Even within a single facility, there can be divergent criteria for permanent staff compared to travel or agency staff. Certification expectations further compound this diversity, ranging from a mere certificate to evidence of demonstrated triage experience, often supported by references or position statements.
It is crucial to select a triage course that aligns with the Emergency Triage Education Kit (ETEK), a teaching resource crafted by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. This resource is instrumental in ensuring the consistent application of the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) across various health services. The ATS utilises a scoring system of 1 to 5, assigned based on a concise yet comprehensive assessment, to determine the clinical urgency of patients presenting at emergency departments.
All ETEK program resources are accessible online for free, offering a comprehensive guideline, a quick reference guide, and a workbook (subject to periodic reviews, with potential new editions). While these resources serve as valuable tools for knowledge acquisition and refreshment, it’s important to note that the website doesn’t issue completion records or certificates. Instead, the primary purpose of these free resources is to provide educators with a reliable source for ensuring consistency in teaching delivery.
CRANAplus, recognising the diverse needs of healthcare professionals, provides triage learning through both online and face-to-face formats.
Our one-day ‘Triage Emergency Care’ course, rooted in the ETEK, caters specifically to nurses, general practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. This course emphasises the application of ETEK principles in rural, remote, and isolated settings, empowering practitioners to confidently assess patients and apply the ATS for appropriate triage categorisation.
Additionally, CRANAplus offers the online ‘Triage Emergency Care – Intensive’ course, which combines self-paced modules with online workshops to allow participants to engage in practice scenarios with a focus on rural and remote healthcare principles.
Considering the importance of practical experience, CRANAplus strongly recommends supervised triages for clinicians who have completed certification but lack practical experience. This entails the real-world application of triage skills under the guidance of experienced triage nurses.
Furthermore, because triage is a frequently audited area, ensuring you have the appropriate knowledge and practical application is essential to ensure safe practice and positive patient outcomes.
You can find out more about CRANAplus’ triage courses here:
