Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 

Manage vessel medical care 

1.1

Availability of adequate resources  is monitored and maintained to support medical responses

1.2

Regular inspections of stock and equipment are conducted to ensure currency and operational readiness, according to organisational requirements

1.3

Equipment and resources are stored and maintained according to regulatory requirements and manufacturer/supplier instructions

1.4

Risks on the vessel are reviewed and organisational policies and procedures related to the provision of medical care are validated

1.5

Planning is conducted for responses to major incidents on board the vessel

2 

Take charge of a casualty on board 

2.1

Safety of injured or ill person , bystanders and self in an accident situation is assessed according to first aid procedures

2.2

Safety requirements associated with providing medical care and vessel environmental requirements are adhered to

2.3

Condition of injured or ill person is assessed according to first aid procedures

2.4

Position of the injured or ill person is adjusted to optimise personal comfort for the medical condition or injury

2.5

Injured or ill person is reassured and supported during the wait for medical assistance

2.6

Nature of the illness/injury is explained to the injured or ill person

2.7

Significance of changes in the person’s condition is promptly recognised and appropriate action is taken if there are signs of deterioration in the injured or ill person

2.8

Calm, confident and reassuring personal attitude is conveyed

3 

Provide medical care 

3.1

Medical emergencies and injuries  are identified and assessed correctly, and appropriate action is taken to prevent further injury

3.2

Symptoms and appropriate treatment are identified based on the concepts of clinical examination and medical history

3.3

Medical emergencies and injuries are diagnosed and managed according to accepted medical practice, and relevant national and international guides

3.4

Manufacturer recommendations and accepted medical practice with regard to dosage and application of drugs and medication  are complied with

3.5

Complete and effective methods to protect against infection and spread of diseases are used

3.6

Resuscitation techniques are performed following safety procedures, if required

3.7

Appropriate techniques for moving injured and ill persons are used

3.8

Resources and equipment are recovered and reprocessed, and waste is disposed of safely

4 

Seek external assistance 

4.1

Condition of the injured or ill person is documented over time to assist with ongoing management

4.2

Communication links  are established with external medical services to ensure prompt control action is taken

4.3

Clinical examination procedures are completed and instructions received are complied with

4.4

Assessments of the person’s condition are relayed to external medical advisors

4.5

Medical procedures are carried out under medical instruction using relevant communication equipment and instructions received complied with

4.6

Condition of the injured or ill person is evaluated to determine transport requirements for additional medical care

4.7

Preparation for the evacuation  of the injured or ill person by emergency services is provided, if required, according to organisational procedures and welfare of the person is maximised

4.8

Resources and equipment are recovered and reprocessed, and waste is disposed of safely

5 

Manage first aid records 

5.1

Documentation  is completed in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements

5.2

First aid records are maintained in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements

5.3

Relevant documents are sent to appropriate bodies in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements

5.4

Confidentiality of records and information is maintained in accordance with privacy principles and regulatory and organisational requirements

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required Skills: 

• Care of casualty involving:

• head and spinal injuries
• injuries of ear, nose, throat and eyes
• external and internal bleeding
• burns, scalds and frostbite
• fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries
• wounds, wound healing and infection

• Deal with a death at sea

• Dress and bandage

• Give vaccinations

• Manage acute abdominal conditions

• Provide:

• dental care
• gynaecological, pregnancy and childbirth support
• medical care of rescued persons
• minor surgical treatment
• pain relief

• Treat:

• alcohol and drug abuse
• sexually transmitted diseases
• tropical and infectious diseases

• Use disease prevention techniques including disinfection, de-infestation, de-ratting

• Use sewing and clamping techniques

Required Knowledge: 

• Alcohol and drug abuse

• Care of:

• head and spinal injuries
• injuries of ear, nose, throat and eyes
• external and internal bleeding
• burns, scalds and frostbite
• fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries
• wounds, wound healing and infection

• Death at sea

• Dental care

• Disease prevention including disinfection, de-infestation, de-ratting

• Dressing and bandaging

• General principles of nursing

• Gynaecology, pregnancy and childbirth

• Hygiene

• International and national maritime medical regulations

• Management of acute abdominal conditions

• Medical care of rescued persons

• Medical care of sick seafarers involving co-operation with port health authorities or out-patient wards in port

• Medical conditions and emergencies

• Minor surgical treatment

• Nursing care

• Pain relief

• Radio medical advice

• Quarantine regulations and required advices such as pratique, notification of disease on board

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Techniques of sewing and clamping

• Transportation of injured or ill persons including helicopter evacuation

• Tropical and infectious diseases

• Vaccinations

• Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

• seeking radio medical advice according to established practice and recommendations
• being aware of own skills, knowledge and limits.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• industry-approved marine operations site where managing the provision of medical care on board a vessel can be conducted
• tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
• range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
• appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment 

Practical assessment must occur in an:

• appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
• appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate managing the provision of medical care on board a vessel
• direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.

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.

Resources may include:

• Backboards
• Blood pressure cuff
• Cervical collars
• Defibrillation units
• Dressings
• Eyewash
• First aid kits
• Injections
• Oxygen resuscitation cylinders
• Pocket face masks
• Pressure bandages
• Rubber gloves
• Soft bag resuscitator
• Spacer device
• Stretchers
• Thermometers
• Thermal blankets

Safety of injured or ill person may include:

• Bodily fluids
• Environmental risks
• Equipment, machinery and substances
• First aid equipment
• Risk of further injury to the casualty
• Risks associated with the proximity of crew or passengers

Medical emergencies and injuries may include:

• Care of casualty involving:

• head and spinal injuries
• injuries of ear, nose, throat and eyes
• external and internal bleeding
• burns, scalds and frostbite
• fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries
• wounds, wound healing and infection

• Dealing with a death at sea
• Dressing and bandaging
• Giving vaccinations
• Managing acute abdominal conditions
• Providing:

• dental care
• gynaecological, pregnancy and childbirth support
• medical care of rescued persons
• minor surgical treatment
• pain relief

• Treating:

• sexually transmitted diseases
• tropical and infectious diseases
• alcohol and drug abuse

• Using disease prevention techniques including disinfection, de-infestation, de-ratting
• Using techniques of sewing and clamping

Medication may include:

• Adrenaline
• Analgesics
• Aspirin
• Bronchodilators
• Oxygen
• Pain relief/paracetamol

Communication links may include:

• Electronic equipment
• Email
• Flags
• HF/VHF radio
• Satellite phones
• Two-way radio
• Use of medical codes

Preparation for the evacuation may include:

• Communicating with helicopter, vessel or ambulance conducting the evacuation
• Relevant first aid supplies and resources
• Selecting relevant communication equipment

Documentation may include:

• Casualty history forms
• Day book
• Disease notification to quarantine officials
• D-Rat Certificate
• First aid risk assessment
• Incident/injury reports
• Infection control records
• Management records
• Medical histories
• Medication registers
• Stock records
• Workcover forms
• Workers’ compensation