Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:43 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:43 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.
Prepare for a reflexology treatment
Prepare for a reflexology treatment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTREF502C
HLTREF502C
State Code
WD272
WD272
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/08/2012
Field of Education
061711 - Massage Therapy
Original Release Date
28/08/2012
Nominal Hours
100
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to interpret information gathered in the health assessment and prepare for a reflexology treatment of a client by negotiating a treatment management plan
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Setup the workspace appropriately
- 1.1 Prepare the workspace in accordance with work health and safety (WHS)
- 1.2 Ensure the environment is of a warm, inviting and healing nature
- 1.3 Display appropriate professional material
- 1.4 Use ergonomic equipment appropriate for both client and self
- 1.5 Provide clean, comfortable and professional standards soft furnishings
2. Obtain, record and analyse an accurate history of the client
- 2.1 Seek information required from the client for the client's history in a respectful way ensuring all enquiries are asked in a purposeful. systematic and diplomatic manner
- 2.2 Identify factors likely to have an influence on the assessment during the consultation process and implement strategies to minimize the effect of these factors wherever possible
- 2.3 Manage information in a confidential and secure way
- 2.4 Gather, record and organise information in a way which can be interpreted readily by other professionals
- 2.5 Take into consideration treatment, information and advice provided by other health care professionals in determining the strategy to be used in treatment
- 2.6 Assess information gathered and assign priority in consultation with the client using knowledge, experience and theoretical principles gathered
- 2.7 Use professional judgement to develop a treatment strategy from the data collected
3. Record physical observations of the foot
- 3.1 Record assessment of the feet and associated signs and symptoms in a thorough and objective manner
- 3.2 Relate structural abnormalities of the foot to the case history
- 3.3 Identify and assess skin conditions and incorporate into treatment plan
- 3.4 Systematically monitor and record client progress
4. Determine precautions and contra-indications
- 4.1 Recognise and identify signs and symptoms of conditions as a pre-requisite for treatment/care
- 4.2 Observe and record precautions/contra-indications to reflexology and incorporate into treatment plan
- 4.3 Advise clients to seek medical advice where appropriate
5. Inform the client
- 5.1 Address the client appropriately
- 5.2 Obtain informed client consent prior to conducting a Reflexology assessment
- 5.3 Explain clearly the services able to be provided and the limits of available services
- 5.4 Explore and clarify client's expectations of services/clinic
- 5.5 Define personal abilities, level of professional competence and parameters of role to the client and ensure these are practiced at all times
- 5.6 Discuss the rationale of the treatment/assessment plan with the client
- 5.7 Identify legal rights and responsibilities of the client and practitioner
- 5.8 Respond to enquiries from the client using a language the client understands
- 5.9 Discuss referral and/or collaboration with other health professionals with the client as appropriate
6. Manage the health assessment
- 6.1 Anticipate potential sensitivities of the client and respect their dignity at all times
- 6.2 Identify, establish and routinely observe essential requirements for the maintenance of clinical and practitioner hygiene
- 6.3 Investigate anomalies and imbalances detected on assessment further through appropriate questioning and analysis of client feedback
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.
Professional material may include:
Qualifications
Code of Ethics
Association registration evidence
Charts, books
Business appointment cards
Brochures
Appointment book
Client record keeping facilities
Receipt book
Ergonomic support may include:
Massage table
Reflexology chair
Stool
Foot bowls
Soft furnishings may include::
Pillows
Bolsters
Linen
Factors likely to have an influence on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Age
Assessment of feet may include:
Overall appearance of the feet
Colour and texture of the skin
Bone and joint structure
Arch
Biomechanics
Signs of bacterial or viral infection
Signs of keratoses and other skin anomalies
Client History may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for reflexology treatment
Other treatments being undertaken
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
physical
emotional
mental
allergies
dietary
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adulthood injuries
Accidents, injuries and operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Signs and symptoms may include:
Physical evidence
Behavioural evidence
States of disorder
Test or examination results
Sensations
Onset
Duration
Location
Causation
Direction of chief complaint
Ameliorating and aggravating factors
Symptom qualities (intensity, severity, nature of complaint
Non-verbal signs and symptoms
Functional and pathological disturbances
Precautions and contra-indications may include:
Diseases and disorders of the feet
Thrombosis
Infectious/contagious diseases
Acute fever
Gangrene
Infectious skin diseases of the foot
Heavy medication
Unstable pregnancy
Diseases of the lymphatic and circulatory system
Diabetes
Clinical depression
Following surgery
First trimester of pregnancy
IVF treatment
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnic background
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Health professionals may include:
Client's general practitioner
Chiropractor
Dietitian
Naturopath
Podiatrist
Physiotherapist
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.
Professional material may include:
Qualifications
Code of Ethics
Association registration evidence
Charts, books
Business appointment cards
Brochures
Appointment book
Client record keeping facilities
Receipt book
Ergonomic support may include:
Massage table
Reflexology chair
Stool
Foot bowls
Soft furnishings may include::
Pillows
Bolsters
Linen
Factors likely to have an influence on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Age
Assessment of feet may include:
Overall appearance of the feet
Colour and texture of the skin
Bone and joint structure
Arch
Biomechanics
Signs of bacterial or viral infection
Signs of keratoses and other skin anomalies
Client History may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for reflexology treatment
Other treatments being undertaken
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
physical
emotional
mental
allergies
dietary
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adulthood injuries
Accidents, injuries and operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Signs and symptoms may include:
Physical evidence
Behavioural evidence
States of disorder
Test or examination results
Sensations
Onset
Duration
Location
Causation
Direction of chief complaint
Ameliorating and aggravating factors
Symptom qualities (intensity, severity, nature of complaint
Non-verbal signs and symptoms
Functional and pathological disturbances
Precautions and contra-indications may include:
Diseases and disorders of the feet
Thrombosis
Infectious/contagious diseases
Acute fever
Gangrene
Infectious skin diseases of the foot
Heavy medication
Unstable pregnancy
Diseases of the lymphatic and circulatory system
Diabetes
Clinical depression
Following surgery
First trimester of pregnancy
IVF treatment
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnic background
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Health professionals may include:
Client's general practitioner
Chiropractor
Dietitian
Naturopath
Podiatrist
Physiotherapist
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) is essential for assessment of this unit
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 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
Qualified assessor who is recognised by an Australian reflexology peak association
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
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
Short tests and essays
Oral questioning and discussions
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
Related units:
This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTWHS300B Contribute to WHS processes
HLTREF501B Work within the reflexology framework
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) is essential for assessment of this unit
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 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
Qualified assessor who is recognised by an Australian reflexology peak association
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
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
Short tests and essays
Oral questioning and discussions
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
Related units:
This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTWHS300B Contribute to WHS processes
HLTREF501B Work within the reflexology framework
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8471 | HLTREF502B | Prepare for a reflexology treatment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUZ87 | HLTREF003 | Perform reflexology health assessments | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J109 | HLT51712 | Diploma of Reflexology | Qualification |