Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:13 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:13 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Maintain an effective health work environment
Maintain an effective health work environment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTHIR501C
HLTHIR501C
State Code
WD167
WD167
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/08/2014
Field of Education
120505 - Work Practices Programmes
Original Release Date
08/08/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to maintain an effective work environment in a health setting by monitoring, coordinating and promoting the implementation of ethical, safe and effective work practices in line with established work requirements
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Promote ethical work practices
- 1.1 Monitor decision-making to ensure ethical guidelines are followed and underlying ethical complexity is recognised
- 1.2 Ensure understanding and compliance with the principles of duty of care and legal responsibilities in all work undertaken
- 1.3 Ensure appropriate action is taken to address any breach or non-adherence to standard procedures or adverse event
- 1.4 Monitor work practices to ensure confidentiality of any client matter in line with organisation policy and procedure
- 1.5 Promote respect for rights and responsibilities of others through considered application of work practices
- 1.6 Apply and promote knowledge and understanding of employee and employer rights and responsibilities in all work practices
- 1.7 Identify potential conflict of interest in the workplace and take action to avoid and/or address
2. Support culture of effective communication
- 2.1 Monitor and address communication issues in the workplace
- 2.2 Monitor oral and written communication in the workplace to ensure confidentiality of client and staff matters
- 2.3 Monitor workplace communication to support accuracy and understanding of information provided and received
- 2.4 Promote recognition of individual and cultural differences in the workplace and support any adjustments to communication needed to facilitate the achievement of identified outcomes
- 2.5 Promote and support a client-centred approach to health care throughout interpersonal communication with clients and colleagues
- 2.6 Promote and assist with the resolution of conflict and interpersonal differences in the workplace
3. Maintain a positive approach to health in the workplace
- 3.1 Monitor work practices to ensure they contribute to maintaining an effective and client-centred approach to health
- 3.2 Monitor implementation of work practices to ensure clients are included in shared decision-making as partners in health care
- 3.3 Support and maintain a workplace culture of promoting good health by sharing health information
- 3.4 Monitor and maintain workplace focus on preventing ill health and minimising risk
- 3.5 Monitor and maintain workplace focus on processes and procedures to manage stress and prevent fatigue
4. Monitor professional work standards
- 4.1 Monitor implementation of organisation policies and procedures relating to awards, standards and legislative requirements of staff
- 4.2 Identify areas for improving work practices and support implementation in line with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.3 Monitor compliance with relevant accreditation standards applying to work undertaken and address issues
- 4.4 Monitor staff understanding and focus on achieving organisation goals and objectives in work undertaken
- 4.5 Monitor and support staff efforts to respond positively to improved work practices and procedures
- 4.6 Ensure issues requiring mandatory notification are identified and reported appropriately
5. Work in the health industry context
- 5.1 Establish effective relationships with workers from different sectors and levels of the industry in line with work role and requirements
- 5.2 Apply knowledge of the roles and functions of various health care structures, organisations and systems in Australia
- 5.3 Maintain knowledge of current issues influencing the health care system, including health issues for Indigenous Australians
- 5.4 Work with an understanding of funding mechanisms, and how the organisation's operations are financed
6. Take opportunities to develop own competence
- 6.1 Monitor own skills/knowledge in relation to ongoing and changing work requirements
- 6.2 Identify areas for personal development in line with health industry developments, organisation requirements and personal interest
- 6.3 Take initiative to access and/or create development opportunities to support organisation need and personal career development
- 6.4 Undertake available formal and informal skill/knowledge development and maintenance activities
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Requirements of own work role may include:
Level of responsibility
Organisation guidelines
Individual awards and benchmarks
Legislation relevant to work area
Accreditation standards
Organisation policy on confidentiality may relate to:
Storage of records
Destruction of records
Access to records
Release of information
Verbal and written communication
Organisation procedures, policies, awards, standards and legislation may include:
Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
Home and Community Care Standards
National Association of Testing authorities (NATA)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for infection control in health care settings
Federal and state/territory legislation
Quality management policy and practice
Current Australian Standards
Aged care accreditation standards
Accreditation and service provision standards of other relevant industry organisations
Relevant health regulations and guidelines, policies and procedures, including child protection
Communication strategies may include:
Active listening
Appropriate language
Appropriate communication aids
Appropriate modes of communication
Appropriate demeanour and body language
Appropriate tone and presentation
Observation
Questioning, clarifying and advising
Providing appropriate and accurate information
Promoting positive client relationship may include:
Acknowledging and greeting courteously
Identifying client needs and attending to them in a timely manner
Handling complaints sensitively, courteously and in accordance with practice protocols
Demonstrating respect for clients' time
A client-centred approach to health includes:
Putting clients and carers at the centre of service delivery
Including clients in decision-making relating to their health care
Involving clients in discussions about service delivery options and issues
Obtaining client consent to examine, treat or work with them
Effective customer service
Employee rights and responsibilities may relate to:
Duty of care responsibilities
Leave entitlements
Attendance requirements
Obeying lawful orders
Confidentiality and privacy of organisation, client and colleague information
Adherence to WHS
Protection from discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace
The right to union representation
Issues requiring mandatory notification may include:
Protection of children and others identified to be at risk
Issues defined by jurisdictional legislation and/or regulatory requirements
Issues specifically identified by under organisation policies
Improved work practices may relate, for example to:
Enhancing outcomes for clients
Enhancing sustainability of work, such as efficient and effective work practices in relation to:
use of power
use of resources, including for administration purposes
waste management and recycling practices
Enhancing safety of staff and clients
Identifying and implementing improved work practices may include:
Reporting and implementing suggested improvements
Seeking and addressing customer feedback
Monitoring tasks
Responding to surveys and questionnaires
Assessing/observing/measuring environmental factors
Checking equipment
Employer rights and responsibilities may relate to:
Legislative requirements for employee dismissal (i.e Workplace Relations Act)
Legislative requirements to provide a safe work environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment (see state/territory and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation)
Enterprise workplace agreements
Relevant state and territory employment legislation (i.e. wage rates and employment conditions)
Designated knowledge/skill development may relate to:
Hazard control
WHS
Manual handling
First Aid
Cultural awareness
Infection control
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation emergency response and notification protocols
Fire emergency response procedures for notification and containment of fire, use of fire fighting equipment and fire safety procedures
Security procedures
Quality improvement policy and practice
Discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace
Formal and informal resolution of grievances
Waste management
Customer service
Communication, conflict resolution
Others
Requirements of own work role may include:
Level of responsibility
Organisation guidelines
Individual awards and benchmarks
Legislation relevant to work area
Accreditation standards
Organisation policy on confidentiality may relate to:
Storage of records
Destruction of records
Access to records
Release of information
Verbal and written communication
Organisation procedures, policies, awards, standards and legislation may include:
Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
Home and Community Care Standards
National Association of Testing authorities (NATA)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for infection control in health care settings
Federal and state/territory legislation
Quality management policy and practice
Current Australian Standards
Aged care accreditation standards
Accreditation and service provision standards of other relevant industry organisations
Relevant health regulations and guidelines, policies and procedures, including child protection
Communication strategies may include:
Active listening
Appropriate language
Appropriate communication aids
Appropriate modes of communication
Appropriate demeanour and body language
Appropriate tone and presentation
Observation
Questioning, clarifying and advising
Providing appropriate and accurate information
Promoting positive client relationship may include:
Acknowledging and greeting courteously
Identifying client needs and attending to them in a timely manner
Handling complaints sensitively, courteously and in accordance with practice protocols
Demonstrating respect for clients' time
A client-centred approach to health includes:
Putting clients and carers at the centre of service delivery
Including clients in decision-making relating to their health care
Involving clients in discussions about service delivery options and issues
Obtaining client consent to examine, treat or work with them
Effective customer service
Employee rights and responsibilities may relate to:
Duty of care responsibilities
Leave entitlements
Attendance requirements
Obeying lawful orders
Confidentiality and privacy of organisation, client and colleague information
Adherence to WHS
Protection from discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace
The right to union representation
Issues requiring mandatory notification may include:
Protection of children and others identified to be at risk
Issues defined by jurisdictional legislation and/or regulatory requirements
Issues specifically identified by under organisation policies
Improved work practices may relate, for example to:
Enhancing outcomes for clients
Enhancing sustainability of work, such as efficient and effective work practices in relation to:
use of power
use of resources, including for administration purposes
waste management and recycling practices
Enhancing safety of staff and clients
Identifying and implementing improved work practices may include:
Reporting and implementing suggested improvements
Seeking and addressing customer feedback
Monitoring tasks
Responding to surveys and questionnaires
Assessing/observing/measuring environmental factors
Checking equipment
Employer rights and responsibilities may relate to:
Legislative requirements for employee dismissal (i.e Workplace Relations Act)
Legislative requirements to provide a safe work environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment (see state/territory and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation)
Enterprise workplace agreements
Relevant state and territory employment legislation (i.e. wage rates and employment conditions)
Designated knowledge/skill development may relate to:
Hazard control
WHS
Manual handling
First Aid
Cultural awareness
Infection control
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation emergency response and notification protocols
Fire emergency response procedures for notification and containment of fire, use of fire fighting equipment and fire safety procedures
Security procedures
Quality improvement policy and practice
Discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace
Formal and informal resolution of grievances
Waste management
Customer service
Communication, conflict resolution
Others
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should relate to specific work role and associated workplace conditions
Resources essential for assessment include any documents specific to the work context such as:
instructions for the use of equipment
specific instructions for staff
emergency response procedures
fire safety policies and procedures
security procedures
relevant accreditation standards
waste management policies and procedures
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should relate to specific work role and associated workplace conditions
Resources essential for assessment include any documents specific to the work context such as:
instructions for the use of equipment
specific instructions for staff
emergency response procedures
fire safety policies and procedures
security procedures
relevant accreditation standards
waste management policies and procedures
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8285 | HLTHIR501B | Maintain an effective health work environment | Unit of competency |