HLTOTH007 Apply and remove traction

Release: 1

HLTOTH007 Apply and remove traction

Modification History

No equivalent unit.

Application

This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply and remove traction.

The unit applies to orthopaedic technologists who work in healthcare settings, including operating theatres, emergency departments, wards and out of care client departments.

Work is performed at the request of, and in consultation with, medical staff. Some discretion and judgement are required, and individuals take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and infection control guidelines.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Orthopaedic Technology

Unit Sector

Health

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Prepare to apply and remove traction.	1.1. Receive and interpret traction application and removal instructions in referral documentation and seek clarification if required. 1.2. Identify safety hazards and risks, assess risks and implement risk control strategies to minimise risks to client and self. 1.3. Perform hand hygiene and use personal protective equipment (PPE) according to work health and safety and infection control procedures. 1.4 Source information through delegated subjective and clinical assessments to determine client condition, individual needs, to identify precautions and potential complications. 1.5. Provide relevant and timely feedback including liaising with medical practitioner for conditions requiring immediate review. 1.6. Liaise with healthcare team to discuss subjective and objective findings and confirm instructions. 1.7. Explain traction application and removal procedure to client, provide opportunities to ask questions and discuss areas of concern. 1.8. Obtain client consent to proceed with traction application and removal. 1.9. Observe wound and pin site care and identify issues for referral to medical practitioner.
2. Apply traction techniques.	2.1. Assemble equipment and inspect to confirm it is clean and in working order in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 2.2. Communicate with clients in a caring and respectful manner. 2.3. Monitor client to identify and manage client anxiety. 2.4. Position client for correct anatomical positioning of limb and confirm client comfort and safety. 2.5. Refresh and maintain clean skin. 2.6. Select and use equipment and traction techniques to apply and remove traction according to instructions. 2.7. Check and confirm traction to meet instructions and individual client needs.
3. Undertake post traction application and removal procedures.	3.1. Review client condition and identify precautions and potential complications. 3.2. Provide written and verbal advice for care of traction and limb according to referral from the healthcare team and discuss client concerns. 3.3. Identify and report client self-management concerns to healthcare team and arrange support within limitations of job role. 3.4. Complete clinical records according to documentation procedures.
4. Clean working environment.	4.1. Remove PPE and perform hand hygiene according to work health and safety and infection control procedures. 4.2. Dispose of waste according to waste management procedures. 4.3. Clean, sanitise and store equipment according to manufacturer specifications. 4.4. Clean work surfaces according to infection control procedures.

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.
SKILLS	DESCRIPTION
Oral communication skills to:	ask open and closed questions and actively listen to determine and meet needs of client communicate with people from diverse backgrounds manage conflict.
Numeracy skills to:	read, use and discuss spatial and measurement information in referrals, x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans.
Teamwork skills to:	collaborate and cooperate with multidisciplinary teams and healthcare professionals.
Technology skills to:	access and record clinical records and referrals.

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705