Workplace Competency Assessments (WCA)

The Workplace Competency Assessments (WCA) have been developed to provide opportunities for trainees to be observed, receive specific feedback and assessment based on direct observation of key skills required of an intensive care specialist. There are 8 WCA’s.

These are:

Assessment of brain death
Use of invasive ventilation
Pleural drain insertion and management
CVC insertion and management
Tracheostomy insertion and management*
Providing anaesthesia for percutaneous tracheostomy*
Conducting a family meeting in circumstances of low complexity (communication - standard)
Conducting a family meeting in circumstances of high complexity (communication - advanced)

*Trainees completing the training program in paediatric intensive care medicine are not required to complete the tracheostomy or anaesthesia for percutaneous tracheostomy WCA’s.

How the Process Works

Trainees are observed completing these activities, with assessor discussion as required, and subsequently engage in a feedback conversation about their performance.

Any Fellow of the College can complete a WCA in collaboration with a trainee.

WCA Requirements During Training

Prior to entering the transition year

Trainees are required to submit a minimum one of each of the following WCA’s, rated as oversight or independent on the assessor’s entrustment scale;

Brain death, ventilation
Pleural drain
CVC
Communication-standard

Prior to completing the transition year

Trainees must complete and submit a minimum of one of each of the following:

Tracheostomy insertion and management – rated at any level*
Providing anaesthesia for percutaneous tracheostomy - rated at any level*
Communication- advanced WCA - rated as oversight or independent

Trainees are encouraged to complete WCA’s on multiple occasions to assist with performance improvement.

*Special Considerations

Tracheostomy WCAs

Due to varying procedural opportunities across many ICU, WCAs assessing Tracheostomy insertion, management and anaesthesia can be completed at any rating level including direct supervision, proactive supervision, responsive supervision.

Trainees may complete both the ‘Tracheostomy Insertion and Management’ and ‘Providing Anaesthesia for Percutaneous Tracheostomy’ WCA in a simulation environment or during real patient care.

Please note that these changes take effect from 24 November 2025, and only WCAs completed on or after this date will be eligible for submission under the new requirements.

Paediatric exemptions

Trainees completing the training program in paediatric intensive care medicine are not required to complete the tracheostomy or anaesthesia for percutaneous tracheostomy WCA’s.

The information sheet below contains further details and how to fill the form in.
WCA Information Sheet for Trainees and Fellows (PDF)

WCA Forms

Please submit all completed assessment forms by clicking the button below and selecting "Workplace Competency Assessments (WCA)."