Description

Pre Requisites

Application

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

Performance Criteria

Required Skills & Knowledge

•     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

•     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

Range Statement

•     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)

•     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

•     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

Evidence Guide

•     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

•     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

•     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

•     HLTFA301C Apply first aid