Work with your competence means what?

• A. Seek permission for each task you perform
• B. Only perform tasks you are trained and qualified to do
• C. Complete tasks beyond your training to help patients
• D. Always perform any task the clinician asks you to do

Answer: (B)

Working with your competence means sticking to tasks you have been trained and assessed to perform, and staying within your authorised scope of practice. This ensures patient safety and high care standards, because you’re applying skills and knowledge you’ve proven you can do correctly. If something falls outside what you’ve trained for, you should seek additional training or supervision before attempting it. It’s not about asking for permission for every small task, but about avoiding procedures you’re not prepared to carry out and following your practice’s policies and legal requirements. Tasks beyond your training or duties you’re not qualified to do can put patients at risk, so they should be avoided until proper training is in place. That’s why the best description of working with your competence is performing only what you’re trained and qualified to do.