Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required of anaesthetic technicians to assist in the monitoring of a limited range of drugs (in accordance with national and state/territory legislation and organisation policies) which have been prescribed by the anaesthetist

Application 

Work is performed under the direction of the anaesthetist and requires broad knowledge, a range of well-developed skills and the ability to develop and apply solutions to a range of predictable and unpredictable problems. Individuals use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs

The competency unit includes assisting the anaesthetist in the management of the client's airway, including the removal of artificial airways, and assisting in the preparation and administration of a limited range of drugs (in accordance with national and state/territory legislation and organisation policies) which have been prescribed by the anaesthetist

It also includes providing assistance to the anaesthetist in monitoring and responding to changes or lack of changes in the client's condition during emergence phase of anaesthesia

Administration of anaesthesia may occur in various locations within the hospital environment e.g. operating theatres, emergency department, intensive care unit (ICU), radiology department

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists policy documents, organisation policies, procedures and infection control guidelines

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. Identify situations that pose a potential risk to the safe monitoring of a limited range of drugs

1.1 Identify issues related to drug and poison monitoring with appropriate personnel

1.2 Identify common contra-indications and adverse reactions of prescribed medications

1.3 Confirm client identity and if any allergies exist

1.4 Identify drugs and poisons schedules and classifications as determined by law

2. Access drugs under directions from the anaesthetist

2.1 Identify all administration routes and associated terminology

2.2 Identify the purpose and function of prescribed medications for administration

2.3 Identify common contra-indications and adverse reactions of prescribed medications

2.4 Accurately calculate dosages of drugs and poisons

2.5 Access  drugs in a manner in accordance with anaesthetist and /or medical officer instructions and/or legal requirements

2.6 Prepare intravenous drugs

3. Work within parameters of role in monitoring drugs

3.1 Identify the legal parameters for the monitoring of drugs

3.2 Store drugs in a safe manner according to law and health care environmental policy

3.3 Identify the quality management and risk assessment of monitoring of drugs

4. Observe client responses to administered medication

4.1 Identify adverse responses, report to anaesthetist and assist in emergency responses

4.2 Recognise acute and delayed adverse reactions to drugs and act upon within role responsibility

4.3 Implement emergency skills for identified acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility

4.4 Record and report response to emergency strategies

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 medical/medication terminology
• Approved drug abbreviations
• Relevant pathophysiology
• Factors influencing drug actions
• Major drug groups
• Documentation associated with accessing drugs and methods of administration
• Systems of drug delivery and drug routes
• Legal requirements of role
• Relevant workplace health and safety policies to ensure safe practice e.g. management of sharps
• Methods of storage, handling and usage of drugs
• Understanding the legal requirements of method administration
• An understanding of the role of the health care team in the administration of drugs
• Substance incompatibilities may include:

• anaphylactic reactions
• adverse reactions
• contraindications
• precautions
• side effects

• An understanding of the pharmacology of medications including:

• pharmacodynamics
• pharmacokinetics
• pharmacotherapeutics
• toxicology

• Understanding of role in medical emergency
• State/Territory Drugs and Poisons Acts and Regulations

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Use language, literacy and numeracy competence relevant to the accessing of drugs
• Apply formulae for drug calculations, including variations in dosages for adults and children
• Apply scheduling of drugs, including:

• Schedule 2
• Schedule 3
• Schedule 4
• Schedule 8

• Perform emergency management for a client experiencing an adverse drug reaction
• Observe and monitor peripheral intravenous therapy

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 interpersonal skills include working with others, using sensitivity when dealing with people and an ability to relate to persons from differing cultural, social and religious backgrounds
• Demonstrate professional conduct, skills and knowledge
• Use oral communication skills (language competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisation/service. Oral communication skills include interviewing techniques, asking questions, active listening, asking for clarification

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
• Assessment must include a written calculation test with 100% mastery
• It is desirable that assessment be undertaken in a simulated clinical laboratory prior to clinical placement

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

Resources for assessment 

• Manufacturer's instructions
• Organisation policies and procedures
• MIMS

Method of assessment 

• Observation in the work place
• Evidence gathered from clinical work environment
• 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
• Questioning - verbal and written
• Role play/simulation
• 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 supervision

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.

Potential risks may include but is not limited to :

• Client identification
• Allergic reactions
• Drug incompatibilities
• Contra-indications for drug administration
• Intravenous therapy

Medication administration routes include :

• Oral
• Ocular
• Aural
• Rectal
• Subcutaneous/intramuscular routes
• Intravenous route
• Transdermal or topical
• Inhalation

Legal and regulatory framework include :

• State/territory Drugs and Poisons Act

• Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulations

• Documentation legal requirements
• Organisation policies and procedures

Limited range of drugs includes :

• Drugs prescribed by the anaesthetist and/or medical officer

Access drugs includes :

• Obtaining required drugs from drugs storage area in line with organisational protocols
• Calculation formulae
• Calculation of oral drug dosages
• Calculations of dosages of liquid medications
• Calculations of dosages of solid medications
• Paediatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area, age related dose reduction)
• Geriatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area and age)

Prepare intravenous drugs includes :

• Calculation of dosages of injectable drugs (liquid, solid, unit dosages)
• Flow rate drops per minute
• Flow rate millilitres per hour