Elements and Performance Criteria

Knowledge of herbal medicines means at least 130 herbs which must include but are not limited to:
Achillea millefolium
Allium sativum
Althaea offficinalis
Angelica archangelica
Apium graveolens
Arnica montana
Avena sativa
Calendula officinalis
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Crataegus oxycantha/monogyna
Filipendula ulmaria
Foeniculum vulgare
Galium aparine
Hypericum perforatum
Inula helenium
Lavandula angustifolia
Matricaria recutita
Mentha x piperita
Plantago spp
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rubus idaeus
Rumex crispus
Salvia officinalis
Sambucus nigra
Silybum marianum
Stellaria media
Taraxacum officinale
Thymus vulgaris
Urtica dioica
Verbascum thapsus
Agropyron repens
Angelica sinensis
Arctium lappa
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Astragalus membranaceus
Berberis vulgaris
Capsicum minimum
Caulophyllum thalictorides
Chamaelirium luteum
Cimicifuga racemosa
Cynara scolymus
Dioscorea villosa
Echinacea spp
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Equisetum arvense
Euphrasia officinalis
Fucus vesiculosus
Gentiana lutea
Ginkgo biloba
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Hamamelis virginiana
Harpagophytum procumbens
Humulus lupulus
Hydrastis canadensis
Juniper communis
Leonurus cardiaca
Marrubium vulgare
Melissa officinalis
Paeonia lactiflora
Panax ginseng
Passiflora incarnata
Phytolacca decandra/americana
Rhamnus purshiana
Scutellaria lateriflora
Serenoa repens
Smilax spp
Solidago virgaurea
Symphytum officinale
Tanacetum parthenium
Thuja occidentalis
Tilia spp
Trifolium pratense
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Ulmus fulva
Valeriana officinalis
Viburnum opulus
Vitex agnus castus
Withania somnifera
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Zingiber officinale

Knowledge of herbal medicines must include a minimum of 3 herbs from each specific action category ie:
Alterative
Anodyne
Adaptogen
Alterative
Analgesic
Anodyne
Antiemetic
Anti-infective
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Antitussive
Antiviral
Aperient
Aphrodisiac
Astringent
Bitter
Cardioactive
Carminative
Cholagogue
Circulatory stimulant
Demulcent
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Eliminative
Emetic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Galactogogue
Hepatic
Laxative
Nervine
Relaxant
Rubefacient
Sedative
Stimulant
Stomachic
Tonic
Vasodilator
Vermifuge
Vulnerary

Specialised herbal medicine treatment includes:
Using a high level of herbal medicine knowledge to enable extrapolation of case study information to new cases
Using research including literature reviews and critical assessment of research, as a tool in providing treatment
Knowledge and understanding of the herbal medicine treatment of conditions/disease states of particular groups in society with specific needs
Knowledge and understanding of the scheduling of herbal medicines in the standard for the uniform scheduling of drugs and poisons
Applying recommending, dispensing or prescribing herbal medicines, extemporaneous preparations, herbal plasters, poultices, ointments or other topical herbal applications
All treatment or care delivered meets the requirements of relevant legislation and regulations
Collaborating with or referring to other health care professionals as required

Factors which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include:
Other medical treatment being undertaken
Client/patient physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness
Cultural factors
Contra-indications to treatment
Post treatment activity

Responses to reactions may include:
Adjusting treatment accordingly
Seeking appropriate expertise
Discussing reaction with the client/patient
Adhering to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies
Using of First Aid procedures according to St Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate First Aid training
Accessing local emergency services

Consent for treatment refers to:
Informed consent according to the local and national regulations and legal guidelines

Response to enquiries may include:
Providing (or directing to) information material
Answering questions
Following up with further information
Providing of referrals

The treatment plan may include:
Prescription of herbal medicines
Dispensing of extemporaneous preparations

Assessment of the case may include:
Antenatal, birth and post natal period information, apgar score, birth weight and feeding method and frequency
Family history, maternal and paternal
Growth and growth patterns
Height, weight and head circumference measurements
Changes in the pattern of growth over a series of measurements
Recognise major milestones in development
Relate the major milestones in personal and social skills fine motor skills, general motor skills and language development to a simplified standard milestone chart

Life stages refers to:
Neonate (birth to 28 days)
Children
Adolescence (puberty to adulthood)
Adulthood
Old Age
Pregnancy and post natal period for women
Peri-menopausal and post menopausal state for women

Critical aspects of assessment:
Ability to work or model work which demonstrates an ability to apply the underpinning values and philosophies of herbal medicine within clinical practice
Knowledge of a minimum of 130 major medicinal herbs as listed in the range of variables
Demonstrated ability to provide treatment appropriate to age and specific needs of clients/patients
Knowledge of a range of alternative and complementary therapies
Demonstrated ability to correctly identify client/patient information needs
Demonstrated ability to provide client/patient with required information
Demonstrated ability to appropriately record details of client/patient enquiries according to clinic guidelines
Demonstrated ability to explain relevant services and case management program
Demonstrated age appropriate communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Provide the herbal medicine treatment
Communicate effectively with clients/patients
Prepare and dispense herbal medicines

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of common disease states and functional problems of each bodily system, and the principles and practice of treating each system/condition
Knowledge of less common disease states and functional problems of particular groups in society with specific needs including, but not limited to infants, children, adolescents, elderly, peri- and post- menopausal, pregnant and lactating women
Knowledge of less common disease states and functional problems of the reproductive system of women and men
Ability to integrate knowledge of the historical, theoretical and philosophical aspects of herbal medicine into clinical practice
Demonstration of ability to analyse a complex clinical problem utilising western herbal medicine model of clinical reasoning, and utilising literature review techniques to understand the nature of the problem and its management
Knowledge and understanding of the scheduled herbs, including reasons for scheduling
Knowledge and understanding of the less common herbal medicines used for each system/condition, including their active principles
Knowledge of a minimum of 130 herbs as listed in the range of variables
Knowledge of how to select best treatment/medicine within best current practice
Knowledge of the principles of formulation (including dosage and duration of treatment)
Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans
Knowledge of the correct preparations required for specific treatment
Knowledge of how to correctly prepare and dispense herbal medicines
Knowledge of supplementary measures in the management of the conditions eg dietary considerations and exercise
Knowledge of the possible responses to treatments
Knowledge of contra-indications of treatment
Knowledge of herb-drug interactions
Knowledge of pathogenesis of herbal medicines administered
Discussion and demonstration of ability to identify and effectively monitor 'high level of concern' patients
Discussion and demonstration of ability to determine 'level of concern' in relation to risk of complications, severity of disease process, lifestyle factors and their impact on treatment strategies, timeframe of treatment, and other factors
Knowledge of medical reports and diagnostic procedure
Ability to extrapolate case study information to new cases
Demonstrated ability to access and interpret up-to-date information
Knowledge of research priorities
Knowledge of research issues and their uses
Ability to critically evaluate research
Knowledge of relevant reference works and information sources
Knowledge of statistical analysis
Ability to access and critically evaluate reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal
Interpersonal and questioning skills
Ability to communicate information through written or verbal media
Ability to write referrals, appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation

Resource implications
Resource requirements may include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors

Method of assessment
Assessment may include:
Practical demonstration
Simulations
Explanations of technique
Oral questioning and discussion
Case studies and scenarios

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of work conditions. Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations.