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.


Pathology specimen requests are made by:
Registered medical practitioner or specialist or nominated nursing staff eg nurse practitioner


Clients may include
Adults
Children and infants


Pre-test requirements include:
Client identification
Client details
Collection of clinical information
Appropriate procedures for paediatric clients may require specialised skills and knowledge


Pathology specimens other than blood may include:
Saliva
Sputum
Urine including via catheter
Semen
Stool
Swabs
Skin scraping
Breath
Aspirates


Protective clothing includes:
Gloves
Gowns
Masks
Goggles


Venues for collection may include:
Centres/clinics
Collection centre
Home visits
Hospitals
Other facilities including aged care and mental health facilities
General workplaces


Equipment includes:
Vacuum flasks
Syringes
Needles
Lancets
Steri-wipes
Band-Aids
Paediatric urine bags
Swabs
Scalpels
Sterile jars
Breath balloons
Scraping cards for skin and nail scrapings


Correct storage of specimens may include:
Kept on ice or dry ice
Kept warm
Actioned immediately
Protected from light
Use of fixatives
Procedures may be undertaken in an assisting role eg assisting a pathologist with a fine needle aspiration

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 preferred 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


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 may be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning


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:
However holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged