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.


Common complementary and alternative health modalitiesinclude:
Massage, remedial massage, shiatsu
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Western herbal medicine
Naturopathy
Nutritional medicine
Homoeopathy
Kinesiology
Ayurvedic
Yoga


Characteristics of these complementary health modalities may include:
Fundamental aromatherapy practices, in the form of applying essential oil preparations topically, in bath treatments and via inhalation, can be utilised:
In the practice of remedial and other massage techniques, essential oils can be utilised:
in combination with massage oils for use during massage treatments
in the creation of topical preparations for use during treatment or for home use between visits
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, shiatsu and kinesiology, essential oils can be used:
in the creation of a variety of topical preparations, bath preparations, etc., for use during treatment or for home use between visits
By the application of essential oil preparations to acupressure/acupuncture points and/or meridians
In naturopathic medicine, western herbal medicine, homeopathic medicine, nutritional medicine and ayurvedic medicine, essential oils and other aromatic extracts can be utilised as part of a treatment plan:
in the creation of topical preparations, bath preparations, etc., for use during treatment or for home use between visits, where appropriate
In yoga practice, essential oils and other aromatic extracts can be utilised as part of yoga practices:
by diffusing essential oils into the room environment during yoga practice to enhance relaxation and breathing


Emerging and future characteristics may include:
The use of fundamental aromatherapy applications in new complementary health modalities, as for example, in Reiki practice
The use of advanced essential oil applications (ingestive, vaginal, etc.), in conjunction with any complementary health modality where appropriate

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:
access to a variety of texts and resource material regarding aromatherapy practice


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Demonstration
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of diagnostic technique and strategies to contribute to best practice
Oral questioning
Role play simulation
Written assignment with practical demonstration
Diagnosis from assessment notes or simulated assessments
Short answer tests
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