Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:10 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:10 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.
Contribute to the care of mothers and babies
Contribute to the care of mothers and babies
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN520B
HLTEN520B
State Code
D8223
D8223
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2011
Field of Education
060303 - Midwifery
Original Release Date
21/07/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThe competency unit describes the knowledge and skills required by an Enrolled/Division 2 nurse working in the area of providing care to mothers and babies in a range of settings, such as postnatal, low risk nursery, child and family health and paediatric settings
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work as part of a team caring for a mother and her baby
- 1.1 Assist in performing an assessment of the mother and baby in consultation/collaboration with the midwife
- 1.2 Correctly use terminology associated with pregnancy, labour and antenatal care of mother
- 1.3 Work with a knowledge of patterns of antenatal and postpartum care of mother and contribute to delivering care in line with own nursing role
- 1.4 Assist and support the mother with feeding of baby
- 1.5 Refer any difficulties with feeding bay to midwife
- 1.6 Discuss methods of contraception with the mother, as appropriate, in consultation/collaboration with the midwife
- 1.7 Demonstrate safe bathing, baby safety, dressing techniques and feeding assistance for the newborn
- 1.8 Review care plans and progress notes for the newborn and discuss observations and progress in line with Enrolled/Division 2 nurse responsibilities
- 1.9 Record any abnormal observations and report to midwife
- 1.10 Identify and discuss potential emotional, spiritual and/or specific cultural needs with new mothers, as appropriate, in consultation/collaboration with the midwife
- 1.11 Provide holistic care to support maternal and child health in line with own nursing role
2. Assist in evaluating the outcomes of planned care
- 2.1 Evaluate the mother's response and progress towards planned care in consultation/collaboration with midwife
- 2.2 Provide mother with contact details for available community support services
- 2.3 Provide guidance as required to clarify common myths and superstitions associated with caring for mothers and babies in consultation/collaboration with the midwife
- 2.4 Assist the midwife to assess the mother's ability to feed, settle, bathe and care for her baby in preparation for discharge
- 2.5 Document and communicate outcomes of care to the midwife and other members of the health care team
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.
Terminology associated with pregnancy may include:
Gestation
Gravida
Parity
Still born
Termination
Viability
Embryo
Placenta
Foetus
Trimesters
Signs of pregnancy
Confirmation of pregnancy
Estimation date of delivery
Terms commonly associated with birth include:
Signs of approaching birth
True versus false labour
Contractions
Rupture of membranes
Stages of labour
Episiotomy
Types of delivery (eg. caesarian)
Fundal
Perineum
Apgar score
Fontanelle
Meconium
Premature
Konakion
Common myths and superstitions may relate to, for example:
Birthing
Breast feeding
Circumcision
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.
Terminology associated with pregnancy may include:
Gestation
Gravida
Parity
Still born
Termination
Viability
Embryo
Placenta
Foetus
Trimesters
Signs of pregnancy
Confirmation of pregnancy
Estimation date of delivery
Terms commonly associated with birth include:
Signs of approaching birth
True versus false labour
Contractions
Rupture of membranes
Stages of labour
Episiotomy
Types of delivery (eg. caesarian)
Fundal
Perineum
Apgar score
Fontanelle
Meconium
Premature
Konakion
Common myths and superstitions may relate to, for example:
Birthing
Breast feeding
Circumcision
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 a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse or midwife
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace but may be undertaken in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Method of assessment:
Observation of clinical performance
Questioning
Evidence gathered from the clinical work environment
Case studies
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
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTAP501B Analyse client health information
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
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 a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse or midwife
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace but may be undertaken in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Method of assessment:
Observation of clinical performance
Questioning
Evidence gathered from the clinical work environment
Case studies
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
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTAP501B Analyse client health information
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9229 | HLTEN520A | Contribute to the care of mothers and babies | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWA03 | HLTENN014 | Contribute to maternal and infant health care | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D111 | HLT61107 | Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |
| J108 | HLT51612 | Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled-Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |