Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:33 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:33 PM 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.
Use specific health terminology to communicate effectively
Use specific health terminology to communicate effectively
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTCOM408D
HLTCOM408D
State Code
WD084
WD084
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/08/2014
Field of Education
120505 - Work Practices Programmes
Original Release Date
08/08/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
DescriptorThis unit covers the skills required to understand and respond to instructions, carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of internal and external clients in a health care practice, using appropriate practice-specific health terminology.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Respond appropriately to instructions containing health terminology
- 1.1 Receive, understand and document written and oral instructions using practice-specific health terminology
- 1.2 Use checklists containing health terminology where appropriate
- 1.3 Recognise and interpret abbreviations for practice-specific terms and associated processes
- 1.4 Understand and adhere to policies, procedures and guidelines of specific health workplace
- 1.5 Seek clarification of instructions when necessary
2. Carry out routine tasks
- 2.1 Use practice-specific health terminology correctly in the completion of routine tasks
- 2.2 Seek assistance from designated person/s as required
3. Use appropriate health terminology in oral and written communication
- 3.1 Use appropriate practice-specific health terminology as directed in oral and written communication with clients, fellow workers and health professionals
- 3.2 Present written communication to a designated person for verification of terminology if required
- 3.3 Correctly spell and pronounce practice-specific health terminology
- 3.4 Seek advice from designated person as required to clarify correct use and meaning of practice-specific health terms and associated processes
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.
Practice-specific health terminology may include standard terms and abbreviations relating to:
Case taking
Departments/sections in a hospital
Health conditions and disease processes
Health insurance
Health investigations and procedures
Labelling
Other health care specialties
Practice equipment and instruments
Practice-specific language and nomenclature
Prescriptions
Referrals
Workcover
Written and oral instructions may include:
Client notes
Diary entries
Instructions for post-treatment care
Notices
WHS signs and instructions
Oral instructions
Prescriptions
Referrals
Routine reports
Telephone calls
Test results
Routine tasks may include:
Answering client enquiries
Entering client details into computer system
Filing client notes
Maintaining client information
Maintaining information to assist clients and practitioner(s)
Ordering stock (e.g. stationery, medical supplies)
Preparing reports
Processing correspondence
Producing a range of documents, as required
Receiving and making telephone calls
Recording information
Word processing
Oral communication may include:
Answering routine telephone enquiries
Communicating with a range of health care professionals on client related matters
Confirming appointments
Verbal instructions
Written communication may include:
Appointment diaries, cards
Case reports
Client histories
Client history questionnaires
Client records
Correspondence to a range of health care professionals on client related matters
Forms
Letters
Memoranda
Minutes
Telephone messages
Clinic guidelines may include:
Accessing and updating files
Cleanliness and hygiene
Comply with local, state and federal legislation
Correspondence format
Emergency procedures
Information specific to the practice
Instructions
Office practice manual
WHS
Recording information
Security, confidentiality and privacy procedures
Telephone protocol
Clarification may be sought from:
Clinic guidelines
Designated person/s
Dictionary of medical and/or other health care terminology
Drug and prescription information sources/databases
Practice specific texts
Relevant handbook
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.
Practice-specific health terminology may include standard terms and abbreviations relating to:
Case taking
Departments/sections in a hospital
Health conditions and disease processes
Health insurance
Health investigations and procedures
Labelling
Other health care specialties
Practice equipment and instruments
Practice-specific language and nomenclature
Prescriptions
Referrals
Workcover
Written and oral instructions may include:
Client notes
Diary entries
Instructions for post-treatment care
Notices
WHS signs and instructions
Oral instructions
Prescriptions
Referrals
Routine reports
Telephone calls
Test results
Routine tasks may include:
Answering client enquiries
Entering client details into computer system
Filing client notes
Maintaining client information
Maintaining information to assist clients and practitioner(s)
Ordering stock (e.g. stationery, medical supplies)
Preparing reports
Processing correspondence
Producing a range of documents, as required
Receiving and making telephone calls
Recording information
Word processing
Oral communication may include:
Answering routine telephone enquiries
Communicating with a range of health care professionals on client related matters
Confirming appointments
Verbal instructions
Written communication may include:
Appointment diaries, cards
Case reports
Client histories
Client history questionnaires
Client records
Correspondence to a range of health care professionals on client related matters
Forms
Letters
Memoranda
Minutes
Telephone messages
Clinic guidelines may include:
Accessing and updating files
Cleanliness and hygiene
Comply with local, state and federal legislation
Correspondence format
Emergency procedures
Information specific to the practice
Instructions
Office practice manual
WHS
Recording information
Security, confidentiality and privacy procedures
Telephone protocol
Clarification may be sought from:
Clinic guidelines
Designated person/s
Dictionary of medical and/or other health care terminology
Drug and prescription information sources/databases
Practice specific texts
Relevant handbook
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
This unit is most appropriately assessed in a classroom environment
Assessment may contain theoretical emphasis and examples covering a range of workplace situations in relation to a specific sector of the health industry
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
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
This unit is most appropriately assessed in a classroom environment
Assessment may contain theoretical emphasis and examples covering a range of workplace situations in relation to a specific sector of the health industry
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5825 | HLTCOM408C | Use specific health terminology to communicate effectively | Unit of competency |
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