Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Definition of homœopathy:
Homœopathy is a system of therapeutics based on the principle of the law of similars. This requires the selection and prescription of a medicine (remedy) that, through prior testing on healthy people and from clinical experience and observation, is known to be capable of producing a set of symptoms most similar to the symptom picture of the client. The medicine is prescribed in the minimum dose required to bring about (stimulate) healing. This therapeutic methodology in no way limits the scope of homœopaths in the provision of ancillary or emergency care, where this accords with homœopathic principles and is required for the well-being of the client.


The central philosophy of homœopathy is based:
The law of similars - the principle that an individual case of disease with a given set of symptoms can be cured by a medicine which is known to produce the most similar set of symptoms when trailed/proven on healthy individuals.


Major method of treatment:
The prescription of a single homœopathic medicine


Other methods of treatment refers to:
Nutritional guidance
Personal hygiene advice
Counselling
Removing obstacles to cure
Other medical therapies


Appropriate homœopathic diagnostic techniques may include:
Homœopathic case taking
Repertorisation
Observation
Physical examination
Specimen collection and testing


Homoeopathic diagnostic tools may include:
Homoeopathic materia medica and/or repertory
Related medical texts
Glucometer/test strips/lancets
Peak flow meter
Stethoscope
Opthalmoscope
Percussion hammer
Transluminator
Thermometer
Sphygmomanometer
Scales
Height measure
Length measure
Urine test stix
Spirometers
Torches
Otoscope
Any other instrument as appropriate


Other therapies may include:
Naturopathy or other alternative/complementary therapies
Osteopathy
Chiropractic
Physiotherapy
Medical
Counselling


Basic information on other therapies may include:
Recommended sources
Basic tools and techniques


Relationship between homoeopathy and other therapies may include:
Contra-indications to treatment
Effects of one treatment over or with another
Treatment according to stage of condition
Interactions between different therapies
When other therapies may be useful


Enquiries may require:
Duration of treatment
Expected treatment outcomes
Possible approaches to treatment
Estimated cost of treatment
Availability of health fund rebates
Work cover eligibility
Professional status of practitioner
Availability of home visits
After hours/locum service
Provision for hospital visits


Appropriate information may include:
Confirmation of appointment date and time
Clinic location and directions
Cost of consultations and/or prescriptions
Payment options


Relevant data may include:
Source of referral
Client questionnaire
Medical reports
Medication
Biological specimens


Clinic guidelines may include:
Procedures and guidelines
Purpose or mission statement
Code of ethics or practice
Level of competency and degree of supervision
Partnership/group decisions, agreed practice


Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:
WHS guidelines
Anti-discrimination legislation
Privacy Act
Infection control


Relevant documentation may include:
Nature of enquiry
Client contact details
Incident reports
Appointment details

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)
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 may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
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


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Oral questioning and discussion
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.


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