Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Cultural Respect
This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well being, community capacity and governance
Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices


Community Control
Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process


Supervision
Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing State/Territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements
References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals
A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines


Legislative Requirements
Federal, State or Territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute "usual practice" due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by "usual practice circumstances"
Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework


Potential impact of risk factors includes:
Lifestyle and other risk factors identified from a health history
Potential effects of risk factors on the foetus, including:
alcohol consumption
tobacco use
nutrition
prescription and non prescription drugs
illegal drugs
environmental hazards
Potential impact of compliance or non-compliance with antenatal care plan
Presence or absence of family, financial and social support systems
Environmental and housing issues affecting pregnancy, child care and family health


Potentially serious complications of pregnancy requiring referral may include:
Vaginal bleeding (painful and painless) - threatened miscarriage, incomplete miscarriage, placenta praevia, placental abruption
Abdominal pain in early pregnancy -ectopic pregnancy
Premature labour and premature rupture of membranes
Proteinuria / hypertension - pregnancy-induced hypertension
Signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension
Other urinary abnormalities - UTI, glycosuria
Reduced foetal movements and/or signs of poor foetal growth
Symptoms such as:
shortness of breath
a rise in BP
rapid weight gain
poor weight gain
oedema
abnormal fundal heights for dates
reduced or lack of foetal movement
absence of foetal health sound
abnormal urinalysis
pain on micturition
shortness of stature
anaemia


Antenatal physical assessment includes:
Abdominal palpation to identify foetal lie and presentation
Measurement of fundal height and estimation of expected progression of pregnancy
Perform venepuncture to collect blood for antenatal tests as per procedure manual
Perform an antenatal assessment
Identify all signs/evidence of pregnancy
Documentation of findings from a physical assessment and follow up as per policy and procedures manual


Issues relating to nutrition may include:
Nutrients required in pregnancy and their food sources
Identifying women 'at risk' for nutritional problems in pregnancy
Possible effects for the mother and foetus if diet is inadequate during pregnancy


Obstetric problems to be identified and managed include:
Antepartum haemorrhage
Vaginal discharges
Importance of a 'show' before 38 weeks of pregnancy
Fluid loss from the vagina
Ruptured membranes (including onset of labour, prolapsed cord, infection)
Abdominal pain in pregnancy (including braxton hicks contractions and labour contractions)
Incompetent cervix


Information provided includes:
Normal and abnormal vaginal discharge
Care of the perineum
Episiotomy or caesarean wound and breasts
Resumption of sexual relations
Obtaining baby clothes and nappies
Sources of advice and support
Welfare payments and other financial assistance

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 of assessment:
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 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


Conditions of assessment:
This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture
Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is:
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander him/herself
or:
accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care


Context of assessment:
Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible


Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with:
HLTAHW517B Prepare for and manage childbirth
HLTAHW518B Provide postnatal and infant health care