Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm collection requirements, prepare individual and equipment and collect specimens via urine and/or oral and breath testing following the special procedures that apply for drugs of abuse testing.
This unit applies to individuals working in collection centres, in hospitals, in other health care environments and workplaces where drugs of abuse testing take place.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with current Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Licensing/regulatory information
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Pre-requisite unit
No pre-requisite units.
Competency field
N/A
Unit sector
Pathology
Elements and performance criteria
| Element | Performance criteria |
|---|---|
| Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
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1. Confirm collection requirements
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1.1 Greet individual courteously and identify self 1.2 Identify individual according to organisational procedures 1.3 Confirm that individual meets pre-testing criteria for required specimen collection 1.4 Obtain, interpret and record personal and clinical information according to organisational procedures 1.5 Explain collection procedure to individual 1.6 Obtain informed consent for collection procedure from individual |
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2. Prepare for collection procedure
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2.1 Ensure collection environment is prepared according to standards 2.2 Confirm method of collection based on correct interpretation of clinical request 2.3 Select equipment and ask individual to select collection kit according to standard and organisational procedures 2.4 Prepare individual for procedure by removing excess clothing and other possessions, and store these securely 2.5 Provide accurate advice to individual about procedure |
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3. Collect specimen
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3.1 Collect specimen according to standard and organisational procedures 3.2 Adopt infection control procedures according to organisational procedures 3.3 Observe individual during and after collection for potential tampering and respond according to organisational procedures 3.4 Assure specimen integrity by testing and securing specimen immediately following collection and for duration of time that specimen is responsibility of the collector |
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4. Follow post collection procedures
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4.1 Label specimens according to standard and organisational procedures 4.2 Dispose of waste according to waste management and organisational procedures 4.3 Confirm information accuracy and specimen security with individual 4.4 Complete other collection documentation according to standard and organisational procedures 4.5 Prepare and secure collected specimens for transit or storage according to standard and organisational procedures, ensuring chain of custody is maintained |
Foundation skills
The foundation skills essential to performance of this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.
| Skills | Description |
| Oral communications skills to: |
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| Writing skills to: |
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| Reading skills to: |
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| Numeracy skills to: |
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| Observation skills to: |
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Range of conditions
N/A
Assessment requirements
Performance evidence
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
- followed relevant standard and organisational procedures to collect the following 3 different types of specimens for drugs of abuse testing from at least 2 different individuals, including:
- urine
- oral fluid
- breath
- selected, prepared and used compliant equipment and collection kits
Knowledge evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
- context for drugs of abuse testing including industry, social services, prisons, medical and legal purposes
- legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory), including the requirements of Specimen Collection Standards for saliva and urine and any revisions thereof, and how these are applied in organisations:
- duty of care
- informed consent
- mandatory reporting
- privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
- records management
- work role boundaries
- work health and safety
- waste management
- pre-collection, during and post-collection procedures required to meet chain of custody requirements, including:
- suitable environment to collect specimen
- Individual’s privacy
- staff safety
- specific environmental and specimen requirements to eliminate tampering
- collection procedures required to meet chain of custody requirements, including:
- supervision and seclusion of individual
- collection procedures that eliminate the opportunity to tamper with specimen
- documentation requirements
- integrity testing of specimen as required by standard
- storage and transportation procedures required to meet chain of custody requirements, including:
- chain of custody process
- security satchels and labels
- storage
- courier requirements
- drugs of abuse, including:
- types of drugs included
- chemistry
- effect on body
- types of collection
- methods of analysis
Assessment conditions
All aspects of the performance evidence must be demonstrated using simulation prior to demonstration in a clinical workplace setting or an environment that reflects a real workplace.
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
- use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, required by the relevant standard.
- modelling of industry operating conditions including:
- interaction with non-compliant individuals
- presence of situations requiring problem solving
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors and must hold this unit or demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge to that contained within this unit.
Mandatory workplace requirements
Where a clinical workplace is used, all activities must be supervised by a person currently working in a collection role for at least 18 hours per fortnight for at least 12 months, to ensure patient safety.