Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide first aid to a casualty in a remote and/or isolated situation

Application 

This unit is appropriate for those undertaking first aid work in remote or isolated workplace situations

Application of these skills and knowledge should be contextualised as required to address specific industry, enterprise or workplace requirements and to address specific risks and hazards and associated injuries

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. Prepare to respond to emergency in a remote situation

1.1 Prepare for isolated travel  or work, accounting for expected contingencies

1.2 Assess casualty's condition and determine appropriate response in order to minimise hazards and determine need for medical assistance

1.3 Evaluate options for transporting casualty or waiting for medical assistance in relation to environmental issues, transport availability and casualty's condition

2. Provide first aid in a remote situation

2.1 Determine and explain the nature of casualty's injury/condition and relevant first aid procedures to provide comfort

2.2 Seek consent from casualty prior to applying first aid management

2.3 Provide first aid response to address casualty's condition and in accordance with effective first aid principles

2.4 Respond to the casualty in a culturally aware, sensitive and respectful manner

2.5 Monitor casualty's condition and undertake ongoing first aid procedures as required

2.6 Calmly provide information to reassure casualty during the wait for medical assistance, adopting a communication style to match the casualty's level of consciousness

2.7 Provide shelter from elements in accordance with environmental conditions

2.8 Document condition of casualty over time to assist in on-going management

3. Work in conjunction with medical and emergency services support

3.1 Establish communication links to medical services, using relevant communication equipment to ensure prompt control action is undertaken

3.2 Request ambulance support or appropriate medical assistance according to relevant circumstances

3.3 Administer medication under direct instruction from an authorised health worker  as required

3.4 Assist in the evacuation of the casualty by following directions given by emergency services as required

4. Evaluate the incident

4.1 Evaluate management of the incident and where required develop an action plan in consultation with relevant parties

4.2 Participate in debriefing/evaluation in order to improve future operations and address individual's needs

4.3 Formulate and review contingency planning to identify and select improved or alternative management principles and procedures as required

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:

• Awareness of stress management techniques and available support
• Infection control principles and procedures, including use of standard precautions
• Principles for evaluating management options relating to transporting casualty and/or waiting for assistance
• Principles of identifying and preparing area for safe evacuation (including aero-medical evacuation)
• Principles of preparing for providing first aid in an area remote from ready assistance, including identifying and preparing supplies to address contingencies specific to different types of situation
• Understanding of OHS principles
• Working knowledge of communication systems, equipment and methods as available in the remote situation

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

• Accurately listen to, clarify and apply medical instructions
• Administer medication under direct instruction from an authorised health worker and in accordance with State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies
• Communicate effectively and assertively and show leadership in an incident
• Conduct an initial casualty assessment in a remote situation
• Demonstrate:

• adequate infection control procedures, including standard precautions
• identification and preparation of area for safe evacuation (including aero-medical evacuation)
• safe manual handling

• Evaluate available options for transporting or maintaining condition of casualty
• Improvise treatment and associated resources
• Interpret and use listed documents
• Make prompt and appropriate decisions relating to managing an incident in a remote situation
• Plan an appropriate first aid response in line with established first aid principles, policies and procedures, ARC Guidelines and/or state/territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements and respond appropriately to contingencies in line with own level of skills and knowledge
• Prepare a written incident report or provide information to enable preparation of an incident report
• Transport casualty safely using available methods
• Undertake contingency planning in relation to providing a first aid response in a remote situation
• Use available communication methods and equipment to access medical assistance
• Use available resources effectively to manage pain
• Use literacy and numeracy skills as required to read, interpret and apply guidelines and protocols

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 of assessment :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• Competence should be demonstrated working individually and, where appropriate, as part of a first aid team
• Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace or community setting
• Currency of first aid knowledge and skills is to be demonstrated in line with State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies, Australian Resuscitation Council and industry guidelines
• Assessment should utilise aspects of actual or simulated remote situation relevant to work or community context

Method of assessment may include :

• Skills in performing first aid procedures are to be assessed through demonstration, with questioning to confirm essential knowledge
• Skills may be assessed through simulations, using anatomical models, manikins or in a high fidelity simulation centre

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 unit :

This unit should be assessed either after or in conjunction with achievement of the following related competency unit:

• HLTFA301C Apply first aid

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.

Contextualisation to address specific requirements may include :

• Focus on first aid management of specific types of injury
• First aid provision under specific constraints or circumstances (e.g. in confined spaces, in maritime work environment or in work environment involving identified risks/hazards)

Preparation for isolated /remote travel may include :

• Selection of relevant communication equipment
• Accessing relevant first aid supplies and resources to cater for environmental conditions
• Considering access/egress opportunities
• Notifying relevant authorities of travel plans

In remote /isolated situations consideration to travel or wait would depend upon :

• Severity of injury
• Time required for medical assistance to arrive
• Whether movement might hinder rescue
• Advice given by authorised health worker
• Whether contact with medical and/or emergency services has been achieved

Documentation , especially in remote /isolated situations may include recording :

• Time
• Location
• Description of injury
• First aid management
• Fluid/oral intake/output, including fluid loss via:

• blood
• vomit
• faeces
• urine

• Administration of medication including time, date, person administering, dose
• Vital signs

Authorised health worker may include :

• Paramedic/ambulance officer
• General practitioner
• Nurse practitioner