Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT

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.


Therapeutic principles refers to:
Principles and practices of the aromatherapy treatment


Contraindications to treatment and possible complicating factors may include but are not limited to:
Infection or infectious diseases
Pain local sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface
Fatigue
Inflammation
Lumps and tissue changes
Rashes and changes in the skin
Oedema
Mood alterations, e.g. depression, anxiety
Changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep
Bleeding and bruising
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Temperature hot/cold
Intoxication
Pregnancy
Illnesses and/or chronic disease
Disabilities
Surgeries and accidents


Aromatherapy techniques must include:
Baths including full bath, foot and hand and sitz bath
Vapourisation both direct e.g. inhalation and indirect e.g. burner and snozelene room (aged care and special needs)
Compress, hot and cold
Floral mists
Poultices
Dermal applications including ointments, creams and lotions
How to perform a patch test for potential client skin sensitivity
How to prepare appropriate dosages and dosage ratios
and may include:
Massage techniques including full body, foot and health, head and scalp
Other applications which may be discussed but not applied at this level include:
Douches
Lozenges
Ear nose and throat applications
External parasite treatments


Client constitution refers to:
Genetic foundation
Body type
Fitness
Mental attitude
Age
Gender
Cultural differences


Client compliance refers to:
Ability to understand and follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions


Discrepancies may include:
Client is unaware of the immediate danger of their condition
Client is over anxious about their condition
Client is unaware of maintaining causes acting on their condition
Practitioner is unaware of some implications of the client's condition
Practitioner and client each have a different view of what the main problem is


Practitioner responsibilities may include:
Isolating the person
Providing advice on public health matters
Appropriate hygienic or sexual behaviour
Referring notifiable/communicable disease to a registered doctor
Commitment to the treatment plan
Discussing relevant contraindications or potential complications to treatment
Reviewing of treatment plan
Ensuring a therapeutic partnership relationship


Client responsibilities may include:
Following instruction/advice during and post treatment
Advising practitioner of any relevant contraindications or potential complications to treatment
Advising practitioner of compliance issues
Commitment to the treatment plan
Providing feedback on treatment


Treatment evaluation strategies may include:
Discussing and reviewing of response to treatment
Reviewing achievement of treatment goals
Monitoring time frame for achieving treatment goals

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
Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment


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


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Resources essential for assessment include:
a fully stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
relevant texts or medical manuals
anatomical model
relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
appropriate assessment environment
qualified assessor


Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Practical demonstration
Written assignments/projects and research
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Oral questioning and discussion
Role play/simulation
Explanation for plan preparations
Journals and portfolios
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision


Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients