Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:30 PM AWST

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Contribute to the care of clients living with mental illness

Contribute to the care of clients living with mental illness

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTASEW004
State Code
OEO08
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
15/12/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/08/2023
Field of Education
061305 - Indigenous Health
Original Release Date
11/08/2023
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan and coordinate ongoing care for clients diagnosed with mental illness, as part of a multidisciplinary health care team.It requires the ability to take a case management and recovery oriented approach to the care of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients living with mental illness. It covers the skills required to assist with the development of mental health care plans, support clients to access mental health care and support services, monitor client health and coordinate their ongoing care.This unit is specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people working as health practitioners. They work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team to provide health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.No regulatory requirement for certification, occupational or business licensing is linked to this unit at the time of publication. For information about practitioner registration and accredited courses of study, contact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (ATSIHPBA).
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify cultural considerations for the treatment and care of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.
  • 1.1. Identify the importance of spiritual, cultural, family and community ties in the treatment and care of those living with mental illness.
  • 1.2. Seek information about available mental health facilities and evaluate the suitability of the environments for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.
  • 1.3. Investigate treatment approaches that may reduce stays in mental health facilities and allow early return of clients to their communities.
  • 1.4. Identify situations where a traditional healer could effectively contribute to the care of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.
2. Contribute to the planning of treatment and care for clients living with mental illness.
  • 2.1. Review client history and mental health assessments to ascertain requirements of mental health care plan.
  • 2.2. Identify proposed treatment, care and support options within limits of own ability and responsibility.
  • 2.3. Discuss, with multidisciplinary team, ways in which the plan can physically, spiritually and emotionally support the client and their family.
  • 2.4. Contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions in ways that recognise and support the client’s rights and needs including their cultural safety needs.
  • 2.5. Participate in a multidisciplinary team risk assessment of the client to ascertain best options for the client.
  • 2.6. Identify situations which indicate need for voluntary or involuntary hospital admission.
  • 2.7. Provide contributions to the proposed plan that recognise and respond to the complexity of client needs.
3. Work with clients and multidisciplinary team to finalise mental health care plans.
  • 3.1. Use culturally appropriate and safe communication to discuss proposed care plan with client and explain how it relates to physical, psychosocial and mental health needs.
  • 3.2. Participate in multidisciplinary team and client discussions to provide client with information about each aspect of proposed care plan and reasons for inclusion.
  • 3.3. Recognise verbal and non-verbal responses that indicate client difficulties with proposed plan, and encourage their comments and questions.
  • 3.4. Encourage client to express own strengths, abilities and information about their own support resources.
  • 3.5. Convey hope, optimism and expectation of recovery to encourage client contribution to their own plan.
  • 3.6. Adjust and finalise plan in consultation with multidisciplinary team members.
4. Contribute to the recovery of clients affected by mental illness.
  • 4.1. Plan and prioritise care strategies in collaboration with client, significant others and the multidisciplinary team.
  • 4.2. Advise clients about boundaries for interactions and how support will be provided.
  • 4.3. Support clients to make own choices about their needs, goals and mental health care.
  • 4.4. Inform clients about available support services and facilitate access according to their needs and preferences.
  • 4.5. Promote use of clients’ own support networks and assist clients and significant others to determine roles and ways that clients can make own decisions.
  • 4.6. Confirm clients understand importance of medications in their treatment and adherence to medication therapy.
  • 4.7. Collaborate with primary, secondary and tertiary health service providers to coordinate effective inter-sectoral service delivery for clients.
  • 4.8. Follow organisational procedures for maintaining client confidentiality and obtaining permission for disclosure.
5. Monitor client health and coordinate ongoing care.
  • 5.1. Monitor client health through ongoing scheduled assessments incorporated in care plan.
  • 5.2. Gain feedback from client and significant others about their levels of comfort and difficulty with care and support.
  • 5.3. Participate in multidisciplinary team and client discussions to evaluate effectiveness of care regime and to review care plan.
  • 5.4. Coordinate and provide continuity of care in consultation with client and multidisciplinary team.
  • 5.5. Respond promptly and supportively to facilitate referrals for crisis intervention according to client needs and preferences.
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WG724 HLTAHW073 Practise social and emotional wellbeing in a clinical setting Unit of competency