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.


Central philosophies must include:
Mind/body connection
Holistic approach to health
Personal wellbeing
Attitude adjustment
Therapeutic partnership


Major methods of treatment 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 Contemporary therapies may include
Therapies in which the practitioner is trained or informed


Aromatherapy assessment techniques may include but are not limited to
Examination of physical features
Palpation
Observation
Listening and smelling
Taking of blood pressure, temperature, radial pulse rate and quality
Percussion
Discussion/questioning
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements


Information on other complementary therapies may include::
Historical development
Current availability
Tools and techniques
Interactions between different therapies
When therapies may be used
Underpinning philosophy


Relationships between therapies may include:
Contraindications to treatment
Effects of one treatment over or with another
Treatment according to stage of condition


Enquiries may require explanation of:
Duration of treatment
Expected treatment outcomes
Possible approaches to treatment
Estimated cost of treatment
Availability of health fund rebates
Work cover eligibility
Professional status of practitioner
Availability of home visits
After hours service
Provision for hospital visits


Appropriate information may include:
Confirmation of appointment date and time
Clinic location and directions
Cost of initial consultation
Payment options


Clinic's guidelines may include:
Procedures and guidelines
Purpose or mission statement
Code of ethics or practice
Level of competency and degree of supervision
Partnership/group decisions, agreed practice


Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:
WHS guidelines
Anti-discrimination legislation
Privacy Act
Infection control


Relevant documentation may include:
Nature of enquiry
Client contact details
Recording of incidents
Appointment details

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 the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
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:
appropriate assessment environment
an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
relevant texts or medical manuals
relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
skilled assessors


Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Practical demonstrations and simulations
Written assignments/projects including short tests and essays
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
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