Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This competency unit deals with the provision of advanced First Aid response, including life support. It covers the assessment of the situation, management of casualty(s), coordination of First Aid activities until the arrival of medical or other assistance, and provision of support to other providers.

Application of the unit 

Prerequisite units 

MSAPMOHS220A 

Provide initial First Aid response 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess the situation

1.1. Identify physical hazards and minimise according to OHS requirements and workplace procedures

1.2. Assess risks to First Aider and others and determine appropriate response to ensure prompt control of situation

1.3. Ascertain and prioritise need for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required

2. Manage the casualty(s)

2.1. Seek agreement for management of casualty injury/illness from appropriate person(s), where relevant

2.2. Determine welfare procedure and implement according to casualty needs

2.3. Control effects of injury and determine appropriate First Aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation

2.4. Administer medication according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions and subject to casualty regime

2.5. Monitor and respond to casualty condition in a timely manner in accordance with effective First Aid principles

2.6. Correctly operate life support equipment where appropriate, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions

2.7. Finalise management according to casualty needs and First Aid principles.

3. Coordinate First Aid activities until arrival of medical assistance

3.1. Identify available resources and establish communication links with appropriate emergency management services and medical assistance personnel as appropriate

3.2. Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources

3.3. Document provision of resources and recommend modifications

3.4. Monitor management of casualties in accordance with First Aid principles and workplace procedures

3.5. Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to worksite evacuation procedures

3.6. Arrange support service for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with workplace principles and procedures.

4. Communicate essential incident details

4.1. Maintain communication with relevant personnel using appropriate media and equipment

4.2. Communicate First Aid information with other providers/carers as appropriate to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3. Provide information calmly to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match casualty level of consciousness.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills 

Correct use/application of First Aid principles and procedures including:

• resuscitation
• the use of semi automated defibrillator
• delivery of oxygen
• adequate infection control procedures
• safe manual handling
• consideration of the welfare of the casualty
• initial casualty assessment
• incident management
• infection control
• bleeding control
• airway management
• care of unconscious.

Use of various First Aid resources and equipment.

Communication skills, including:

• use of various communication systems, eg two way radios, mobile and satellite phones, etc
• report preparation
• the ability to interpret and use required forms/documentation.

Leadership and decision making ability

Required knowledge 

Knowledge and understanding of basic life support principles and measures sufficient to recognise emergency situations and then determine appropriate action within the scope of their responsibilities and competencies. These include:

• basic anatomy and physiology
• respiratory/circulatory system
• basic toxicology.

Knowledge of relevant State and Territory regulatory requirements, occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and regulations, and company standard operating procedures (SOPs). These include:

• legal responsibilities and duty of care
• how to gain access to and interpret material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
• debriefing counselling procedures
• dealing with social problems and confidentiality
• capabilities of emergency management services
• transport 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 the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Where applicable, assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible. Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible. Consistency of performance should be maintained over the required range of workplace situations until renewal of competence/license is required by the industry/organisation.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Competence may be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a First Aid team.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment 

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other OHS units.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice / standards 

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context 

First Aid management will need to account for:

• workplace policies and procedures
• industry/site specific regulations, codes etc
• OHS requirements
• State and Territory workplace health and safety requirements
• allergies casualty may have.

Hazards 

Physical hazards may include:

• workplace hazards
• environmental hazards
• proximity of other people
• hazards associated with casualty management process.

Risks 

Risks may include:

• worksite equipment, machinery and substances
• First Aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, defibrillator)
• environmental risks
• bodily fluids
• risk of further injury to the casualty
• risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders.

Injuries and conditions managed 

Casualty condition is managed for:

• abdominal injuries
• allergic reactions
• bleeding
• burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical
• cardiac conditions
• chemical contamination
• cold injuries
• crush injuries
• dislocations
• drowning
• envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites
• environmental conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke
• epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions
• eye injuries
• fractures
• head injuries
• insect/marine bites
• minor skin injuries
• neck and spinal injuries
• needle stick injuries
• poisoning and toxic substances
• respiratory management of asthma and/or choking
• shock
• smoke inhalation
• soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations
• substance abuse, illicit drugs
• unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse.

First Aid responses 

First Aid management may include:

• administration of analgesic gases
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• infection control
• semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)
• expired air resuscitation (EAR).

First Aid principles 

Established First Aid principles include:

• checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger
• checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation

Variables 

First Aid management will need to account for:

• location and nature of the workplace
• the environmental conditions, eg electricity, biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents
• location of emergency service personnel
• the use and availability of First Aid equipment and resources
• infection control.

Medication 

Medication may include:

• oxygen
• pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with State and Territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)
• asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from First Aid kit in accordance with State and Territory legislation
• severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime
• heart attack - aspirin.

Resources and equipment 

Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:

• blood pressure cuff
• oxygen resuscitation/cylinders
• defibrillation units
• pressure bandages
• thermometers
• injections
• backboards
• stretchers
• soft bag resuscitator
• First Aid kits
• eyewash
• thermal blankets
• pocket face masks
• rubber gloves
• dressing
• spacer device
• cervical collars.

Communication systems 

Communication systems may include but are not limited to:

• mobile phones
• satellite phones
• HF/VHF radio
• flags
• flares
• two-way radio
• email
• electronic equipment.

Documentation 

Documentation may cover:

• time
• fluid intake/output
• blood
• vomit
• faeces
• urine
• administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose
• vital signs.

Health , safety and environment  (HSE )

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Unit sector 

HSE

Competency field 

Co-requisite Units