Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:50 AM AWST
23/07/2026 4:50 AM 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.
Apply casts
Apply casts
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTCT401D
HLTCT401D
State Code
WD098
WD098
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2014
Field of Education
061799 - Rehabilitation Therapies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
05/08/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to fabricate and apply casts
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to apply casts
- 1.1 Assemble and check equipment and materials for applying casts to ensure that it is in clean and in working order
- 1.2 Receive and confirm if in doubt requirements for application of casts with relevant personnel
- 1.3 Assess client's condition and identify precautions and potential complications of applying cast
- 1.4 Explain procedure to client and obtain client consent/agreement
- 1.5 Provide the client opportunities to ask questions and discuss areas of concern
- 1.6 Meet the comfort and safety needs of the client and applicator
- 1.7 Review the condition of wound and pin site and refer to relevant personnel as required
2. Apply casts
- 2.1 Position the area to which cast is to be applied in accordance with industry best practice
- 2.2 Meet the comfort and safety needs of the client and applicator
- 2.3 Client's specific needs in relation to application of casts are identified
- 2.4 Apply cast according to instructions and to meet client's needs
- 2.5 Achieve the correct moulding of cast
- 2.6 Complete documentation
3. Undertake post application procedures
- 3.1 Clean client at completion of procedure
- 3.2 Observe that the neurovascular status of limb to is within normal limits
- 3.3 Check the fit and functionality of cast
- 3.4 Provide client and carer with written and verbal advice for care of cast and limb
- 3.5 Fit client with sling, heel/overshoes and ambulation aids, as required
- 3.6 Instruct client on correct use of ambulation aids and ensure client is safe
- 3.7 Arrange appropriate support for client
4. Clean working environment
- 4.1 Dispose of waste in accordance with waste management policies
- 4.2 Clean equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and stored safely
- 4.3 Clean work surfaces in accordance with infection control guidelines
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.
Types of casts may include:
Fully circumferential
Hip spica
Slab
Split cast
Correct moulding of castmustinclude:
Absence of areas of pressure from cast
Movement of limb is controlled
Well fitted to limb
Equipment may include:
Arm/knee/buttock block
Benders
Cast bracing equipment
Heat pan
Plaster trap
Saw with vacuum
Scissors
Shears
Spreaders
Vice
Materials may include:
Abduction bars
Bandages
Cast shoes
Felts/foams
Hinges
Plaster
Quadrilateral bucket
Stockinettes
Strapping
Synthetic materials
Tapes
Thermoplastic materials
Undercast padding
Relevant personnel may include:
Medical practitioners
Other health professionals
Clients may include:
Adolescents
Adults
Children
Elderly
In-clients/out-clients
Infants
Assessment of client's condition may include:
Allergies
Mechanism of injury
Relevant medical history
Skin condition eg oedema, blisters, pressure areas, broken skin, fragile skin
Precautions may include:
Areas of broken skin
Conditions that result in a significant functional disability that may limit a person's ability to manage a cast
Conditions that result in fragile skin
Complications may include but are not limited to:
Cast breakdown
Cast migration (due to loss of tissue bulk)
Compromising related injury
Fracture blisters
Mal-alignment of bone
Neurovascular complications eg pressure areas
Reduced or loss of movement/function of joint
Secondary infection
Wound breakdown
Clients specific needs may include but are not limited to:
Age
Functional requirements or restrictions
Mobilisation difficulties or restrictions
Phobias
Physical anomalies
Religious and cultural beliefs
Documentation may include:
Appliance hire documentation
Appointment forms and books
Casts check forms
Client records
Work log books
Advice given to clients may include:
Cast care
Limb care
Mobilisation exercises/routines
Oedema control
Appropriate support may include:
Arrangement of educational material
Instructions for seeking advice if required
Organisation of walking aids eg crutches, wheelchairs
Referral to appropriate health professional
Review client's social situation in relation to their ability to self care with a cast
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.
Types of casts may include:
Fully circumferential
Hip spica
Slab
Split cast
Correct moulding of castmustinclude:
Absence of areas of pressure from cast
Movement of limb is controlled
Well fitted to limb
Equipment may include:
Arm/knee/buttock block
Benders
Cast bracing equipment
Heat pan
Plaster trap
Saw with vacuum
Scissors
Shears
Spreaders
Vice
Materials may include:
Abduction bars
Bandages
Cast shoes
Felts/foams
Hinges
Plaster
Quadrilateral bucket
Stockinettes
Strapping
Synthetic materials
Tapes
Thermoplastic materials
Undercast padding
Relevant personnel may include:
Medical practitioners
Other health professionals
Clients may include:
Adolescents
Adults
Children
Elderly
In-clients/out-clients
Infants
Assessment of client's condition may include:
Allergies
Mechanism of injury
Relevant medical history
Skin condition eg oedema, blisters, pressure areas, broken skin, fragile skin
Precautions may include:
Areas of broken skin
Conditions that result in a significant functional disability that may limit a person's ability to manage a cast
Conditions that result in fragile skin
Complications may include but are not limited to:
Cast breakdown
Cast migration (due to loss of tissue bulk)
Compromising related injury
Fracture blisters
Mal-alignment of bone
Neurovascular complications eg pressure areas
Reduced or loss of movement/function of joint
Secondary infection
Wound breakdown
Clients specific needs may include but are not limited to:
Age
Functional requirements or restrictions
Mobilisation difficulties or restrictions
Phobias
Physical anomalies
Religious and cultural beliefs
Documentation may include:
Appliance hire documentation
Appointment forms and books
Casts check forms
Client records
Work log books
Advice given to clients may include:
Cast care
Limb care
Mobilisation exercises/routines
Oedema control
Appropriate support may include:
Arrangement of educational material
Instructions for seeking advice if required
Organisation of walking aids eg crutches, wheelchairs
Referral to appropriate health professional
Review client's social situation in relation to their ability to self care with a cast
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
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
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Method of assessment:
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Observation of work activities when applying casts
Observation of simulation and/or role play when applying casts
Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses
Recognition of relevant life/work experience
Questioning, written assessments/projects, e-learning can be used to assess knowledge
Authenticated reports of experience in applying casts(Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)
Training records associated with first aid, occupational health and safety training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
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
Related units:
Holistic assessment practice with other health services units is encouraged
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with:
HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status
HLTCT402D Modify casts
HLTCT403D Remove casts
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
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
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Method of assessment:
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Observation of work activities when applying casts
Observation of simulation and/or role play when applying casts
Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses
Recognition of relevant life/work experience
Questioning, written assessments/projects, e-learning can be used to assess knowledge
Authenticated reports of experience in applying casts(Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)
Training records associated with first aid, occupational health and safety training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
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
Related units:
Holistic assessment practice with other health services units is encouraged
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with:
HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status
HLTCT402D Modify casts
HLTCT403D Remove casts
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5842 | HLTCT401C | Apply casts | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J079 | HLT41412 | Certificate IV in Cast Technology | Qualification |