Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:29 AM AWST

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Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice

Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTENN068
State Code
ODI66
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
02/07/2021
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
29/10/2021
Field of Education
060313 - Palliative Care Nursing
Original Release Date
29/10/2021
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide a person-centred approach to palliative and end of life care in primary health care, hospitals, hospices, home and community care, and long-term care facilities.This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulatory authority legislative requirements.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian Standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify and apply palliative approach to care.
  • 1.1. Undertake assessments using palliative principles and approach.
  • 1.2. Apply pathophysiological changes associated with a life-limiting illness.
  • 1.3. Assess pain management and implement strategies to address pain.
  • 1.4. Assess preferences for symptom management and quality of life.
  • 1.5. Reflect on lifestyle choices to formulate and implement the plan of care.
  • 1.6. Identify and work within roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary health care team when planning palliative care.
2. Support families and carers using palliative care approach.
  • 2.1. Identify and apply the advanced care plan and directive.
  • 2.2. Provide the families and carers with opportunities to confirm spiritual and cultural issues.
  • 2.3. Apply communication techniques when accessing support services.
  • 2.4. Monitor condition and provide accurate and timely information that respects the families and carers’ wishes.
3. Identify needs of a person requiring end of life care.
  • 3.1. Provide nursing care by applying a palliative approach and culturally sensitive end of life care.
  • 3.2. Provide symptom management including goals of care, education, psychological and spiritual support.
  • 3.3. Identify end of life care needs for those with cognitive decline and mental health impairment.
4. Identify and respond to signs of deterioration and the stages of dying.
  • 4.1. Support the person, families and carers throughout the end of life phase.
  • 4.2. Identify physiological signs and symptoms of dying and report signs of deterioration and implement the person’s wishes as per the plan of care.
  • 4.3. Support the dignity of the person when undertaking care activities in their end of life stages.
  • 4.4. Identify and respond to legal and ethical issues with deterioration and stages of dying.
5. Provide care after death.
  • 5.1. Determine extinction of life and acknowledge bereavement support.
  • 5.2. Ensure after death care is carried out with dignity and respect, and that individual customs, culture, religion, spiritual practices and choices are taken into account.
  • 5.3. Provide care of the body after death using standard precautions.
6. Recognise and reflect on own emotional self-care.
  • 6.1. Identify and reflect on own need for self-care.
  • 6.2. Identify and implement ways to sustain own social and emotional wellbeing.
  • 6.3. Encourage self and colleagues to access support and participate in professional debriefing.
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State Code National Code Title Type
BGW6 HLT64121 Advanced Diploma of Nursing Qualification
BGW5 HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing Qualification