Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:45 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.

Maintain personal health and awareness as a professional responsibility

Maintain personal health and awareness as a professional responsibility

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSHU509C
State Code
D8498
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/03/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
061711 - Massage Therapy
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
85
Description
DescriptorThis unit covers the skills required for a health worker to maintain personal and professional health in order to effectively treat clients and to maintain professional integrity
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish and implement a personal health strategy
  • 1.1 Develop personal health and awareness according to values consistent with health discipline philosophy and practice
  • 1.2 Provide a model for personal and community health by demonstrating and maintaining self discipline, personal values and professional identity
  • 1.3 Demonstrate punctuality, mental and physical stamina, focussed attention, genuine interaction and consistency with own advice
2. Develop an appreciation of the human condition
  • 2.1 Reflect an understanding and respect of influences on human behaviour and health in interaction with others
  • 2.2 Acknowledge and respect cultural, gender and other differences
3. Develop a professional identity
  • 3.1 Recognise, understand and apply the health work roles and abilities in accordance with accepted standards
  • 3.2 Ensure the practice setting is appropriate to the standards and requirements of the client, the profession and the public
  • 3.3 Demonstrate confidence, recognition of self-limits and a capacity to establish and maintain a professional approach
4. Interact with the health care profession
  • 4.1 Cultivate communication with other members of the health sector, other health care professionals and the general public, as required to identify, develop and maintain professional standards
  • 4.2 Receive or dispatch information critical to responsible client management to other professionals or services
  • 4.3 Respect and acknowledge external case management or intervention selected by the client
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.


Development of personal health and awareness may include:
Undertaking chosen health maintenance practices and accepting the observations or other health professionals
Meditation or other introspective practices
Professional counselling
Peer support networks
Regular physical activity


Self discipline, personal values and professional identity may be demonstrated through:
Attitudes, composure and dialogue which occurs within the practice setting
Condition and maintenance of work premises
Behaviours and activities within the public domain
Promotional and information literature made available by the health worker to clients and the public


Behaviour and presentation of the health worker encompasses:
Work environment
Personal appearance
Technical performance of health work role
Demonstrable attitudes and values
Working within physical and emotional limitations
A personal sense of wellbeing


Influences on human behaviour and health include:
Age
Ethnic
Cultural origins
Gender


Interaction with others refers to:
Physical
Verbal
Non-verbal
Work-based and public interaction
Effective handling of client feedback and complaints


Self-limits refers to:
Individual level of competency
Scope of experience
Physical endurance
Availability and commitment to clients
Awareness of bias and inappropriate responses


Communication may be by:
Journals and other publications
Association or other meetings
Peer support networks and groups
Continuing education workshops and seminars
Other verbal or written communication between individuals


Standards include:
Competency-based standards
Accepted business practice standards
Personal and professional conduct consistent with accepted codes of ethics and conduct
Membership of relevant professional associations
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 in the work environment is preferable. However, where workplace observation is insufficient to demonstrate competence, simulations and/or case studies may be used as supporting evidence
Evidence of workplace performance over time must be obtained to inform a judgement of competence
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
C9498 HLTSHU509B Maintain personal health and awareness as a professional responsibility Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AUZ81 HLTSHU003 Maintain personal health and awareness for traditional oriental medicine practice Unit of competency