Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
20/10/2026 3:26 PM AWST
20/10/2026 3:26 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.
Provide treatments for common conditions
Provide treatments for common conditions
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTDEFHC408B
HLTDEFHC408B
State Code
D8168
D8168
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Original Release Date
25/03/2011
Nominal Hours
20
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Description
DescriptorThis unit covers the competency required to provide treatment for a limited range of common conditions and injuries. It includes the need to determine a treatment plan based on a clinical assessment and to provide treatment for common conditions and injuries, referring the client and reviewing the treatment planThis unit of competence is limited to providing basic treatments within defined clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine treatment plan
- 1.1 Determine treatment options most suitable to the client's condition, based on clinical assessment
- 1.2 Ascertain contraindications to treatment
- 1.3 In determining the treatment plan, take into consideration treatment and advice provided by other health care providers
- 1.4 Take into consideration possible client compliance issues in relation to determining specific treatment options
- 1.5 Determine treatment plan according to the clinical assessment and therapeutic needs of the client according to clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and own clinical judgment
- 1.6 Recognise the need for referral where the client's condition requires treatment that is outside the scope or 'authority to practice', and refer client
2. Implement treatment plan
- 2.1 Explain treatment plan clearly and simply to the client
- 2.2 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns
- 2.3 Gain informed consent from client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures
- 2.4 Clarify responsibilities of health care provider and client within the treatment plan
- 2.5 Negotiate client compliance
- 2.6 Explain factors that may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment
- 2.7 Implement client care and treatments in accordance with personal hygiene and infection control procedures
- 2.8 Ask client to monitor responses to the treatment and to contact health care provider as required
- 2.9 Agree treatment evaluation/follow up strategies between the client and the health care provider
- 2.10 Record treatment in a manner that is easily read and interpreted by others and in accordance with organisation policy and procedure
3. Manage and review the treatment
- 3.1 Monitor responses to treatment and review against therapeutic expectations and record according to clinic guidelines
- 3.2 Evaluate progress with the client
- 3.3 Evaluate need for ongoing and/or additional treatment
- 3.4 Negotiate and agree changes to the treatment plan with the client to ensure optimal outcomes
- 3.5 Instigate additional treatment or referral for further examination as required
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.
Treatments may include:
Applying hot/cold therapy
Performing basic dressings and bindings
Performing basic clinical procedures
Prescribing and administering medication IAW clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols
Providing treatment advice
Referring the client for further clinical assessment and treatment
Clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures may include:
ADF nursing procedure manual
ADF treatment protocols
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian Standards
Contraindications to treatment may include:
Ability or willingness to comply with treatment
Known medication allergies
Known medication hypersensitivity
Known medication contraindications and interactions
Personal or life circumstances
Traumatic injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention
Client compliance issues refers to:
Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions
Common conditions and injuries may include:
Acute rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis
Bites and stings
Bowel constipation
Common cold
Contact dermatitis
Diarrhoea
Fever
Fungal and yeast infections of the skin
Headache
Influenza
Lip soreness
Miliaria (Pickly heat)
Motion sickness
Parasitic infestations of the skin
Pharyngitis
Worms/parasites infestations
Foreign body in eye
Skin injuries, such as blisters, lacerations, punctures, grazing, contusions or minor burns
Soft tissue injuries, such as haematoma, sprain, strain or overuse injuries
Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:
Australian and state standards and legislation
Industry standards
Organisation procedures
Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures
Direct instructions from supervisor
Ongoing and/or additional treatment may include:
Change of treatment regime
Change of frequency of treatment
Repetition of same treatment
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.
Treatments may include:
Applying hot/cold therapy
Performing basic dressings and bindings
Performing basic clinical procedures
Prescribing and administering medication IAW clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols
Providing treatment advice
Referring the client for further clinical assessment and treatment
Clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures may include:
ADF nursing procedure manual
ADF treatment protocols
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian Standards
Contraindications to treatment may include:
Ability or willingness to comply with treatment
Known medication allergies
Known medication hypersensitivity
Known medication contraindications and interactions
Personal or life circumstances
Traumatic injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention
Client compliance issues refers to:
Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions
Common conditions and injuries may include:
Acute rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis
Bites and stings
Bowel constipation
Common cold
Contact dermatitis
Diarrhoea
Fever
Fungal and yeast infections of the skin
Headache
Influenza
Lip soreness
Miliaria (Pickly heat)
Motion sickness
Parasitic infestations of the skin
Pharyngitis
Worms/parasites infestations
Foreign body in eye
Skin injuries, such as blisters, lacerations, punctures, grazing, contusions or minor burns
Soft tissue injuries, such as haematoma, sprain, strain or overuse injuries
Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:
Australian and state standards and legislation
Industry standards
Organisation procedures
Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures
Direct instructions from supervisor
Ongoing and/or additional treatment may include:
Change of treatment regime
Change of frequency of treatment
Repetition of same treatment
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
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the work
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible
Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
Clients presenting with common conditions
appropriate equipment and stores
relevant clinical guidelines and protocols
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of treatments that could be expected in the workplace
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
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:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with unit:
HLTDEFHC403B Conduct a clinical assessment
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
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the work
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible
Resource implications
Assessment requires access to:
Clients presenting with common conditions
appropriate equipment and stores
relevant clinical guidelines and protocols
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of treatments that could be expected in the workplace
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
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:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with unit:
HLTDEFHC403B Conduct a clinical assessment
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9174 | HLTDEFHC408A | Provide treatments for common conditions | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA45 | HLTDEF002 | Provide treatments for common conditions | Unit of competency |
