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.


Industry standards may include
RACGP Standards for General Practice
Australian and International Standards applying to lab work


Label may include
Client's name
Client's DOB
Client's identifier
Date
Time
Medical Assistant's name, signature or initials
Type of specimen
Location specimen taken from
Test required


Conditions may include
Temperature
Length of time
Exposure to light
Position, eg upright
Securely, where client details cannot be observed by unauthorised parties


Adverse incident may include
Breakage
Spillage
Needlestick or other injury
Deterioration of specimen
Cross-contamination


Documentation may include
In client's medical record
Forms used for ordering tests


Preparing specimens for transport may include
Packing fragile items appropriately
Placing in portable cooler (Esky) with cold packs


Tests may include
Chemical reagent strip urinalysis
Uriscreen
Pregnancy testing
Blood glucose level measurement (using glucometer)
Guthrie heel prick test
Centrifugation
Description of appearance, colour, odour

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
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:
Assessment should involve written and/or oral examination as well as simulation, demonstration and production of simulated work samples
Students are also to be assessed during practice placement through supervisor reports, self-reflective journals and observation


Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
scope of own medical assisting role
clinical procedures for medical assistants manual
RACGP Standards for General Practices
Australian and International Standards Applying to lab work
simulated general practice lab environment including range of equipment, eg centrifuge, and supplies, eg specimen containers, PPE and test ordering and reporting forms
simulated and/or sample specimens


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 holistically with other medical assisting units of competency