26017 version 1
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Maintain the fitness for purpose of, and drive an ambulance vehicle in
patient transfer situations
Level
4
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
– maintain the fitness for purpose of an ambulance vehicle;
– respond to call out and drive the ambulance vehicle in a patient transfer
situation;
– position the ambulance vehicle on arrival at the location;
– maintain patient safety and comfort during transportation; and
– complete operational documentation.
Subfield
Emergency Services
Domain
Ambulance
Status
Registered
Status date
20 November 2009
Date version published
20 November 2009
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Driver's licence appropriate to vehicle must have been
obtained.
Replacement information
This unit standard and unit standard 26018 replaced unit
standard 14478.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0003
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
This unit standard has been designed for learning and assessment on-job.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
26017 version 1
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2
Definitions
Ambulance equipment – for the purposes of this standard refers to equipment in
accordance with the candidate's delegated scope of practice and NZS 8156.
Operational readiness – means that the ambulance is fully prepared to respond to a
call in terms of: the cleanliness of the vehicle; and the availability and functionality of
the vehicle and equipment.
Minimum disruption – recognises that some disruption to other road users is
unavoidable in some instances, but the driver should ensure this disruption is the
least possible given the circumstances at the time.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – the written procedures particular to each
ambulance service.
3
References
Land Transport Act 1998;
Traffic Regulations 1976;
NZS 8156:2008, New Zealand Standard (Ambulance and paramedical Services);
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Maintain the fitness for purpose of an ambulance vehicle.
Performance criteria
1.1
Ambulance vehicle’s exterior and interior appearance is maintained to ensure
operational readiness in accordance with SOPs.
Range
1.2
The working order of the ambulance vehicle is checked and maintained to
ensure operational readiness in accordance with SOPs.
Range
1.3
may include but is not limited to – free from dirt; maximum visibility
is possible through windows; maximum effects from lights are
possible; damage to paint, windows, or lights is reported.
all faults are reported to the personnel appropriate for the required
action; decision to stand down an unsafe vehicle is made when
necessary; documentation is completed and forwarded to the
personnel appropriate for the required action.
Ambulance vehicle equipment is maintained to ensure operational readiness in
accordance with SOPs.
Range
equipment is clean, ready for use, and correctly stowed;
equipment is calibrated to manufacturer's recommendations; all
faults are reported to the personnel appropriate for the required
action; documentation is completed and forwarded to the
appropriate personnel.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
26017 version 1
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Element 2
Respond to call out and drive the ambulance vehicle in a patient transfer situation.
Performance criteria
2.1
Location of the call out is established before the ambulance vehicle is driven off.
2.2
Route is established in terms of preferred, guided, directed, or driver-selected.
Range
may include but is not limited to – local knowledge, street and
topographical maps, communications centre instructions, global
positioning system.
2.3
Restraint devices are used in accordance with traffic regulations.
2.4
The safety of road users is not compromised, and traffic disruption is minimised.
2.5
The classification of ambulance services is described in accordance with NZS
8156 and in relation to services provided by the candidate’s organisation.
2.6
Duty hours and exemptions related to ambulance services are described in
accordance with traffic regulations.
2.7
Ambulance vehicle is driven in accordance with SOPs and traffic regulations.
2.8
Driving techniques allow the ambulance vehicle to arrive at the location
punctually with regard for road safety.
Range
road safety includes but is not limited to – local weather, time of
day, road and traffic conditions.
Element 3
Position the ambulance vehicle on arrival at the location.
Performance criteria
3.1
Ambulance vehicle is positioned to protect patients, personnel, the vehicle, and
public property in accordance with SOPs and traffic regulations.
3.2
Ambulance vehicle is positioned to give ease of access to the patient and ease
of egress from the location in accordance with SOPs.
3.3
Ambulance vehicle is positioned to cause minimum disruption to the general
public in accordance with SOPs.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
26017 version 1
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Element 4
Maintain patient safety and comfort during transportation.
Performance criteria
4.1
Patient is positioned within the ambulance vehicle in a manner that is
appropriate to their condition and maximises their safety and comfort during
transport.
4.2
Ambulance vehicle is driven in a manner that maximises passenger and/or
patient comfort and safety, and in accordance with traffic regulations.
Range
4.3
cornering, braking, acceleration, awareness of road surface,
weather conditions, topography.
The effects on the patient of cornering, braking, accelerating, different road
surfaces, and conditions are managed in accordance with SOPs.
Element 5
Complete operational documentation.
Performance criteria
5.1
Operational documentation is completed in accordance with NZS 8156.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
reviewcomments@etito.co.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016