Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement specialised procedures necessary to overcome major obstacles to safe access and egress at the scene of an incident

Application 

Application of skills described in this competency unit refers to situations that stretch the resources and ingenuity of personnel involved to a limit beyond the requirements of routine procedures and may require the use of specialised equipment

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess emergency situation  in relation to safe access and egress

1.1 Obtain information relevant to the situation on or before arrival

1.2 View situation to identify and mitigate dangers according to standard local ambulance procedure

1.3 Assess condition of client(s)

1.4 Accurately identify obstacles impacting on safe access and egress

1.5 Formulate access and egress plan based on an assessment of all factors associated with the situation or incident in line with State/Territory emergency management arrangements

1.6 Formulate and prioritise access and egress plan based on the main concerns of client welfare and safety of all personnel

1.7 Assess equipment and personnel needs based on an assessment of all factors associated with the situation or incident and with client and personnel welfare as the prime concern

1.8 Determine the need for specialised knowledge, personnel and/or equipment in line with needs of the situation/incident and client care and welfare

2. Represent the organisation in the community

2.1 Represent the organisation's position on particular issues in a way that acknowledges community concerns and promotes community awareness

2.2 Ensure communication and presentation to the public enhances the organisation's public image

3. Implement procedure to enable safe access and egress

3.1 Request or arrange for additional or specialised personnel and equipment according to the assessed need

3.2 Implement access/egress plan using equipment and personnel necessary to ensure safe access/egress and client welfare

3.3 Negotiate and maintain means of safe access and egress according to state and territory OHS Acts, as well as organisation policies and procedures

3.4 Ensure actions are in accordance with local ambulance standard operation procedures

3.5 Utilise available resources in an appropriate manner to achieve safe access/egress and client welfare

4. Monitor access and egress procedure in an emergency situation

4.1 Ensure safety of client and personnel is of prime concern

4.2 Monitor progress of access/egress constantly to ensure welfare of the client and safety of personnel

4.3 Monitor client constantly to detect any change in condition

4.4 Constantly monitor all conditions and factors that might impact on the effectiveness and safety of the procedure and client welfare

4.5 Modify access/egress plan as necessary to ensure safety and the welfare of the client

4.6 Identify and arrange for additional resources as necessary to complete procedure

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Essential knowledge :

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

• Relevant policies and procedures relating to access and egress, including:

• organisation policies and procedures
• state/territory and local policies and procedures
• OHS policies and procedures

• Dangers associated with various hazardous situations
• Combating agency for hazard control
• Client care under circumstances requiring complex access and egress procedures
• Relevant equipment and its uses, including specialist equipment
• Factors which may affect safe access/egress and client welfare

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Develop and implement access/egress plans under a variety of emergency conditions, including conditions requiring specialist equipment and/or procedures
• Demonstrate:

• proper use of various types of access/egress equipment including specialist equipment, in a variety of situations
• recognition that client, personnel and bystander welfare is paramount in access and egress procedures
• recognition and observance of OHS requirements
• ingenuity in overcoming difficult access/egress situations

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

• Use problem solving skills including:

• using available resources innovatively
• analysing information quickly
• making decisions that ensure client welfare and their safe access/egress in an emergency situation

• Use oral communication skills (language competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisation, including:

• asking questions
• active listening
• asking for clarification from client and/or other persons at the scene
• negotiating solutions
• effectively communicating instructions to a wide range of people
• acknowledging and responding to a range of views

• Use written communication skills (literacy competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by organisation, including:

• reading and understanding incident reports and case management materials
• preparing handover reports for staff from associated services and/or receiving agencies

• Use interpersonal skills, including:

• working with others
• relating to persons from differing cultural, social and religious backgrounds

• Apply effective stress management techniques/skills

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
• Evidence must include observation of performance in the workplace or in a simulated work situation
• Where, for reasons of safety, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
• Evidence must include demonstration over a period of time to ensure consistency of performance

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

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.

Obstacles affecting access and egress may include , but are not limited to :

• Physical obstacles, such as:

• wreckage
• stairs
• debris
• live power
• water
• difficult house layout
• confined space

• Atmospheric obstacles, such as:

• weather aircraft/helicopter evacuation
• gaseous or toxic environment

• Geographical obstacles, such as:

• cliffs
• gullies
• mountains

• Human obstacles, such as:

• crowds
• violent behaviour
• riots

Emergency situation may include but is not limited to :

• Motor vehicle or other accidents
• Fire
• Flood
• Other emergencies
• Emergency procedures may include those recognised by organisation policies i.e. Safety First Principles, Codes of Practice

Procedures necessary to overcome obstacles may include , but are not limited to :

• Removal of wreckage, debris
• Use of ropes, pulleys, abseiling
• Bush survival techniques

Equipment to enable safe access and egress may include but is not limited to :

• Spinal and other immobilisation devices
• Stretcher
• Carry sheet
• Lifting equipment
• Rescue equipment
• Ropes, cutting, climbing equipment

Modes of transport may include , but are not limited to :

• Road ambulances
• Clinic cars
• Buses