Unit of competency Outline

Information current as of
20/10/2026 8:44 AM AWST

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Practise in contemporary rural/remote health care

Practise in contemporary rural/remote health care

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN618B
State Code
D8243
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
22/07/2011
Original Release Date
25/03/2011
Nominal Hours
60
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Description
DescriptorThis competency unit describes the skills and knowledge required by Enrolled/Division 2 nurses to perform nursing interventions to assist clients of rural health care services to maintain or regain optimal function and lifestyle
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work as part of the rural multidisciplinary health care team
  • 1.1 Contribute appropriately to support the role of the rural multidisciplinary health care team in managing the care of clients
  • 1.2 Contribute to achieving effective team work and supportive group dynamics when working with health care colleagues
  • 1.3 Establish appropriate professional relationships with other members of the health care team
  • 1.4 Recognise the contributions of community services outside the health team in supporting health care clients
  • 1.5 Recognise the contributions of emergency service personnel, referring agencies, hospital and community team staff to the care needs of the rural client
2. Clarify the impact of the rural client's treatment and rehabilitation on the client and/or their family
  • 2.1 Perform a holistic assessment of the client in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse
  • 2.2 Incorporate an understanding of anatomy and physiology into nursing practice
  • 2.3 Work with a knowledge of the various manifestations of client's areas of dysfunction and associated pathophysiology of each clinical manifestation
  • 2.4 Work with a knowledge of the impact of distance from specialist services and equipment
  • 2.5 Support clients involved in telemedicine consultations
  • 2.6 Discuss with the client the psychosocial impact of their health problems on their activities of daily living
  • 2.7 Identify and discuss with the client and/or their family common problems and complications for rural clients
  • 2.8 Communicate effectively with clients, family and health team members locally and in metropolitan treatment centres
  • 2.9 Clarify the care needs of the rural client in terms of the phases of care required
3. Address the health care needs of clients in the Australian rural environment
  • 3.1 Work with an understanding of the effects of distance and small community size on the health care services in rural environments
  • 3.2 Work with an understanding of the significance of local culture and tradition on the health care requirements of rural clients
  • 3.3 Work with an understanding of the significance of privacy and confidentiality in rural environments
  • 3.4 Apply an understanding of funding arrangements for rural health service environments
  • 3.5 Address documentation requirements to assist the funding that impacts on rural health care provision
  • 3.6 In consultation/collaboration with the health care team, develop and implement health promotion activities for the local community
  • 3.7 Provide a physically and psychologically safe environment for the rural client receiving inpatient or outpatient care
4. Perform nursing interventions that support rural client health care needs
  • 4.1 Base nursing interventions on predetermined plans of care
  • 4.2 Ensure nursing interventions reflect client's physical, psychological and social needs and individuality and are performed with dignity, privacy and respect for the client
  • 4.3 Consider cultural, religious, gender and age issues in performing nursing interventions
  • 4.4 Encourage the client and/or their family to assist with nursing interventions as appropriate
  • 4.5 Use nursing interventions to assist the client to meet their activities of daily living
  • 4.6 Identify and prioritise nursing interventions according to client needs
  • 4.7 Ensure medication administration is based on sound knowledge of principles of drug actions and side effects in accordance with health unit policies and procedures
  • 4.8 Implement nursing interventions in accordance with legal, professional, ethical and organisation requirements
  • 4.9 Contribute to and support health teaching plans for the client in the rural health care environment
5. Assist in the provision of emergency care
  • 5.1 Use contemporary assessment tools accurately
  • 5.2 Ensure appropriate pre-, intra- and post-diagnostic procedures are undertaken in line with organisation policies and procedures
  • 5.3 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse provide nursing care in response to trauma and emergency medical conditions
  • 5.4 Assist in the preparation of clients for transport by air or road ambulance
  • 5.5 Report and document first aid/emergency treatment and client response to the treatment
  • 5.6 Recognise and act upon emergency situations according to organisation policy and procedure and within legal and professional requirements
6. Contribute to the quality and safety of rural health care
  • 6.1 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, use a problem solving framework to plan appropriate nursing management strategies
  • 6.2 Modify nursing interventions using critical thinking and problem solving approaches, to reflect changes in client's condition
  • 6.3 Assist with processes to evaluate the quality of nursing actions
  • 6.4 Demonstrate ability to rapidly re-prioritise care activities in temporarily changed circumstances
  • 6.5 Participate in organisation risk identification and risk management processes
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.


Multidisciplinary health care team members could include:
Rural client and their significant others
General Practitioners
Nurses
Social workers
Physiotherapists
Dieticians
Community services


Health care settings could include:
Residential aged care facilities
Extended care settings
Hospital - private or public
Short stay centres
Respite centres
Community centres
Day Centres


Plans of care may include:
Nursing care plans
Clinical pathways
Treatment plans
Medical notes
Community referrals
Admission and transfer
Rehabilitation plans


Legal and ethical issues include:
Rights and responsibilities of clients
Consent
Power of attorney
Medical Power of attorney
Advocacy
Elder abuse
Restraint
Advanced health directives
Ethical principles


Specific nursing interventions/clinical skills could include:
Foundation nursing interventions
Complex nursing interventions
Management of permanent and temporary mechanical ventilation including suctioning and bagging
Wound care
Skin care including - assessment and management of skin care
Health teaching in relation to client care needs
Pain management
Manual handling
Co ordination of clinical care
Assessment of oxygen saturation levels
Rehabilitative care practices


Evaluation of planned care includes:
Level of independence in performance of activities of daily living
Participation in rehabilitation programs
Self management of symptoms
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 of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions prior to assessment in the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning - verbal and writing
Role play/simulation


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
C9249 HLTEN618A Practise in contemporary rural/remote health care Unit of competency
No information