited to:
Identification of dangers and hazards
Operational safety
Confirmation of location and initial case details
Determination of access, egress and initial equipment requirements
Client assessment must include but is not limited to:
Integration of principles of anatomy and physiology, primary, vital sign and secondary surveys, including non-obvious clinical signs, using applied clinical knowledge at the basic level of client care
Primary survey must include, but is not limited to:
Dangers
Response
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Vital signs may include, but are not limited to:
Conscious state assessment e.g. Glasgow Coma Score, AVPU alert, voice, pain, unconscious
Respiratory status assessment, e.g. rate, rhythm, effort and breath sounds
Perfusion status assessment, e.g. pulse, blood pressure, capillary refill and skin
Secondary survey may include, but is not limited to:
Systematic head to toe physical body examination
Assessment of time criticality as indicated by physiological status or pattern and mechanism of injury
History of event includes present history and may be elicited from:
Client
Bystanders
Primary carers
Medical personnel
Medi-alert bracelet
Evidence at the scene
Client history includes:
Pre-existing conditions
Allergies
Current medication or treatment
Chief complaints, including pattern and mechanism of illness or injury must include, but are not limited to:
Kinematics of trauma
Burns trauma
Extremity trauma
Neurological insult
Mental health disorders
Metabolic disorders
Poisoning or overdose emergency
Cardio-vascular insult
Hypoperfusion
Immunological disorders
Respiratory disorders
Thoracic trauma
Abdominal disorders or trauma
Urogenital disorders or trauma
Gynaecological disorders
Medical or traumatic obstetric disorders
Paediatric medical or traumatic disorders
Medical or traumatic geriatric disorders
Situation involves a client in need and may include, but is not limited to:
Transfer of client with pre-diagnosed illness or injury
Transfer of client with sudden undiagnosed illness or injury
Management of client in trauma or with undiagnosed illness
Mode of transport is selected for its availability and potential to provide the means of mobile care most suited to the needs of the client and may include, but is not limited to:
Road ambulances
Clinic cars
Rescue or retrieval units
Fixed and rotary wing aircraft
Water-borne craft
Four wheel drive vehicle
Client management will need to take into account:
Location and nature of incident
Environmental conditions
Number of casualties and potential casualties
Use and availability of ambulance equipment and pharmaceuticals
Drug therapy used in the treatment of a client's condition may include, but is not limited to:
Basic pharmacological agents for management of bronchospasm, pain (medical including cardiac) trauma and hypoglycaemia
Other medications as indicated by local ambulance clinical guidelines/protocols
Interventions expected to be utilised where client's condition indicates they would be of some benefit include but are not limited to:
Airway management ie manual airway techniques, oropharyngeal airway and suction
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Intramuscular injections
Traction and other types of splinting
Non-verbal cues may include, but are not limited to:
Posturing
Gait
Anxiety
Types of documentation may include, but are not limited to:
Incident reports
Handover reports
Case management material
Persons authorised to receive confidential information may include, but are not limited to:
Medical personnel at hospitals and surgeries
Police Officers
Legal practitioners
Others, where approved as acting in the best interests of the client
Reports may include, but are not limited to:
Oral or written reports
Client handover
Incident reports
Patient Care Record
Case management material
Acts and regulations are those specified in each State/Territory and include, but are not limited to:
Confidentiality and privacy
Freedom of information
Drug and poisons regulations
Health
Mental Health
Policy and procedures may include, but are not limited to:
Organisation policies and procedures
Documentation
Reporting of client medical information
Occupational Health and safety
Clinical Practice Guidelines/Protocols
Operational
Medico-legal
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.
Pre-planning may include, but is not limited to:
Potential resources required such as equipment, personnel, other services
Access and egress requirements
Identification of potential safety issues
Scene survey may include, but is not limited to:
Identification of dangers and hazards
Operational safety
Confirmation of location and initial case details
Determination of access, egress and initial equipment requirements
Client assessment must include but is not limited to:
Integration of principles of anatomy and physiology, primary, vital sign and secondary surveys, including non-obvious clinical signs, using applied clinical knowledge at the basic level of client care
Primary survey must include, but is not limited to:
Dangers
Response
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Vital signs may include, but are not limited to:
Conscious state assessment e.g. Glasgow Coma Score, AVPU alert, voice, pain, unconscious
Respiratory status assessment, e.g. rate, rhythm, effort and breath sounds
Perfusion status assessment, e.g. pulse, blood pressure, capillary refill and skin
Secondary survey may include, but is not limited to:
Systematic head to toe physical body examination
Assessment of time criticality as indicated by physiological status or pattern and mechanism of injury
History of event includes present history and may be elicited from:
Client
Bystanders
Primary carers
Medical personnel
Medi-alert bracelet
Evidence at the scene
Client history includes:
Pre-existing conditions
Allergies
Current medication or treatment
Chief complaints, including pattern and mechanism of illness or injury must include, but are not limited to:
Kinematics of trauma
Burns trauma
Extremity trauma
Neurological insult
Mental health disorders
Metabolic disorders
Poisoning or overdose emergency
Cardio-vascular insult
Hypoperfusion
Immunological disorders
Respiratory disorders
Thoracic trauma
Abdominal disorders or trauma
Urogenital disorders or trauma
Gynaecological disorders
Medical or traumatic obstetric disorders
Paediatric medical or traumatic disorders
Medical or traumatic geriatric disorders
Situation involves a client in need and may include, but is not limited to:
Transfer of client with pre-diagnosed illness or injury
Transfer of client with sudden undiagnosed illness or injury
Management of client in trauma or with undiagnosed illness
Mode of transport is selected for its availability and potential to provide the means of mobile care most suited to the needs of the client and may include, but is not limited to:
Road ambulances
Clinic cars
Rescue or retrieval units
Fixed and rotary wing aircraft
Water-borne craft
Four wheel drive vehicle
Client management will need to take into account:
Location and nature of incident
Environmental conditions
Number of casualties and potential casualties
Use and availability of ambulance equipment and pharmaceuticals
Drug therapy used in the treatment of a client's condition may include, but is not limited to:
Basic pharmacological agents for management of bronchospasm, pain (medical including cardiac) trauma and hypoglycaemia
Other medications as indicated by local ambulance clinical guidelines/protocols
Interventions expected to be utilised where client's condition indicates they would be of some benefit include but are not limited to:
Airway management ie manual airway techniques, oropharyngeal airway and suction
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Intramuscular injections
Traction and other types of splinting
Non-verbal cues may include, but are not limited to:
Posturing
Gait
Anxiety
Types of documentation may include, but are not limited to:
Incident reports
Handover reports
Case management material
Persons authorised to receive confidential information may include, but are not limited to:
Medical personnel at hospitals and surgeries
Police Officers
Legal practitioners
Others, where approved as acting in the best interests of the client
Reports may include, but are not limited to:
Oral or written reports
Client handover
Incident reports
Patient Care Record
Case management material
Acts and regulations are those specified in each State/Territory and include, but are not limited to:
Confidentiality and privacy
Freedom of information
Drug and poisons regulations
Health
Mental Health
Policy and procedures may include, but are not limited to:
Organisation policies and procedures
Documentation
Reporting of client medical information
Occupational Health and safety
Clinical Practice Guidelines/Protocols
Operational
Medico-legal
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 establish acquisition of Essential Knowledge across the Range Statement outlined in HLTAP401A Confirm physical health status prior to assessment of skills application for this unit
Skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory/practical)
After successful completion of initial assessment, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
The application of skills and knowledge described in this competency unit should be assessed in conjunction with the application of knowledge and skills identified in HLTAP401A Confirm physical health status
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge and skills identified for this competency unit before undertaking independent workplace application
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
Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace and simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can be conducted
Evidence must include observation of performance in the workplace and a simulated work situation
Access to equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Evidence must include observation of performance in an actual or simulated work setting
Observations, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment
Demonstration over a period of time to ensure consistency of performance
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 establish acquisition of Essential Knowledge across the Range Statement outlined in HLTAP401A Confirm physical health status prior to assessment of skills application for this unit
Skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory/practical)
After successful completion of initial assessment, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
The application of skills and knowledge described in this competency unit should be assessed in conjunction with the application of knowledge and skills identified in HLTAP401A Confirm physical health status
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge and skills identified for this competency unit before undertaking independent workplace application
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
Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace and simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can be conducted
Evidence must include observation of performance in the workplace and a simulated work situation
Access to equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Evidence must include observation of performance in an actual or simulated work setting
Observations, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment
Demonstration over a period of time to ensure consistency of performance
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9045 | HLTAMBCR401A | Deliver basic clinical care | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD046 | HLTAMBCR401C | Deliver basic clinical care | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D053 | HLT33107 | Certificate III in Basic Health Care | Qualification |