Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version  

Comments 

3

PUA12 V2.1

Editorial changes.

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PUA12 V2

Layout adjusted. Application added.

1

PUA00 V8.1

Primary release.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify need for emergency care 

1.1 Initial assessment is made of extent and nature of emergency care required.

1.2 Initial assessment is communicated to appropriate personnel in accordance with organisation's policies and procedures. 

2. Ensure personal safety of carer and casualty 

2.1 Hygiene is maintained for protection of self and casualty.

2.2 Hazards  to the carer are identified and appropriate action  taken to safeguard against injury.

3. Reassure casualty 

3.1 A calm, caring  and reassuring manner  is adopted in interaction with the casualty and others at the scene.

3.2 Casualty is made comfortable using available resources.

4. Assess casualty and implement emergency care procedures 

4.1 Casualty assessed for DRABC.

4.2 Vital signs are continually monitored, recorded and any changes considered in planning treatment  and reported as appropriate.

4.3 Treatment appropriate to the casualty's injuries is provided in line with approved first aid techniques and standards. 

4.4 First aid equipment  is operated in accordance with manufacturer's procedures and instructions, and organisational standards, policies, procedures and protocols.

4.5 Casualty's condition is monitored and reported in accordance with organisation's policies and procedures and treatment modified as necessary.

4.6 Treatment is maintained until qualified medical help takes over.

5. Work cooperatively with personnel from other organisations 

5.1 Clear and comprehensive reports are provided to personnel involved in ongoing casualty care.

5.2 Members of other emergency services are assisted in their tasks in accordance with organisation's standards and personal level of responsibility and competence.

6. Recover and restore first aid equipment 

6.1 First aid equipment is recovered, cleaned, inspected/tested, stored, restocked and resupplied and medical waste disposed of safely according to organisation's polices and procedures.

6.2 First aid equipment faults are rectified and/or reported in accordance with organisation's policies and procedures.

7. Complete documentation 

7.1 Documentation  is completed and processed in line with legislative, regulatory and organisation's requirements.

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

Required Skills 

• communicating verbally with casualties and others
• completing forms
• following procedures
• providing verbal reports to paramedical personnel
• remaining calm under time pressures and in difficult situations
• working with others in a team situation
• writing reports

Required Knowledge 

• Occupational Health and Safety guidelines for lifting and carrying
• systems of the body:

• respiratory
• skeletal
• digestive
• circulatory
• nervous
• urinary
• skin

• causes and management of unconsciousness
• priorities for life support in emergencies including the DRABC (danger, response, airway, breathing ventilation and circulation assessments) model
• Health Department guidelines for personal hygiene
• Australian Resuscitation Council resuscitation guidelines
• applying resuscitation techniques
• controlling bleeding
• casualty assessment
• principles of initial casualty management
• management of fractures and soft tissue injuries
• management of burns
• personal level of responsibility
• limitations
• competency

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

Competency in this unit must be established through the practical demonstration of first aid skills, maintaining universal precautions and safety awareness.

Accurate documentation and a caring approach to injured persons during first aid activities are critical.

Consistency in performance 

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Exercise or simulation, or a series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team. Written or verbal questions may be used as supporting evidence.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to first aid equipment used in general operations is essential.

Conditions under which this competency  may be required include:

• operating during any rescue or response situation including specialist rescue
• hazardous environmental conditions—adverse weather
• after dark operations
• difficult terrain
• debris
• traffic
• time pressures
• varying time frames—short term
• sudden impacts
• protracted response operations
• limited access to equipment necessitating the use of improvised techniques

Equipment  may include:

• first aid kit
• personal protective equipment
• stretchers including improvised

Details of incident  obtained from:

• casualty
• visual assessment of scene
• others at scene

Maintaining personal safety  may include:

• washing hands
• using gloves

Caring manner  may include:

• personal introduction and identification consistent with other priorities
• showing empathy
• communication with casualty
• voice tone and volume
• reassurance and gentle treatment all in a culturally appropriate manner

Hazards  may include:

• bodily fluids
• traffic
• environmental hazards
• downed wires
• bystanders
• drugs
• sharps

First aid techniques and standards  may include:

• Guidelines to Australian Resuscitation Council resuscitation standards
• State and Territory regulations

Others  may include:

• family
• friends at scene

Appropriate  action may include:

• protecting scene
• isolating scene
• relocating casualty

Reporting as appropriate  may include:

• team leader
• supervisor
• medical personnel
• paramedical personnel
• emergency medical technician

Treatment  includes:

• applying resuscitation techniques
• controlling bleeding
• managing fractures
• managing soft tissue injuries
• dressing burns and scalds

Qualified health care personnel  may include:

• specialist personnel
• medical personnel

Organisation’s standards, policies, procedures and protocols  may include:

• legislation relevant to the provision of emergency care
• legislation relevant to the organisation
• operational Standard Operating Procedures
• operational performance standards

Reporting casualty’s condition  may include:

• need for confidentiality
• status on arrival
• treatment provided
• history
• observations made
• changes in conditions
• timeframes

Documentation  may include:

• written reports
• casualty details
• approved forms
• verbal report
• personal notes

Moving casualty  may include:

• individually or with assistance
• observing decency in regard to culture
• a range of manual handling techniques and lifts and carries

Processing documentation  may include:

• providing reports to authorised personnel
• filing reports
• diary entries
• logs