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.


An appropriate health professional may include:
Registered nurse
Pathologist
Medical officer
ECG technician


ECG trace requests may come from:
A registered medical practitioner
Nominated nursing staff eg nurse practitioner


ECG machines may be:
Manual
Automatic


Client preparation and ECG recording may need to take into account:
Clients may be inflexible, arthritic, in pain, tense or stressed
Clients may be large or small
Difficulties in obtaining an accurate trace at the first attempt
Electrical interference may be caused by corroded electrodes or poor electrode skin contact
Skeletal muscle tremor is usually due to pain, discomfort or anxiety
Skeletal muscle activity is most commonly due to a cold environment and/or client movement
Wandering base line interference is commonly due to loose electrodes, but may also be due to a swaying cable or an unusually heavy diaphragm action in clients


Protective clothing may include:
Gloves
Gowns


Venues for electrocardiography may include:
Centres/clinics
Hospitals
Other institutions - ie Psychiatric institutions
Home

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:
Relevant ECG equipment and leads
ECG procedure manual
Emergency response procedures
Infection control procedures
Clinical risk assessment policy and procedures
Workplace health and safety guidelines
Other organisation policies and procedures
Duties statements and/or job descriptions


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 observation of performance
Interviewing and questioning
Computer-aided assessment
Staff/client feedback
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)


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 delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged