Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:36 PM AWST

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Support renal dialysis clients in the community setting

Support renal dialysis clients in the community setting

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAHW054
State Code
WG705
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
06/08/2015
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
061305 - Indigenous Health
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to help support clients considering renal replacement therapy and to provide routine care for clients undertaking dialysis in the community setting.This unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assist clients to make informed choices on renal replacement therapy
  • 1.1 Provide information on renal failure and renal replacement therapy options to clients with chronic renal failure and their families, in consultation with the health care team
  • 1.2 Identify and provide to clients appropriate health education resources on renal disease dialysis and transplantation
  • 1.3 Provide information and practical assistance to renal clients who need to travel to distant referral centres for assessment, treatment or training
  • 1.4 Support current and potential future dialysis ‘helpers’ with information and practical assistance in their role
  • 1.5 Ensure client access to specialist nephrology care
2. Measure hydration status of renal dialysis clients
  • 2.1 Obtain history of shortness of breath or postural dizziness
  • 2.2 Measure ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ weight and compare with ideal body weight
  • 2.3 Elicit physical signs of fluid overload
  • 2.4 Interpret client weight, blood pressure and other clinical signs to determine hydration status
  • 2.5 Revise ideal body weight estimates in consultation with senior staff
  • 2.6 Document assessments in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
3. Undertake routine pathology testing for dialysis clients
  • 3.1 Provide information on routine dialysis tests to clients in plain language
  • 3.2 Collect blood specimens and complete pathology request forms according to standard protocols
  • 3.3 Interpret routine test results and give basic client feedback
  • 3.4 Refer abnormal test results to medical staff for action
4. Support renal clients to access and use medicines wisely
  • 4.1 Provide clients with plain language information on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects of medicines commonly used in dialysis care
  • 4.2 Identify potential drug interactions, special precautions, contraindications and side-effects and refer to a medical practitioner
  • 4.3 Administer medicine by oral and intramuscular routes in accordance with medicine orders, organisation policies and procedures and legal frameworks
  • 4.4 Support and monitor client adherence to medicines regimen
  • 4.5 Provide assistance with supply of medicines and use of dose administration aids according to client needs
  • 4.6 Keep records of chronic medicines supply and administration in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D5703 HLTAHW513B Support renal dialysis clients in the community setting Unit of competency