Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:09 PM AWST
22/07/2026 2:09 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.
Assist with podiatry assessment and exercise
Assist with podiatry assessment and exercise
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAH406C
HLTAH406C
State Code
WD027
WD027
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/07/2012
Field of Education
061713 - Podiatry
Original Release Date
19/07/2012
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist a podiatrist with the delivery and monitoring of specific client exercise and rehabilitation programs and in the completion of client foot health assessments
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for the delivery of podiatry exercise program or assessment procedures
- 1.1 Interpret client care plan prepared by supervising podiatrist and implement relevant exercise program or assessment procedure
- 1.2 Determine client availability according to organisation protocols
- 1.3 Gather necessary equipment
2. Deliver podiatry exercise or rehabilitation program
- 2.1 Explain to the client the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the exercise or rehabilitation program
- 2.2 Determine the client's understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of the program
- 2.3 Assist client to follow instructions of the podiatrist, including those techniques used at home
- 2.4 Identify and note any difficulties the client experiences completing the exercise program
- 2.5 Provide feedback to the client
- 2.6 Identify and manage client compliance issues
- 2.7 Work with the client to establish any necessary action
- 2.8 Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates
- 2.9 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority
- 2.10 Report client difficulties to the supervising professional
3. Assist with podiatry assessments
- 3.1 Determine client assessment requirements from the treating podiatrist and podiatry care plan or records
- 3.2 Provide the physical environment required to meet assessments in a manner that is safe for the client and operators
- 3.3 Explain to the client the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the assessment activity
- 3.4 Determine the client's understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the assessment activity
- 3.5 Assist podiatrist with assessment procedures, including handling equipment and recording data
- 3.6 Work with client and podiatrist to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates
- 3.7 Identify and manage client compliance issues.
- 3.8 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority
- 3.9 Report client difficulties to the supervising professional
4. Clean and store equipment
- 4.1 Clean equipment according to manufacturers and organisation requirements
- 4.2 Store equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols
- 4.3 Report equipment faults to appropriate person
5. Document client information
- 5.1 Use accepted protocols to document information in line with organisation requirements
- 5.2 Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems
6. Comply with supervisory requirements
- 6.1 Provide podiatry assistance according to the instruction of treating podiatrist
- 6.2 Provide client progress feedback to the treating podiatrist
- 6.3 Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating podiatrist
- 6.4 Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the advice of the treating podiatrist
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.
Supervision refers to:
Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position
The nature of supervision is flexible and may be conducted by various means including:
in person
through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary
Frequency of supervision will be determined by factors such as:
the task maturity of the person in that position or clinical placement
the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans in case of students and assistants
the need to correct and develop non clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team
A person under supervision does not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency will be determined by factors outlined above
Clients may include:
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly people
Settings may include
Hospitals
Community health services
Private practice
Client homes
Aged care residential care settings
Therapeutic modality may include:
Heat and cold
Stretching and strengthening
Guided exercise (chair based, warm water, exercise equipment, etc)
Soft tissue massage
Exercise and rehabilitation activities may include but are not limited to:
Stretching programs
Strengthening programs
Improving range and quality of motion in joints
Improving proprioception and sensory feedback through guided and supported activity
Use of physical and mechanical aids and equipment
Supervised use of electronic therapeutic equipment (such as ultrasound, TENS)
Advice and support in selection of appropriate footwear
Assessment activities may include but are not limited to:
Assisting with collection of data such as:segmental blood pressure measurement (ankle-brachial index, digital brachial index)
Doppler ultrasound
Cutaneous sensory testing (monofilament, calibrated vibration, sharp/blunt)
Gait assessment through image analysis
Gait assessment through electronic data collection
Recording information provided by podiatrist during patient assessment
Equipment may include but is not limited to:
Weights and resistance equipment
Ambulation and mobilisation aids and equipment
Measurement devices (goniometers)
Stethoscope
Sphygmomanometer
Doppler Ultrasound equipment
Monofilament
Calibrated tuning fork/vibration equipment
Treadmill
Image capture equipment (still and video cameras)
Computer hardware and assessment software
Therapeutic ultrasound equipment
TENS
Wax Bath
Heat/cold equipment
Client difficulties may include but are not limited to:
Musculoskeletal disorders
Peripheral vascular disease
Neuropathy (central and peripheral nervous system)
Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state and national)
Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, Australasian Podiatry Council, September 2005
Industry professional bodies
Australasian Podiatry Council
Australian Podiatry Association (State)
Industry standards (state and national)
Podiatrists Registration Board (State)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Medical Records Act
Relevant Australian Standards
Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4815 - 2001 (Office-based health care facilities not involved in complex patient procedures and processes - Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment)
Australian Standard AS 4187 - 1998 (Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment and maintenance of associated environments in a health care facilities)
Australian Standard AS 2182 - 1998 (Sterilisers - steam-bench top)
Client compliance refers to:
Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions
Information may include:
Podiatry care plan
Supervising podiatrists instructions
Client record
Checklists
Case notes
Other forms according to procedures of the organisation
Supervision refers to:
Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position
The nature of supervision is flexible and may be conducted by various means including:
in person
through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary
Frequency of supervision will be determined by factors such as:
the task maturity of the person in that position or clinical placement
the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans in case of students and assistants
the need to correct and develop non clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team
A person under supervision does not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency will be determined by factors outlined above
Clients may include:
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly people
Settings may include
Hospitals
Community health services
Private practice
Client homes
Aged care residential care settings
Therapeutic modality may include:
Heat and cold
Stretching and strengthening
Guided exercise (chair based, warm water, exercise equipment, etc)
Soft tissue massage
Exercise and rehabilitation activities may include but are not limited to:
Stretching programs
Strengthening programs
Improving range and quality of motion in joints
Improving proprioception and sensory feedback through guided and supported activity
Use of physical and mechanical aids and equipment
Supervised use of electronic therapeutic equipment (such as ultrasound, TENS)
Advice and support in selection of appropriate footwear
Assessment activities may include but are not limited to:
Assisting with collection of data such as:segmental blood pressure measurement (ankle-brachial index, digital brachial index)
Doppler ultrasound
Cutaneous sensory testing (monofilament, calibrated vibration, sharp/blunt)
Gait assessment through image analysis
Gait assessment through electronic data collection
Recording information provided by podiatrist during patient assessment
Equipment may include but is not limited to:
Weights and resistance equipment
Ambulation and mobilisation aids and equipment
Measurement devices (goniometers)
Stethoscope
Sphygmomanometer
Doppler Ultrasound equipment
Monofilament
Calibrated tuning fork/vibration equipment
Treadmill
Image capture equipment (still and video cameras)
Computer hardware and assessment software
Therapeutic ultrasound equipment
TENS
Wax Bath
Heat/cold equipment
Client difficulties may include but are not limited to:
Musculoskeletal disorders
Peripheral vascular disease
Neuropathy (central and peripheral nervous system)
Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state and national)
Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, Australasian Podiatry Council, September 2005
Industry professional bodies
Australasian Podiatry Council
Australian Podiatry Association (State)
Industry standards (state and national)
Podiatrists Registration Board (State)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Medical Records Act
Relevant Australian Standards
Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4815 - 2001 (Office-based health care facilities not involved in complex patient procedures and processes - Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment)
Australian Standard AS 4187 - 1998 (Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment and maintenance of associated environments in a health care facilities)
Australian Standard AS 2182 - 1998 (Sterilisers - steam-bench top)
Client compliance refers to:
Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions
Information may include:
Podiatry care plan
Supervising podiatrists instructions
Client record
Checklists
Case notes
Other forms according to procedures of the organisation
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 workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven different client specific podiatry foot exercise and rehabilitation/podiatry assessment sessions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven balance and fall monitoring sessions
Consistent adherence to supervisory requirements
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
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment must be completed in the workplace.
Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures
Supervision from a podiatrist
Resources essential for assessment include:
clients
equipment
documentation
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Questioning
Clinical case studies
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 workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven different client specific podiatry foot exercise and rehabilitation/podiatry assessment sessions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven balance and fall monitoring sessions
Consistent adherence to supervisory requirements
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
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment must be completed in the workplace.
Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures
Supervision from a podiatrist
Resources essential for assessment include:
clients
equipment
documentation
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Questioning
Clinical case studies
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5638 | HLTAH406B | Assist with podiatry assessment and exercise | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVB03 | HLTAHA008 | Assist with podiatry assessment and exercise | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J088 | HLT42512 | Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | Qualification |