Elements and Performance Criteria

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

Mode of administration may be:
Oral
Topical
Inhalation

Responses to reactions may include:
Adjusting treatment accordingly
Seeking appropriate expertise
Discussing reaction with the client/patient
Adherence to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies
Use of first aid procedures according to a 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

Treatments/remedies may include:
Advice on lifestyle
Recommendation of yoga practices
Ayurvedic Massage
Purvkarma procedures - including:
Snehana
Swedana (Nadi Swedana - localised herbalised steam application and Bashpa Swedana- full body herbalised steam application).
Shirodhara - Slow and disciplined pouring of specialised herbalised on Marma points on the client's forehead in a specified sequence
Preparation of various Herbalised Oils
Kati Basti - Localised heated oil application
Panchkarma (basic) - including:
Vamana - Therapeutic Emesis
Nasya - Therapeutic Cleansing of the Head Region
Virechana
Pishinchhali
Pinda Swedana
Panchakarma (advanced) - including:
Basti - Therapeutic Purification and Rejuvenation of Colon
Nirooha Basti - Cleansing Basti
Anuvasan Basti - Nourishing Basti
Pashatkarma procedures - including:
Samsarajana Karma
Dincharaya and Graduated Life Style
Rasayana
Oil application (shirodhaha, Abhyanga)
Marmapressure
Provision of ingestive formulas
Panchkarma
Olfaction and sweating (snehana & svedhana)
Dietary advice
Yoga Therapy

Regulations may include:
Hygiene and infection control regulations
OHS regulations
Clinic or professional practice guidelines

Advise and resource the client/patient refers to:
Providing relevant literature or information materials
Referring client/patient to other information sources
Providing advice regarding self-care
Advising client/patient of suggested resources
Providing details which help to fully inform patient/client of relevant information
Providing referrals to other health professionals
Availability of products required or suggested for treatment

Practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include:
Ayurvedic nutritional advice
Advice on lifestyle modifications
Exercise suggestions
Stress management/relaxation techniques
Counselling on behavioural change

Critical aspects of assessment:
Treatment plans are implemented to achieve optimal health, rehabilitation, or to improve quality of life which involve:
Appropriate preparation of the client/patient for treatment
Treatment of a range of conditions/disease states
Incorporation of the philosophies and beliefs of the practice of Ayurveda
Demonstration of the application of commonly used treatment practices
Provision of treatment in accordance with the individual, condition and presence of complicating factors.
Provision of the safest, most efficacious and cost effective treatment method
The use of counselling within Ayurvedic consultation as an aid to treatment
Provision of treatment in accordance with the treatment plan
Complete documentation of all recommendations and client/patient responses
Review of treatment plan
Demonstrated interpersonal skills

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Communicate effectively with clients
Contribute to the control of infection
Work effectively within the health industry

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of Jatharagni, bhutaagni, dhatuagni, Immune essence (Ojas), twenty attributes (Gunas)
Knowledge of Gross Channels (Srotas) - 3 Nutrient Channels (breath, food, water), 7 Tissue Channels (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow, reproductive), 3 Excretory Channels ( sweat, faeces, urine), 2 Female Channels (menstrual flow, lactation), 1 Mind Channel.
Knowledge of tridoshas
Five forms of vata (air) -prana, udana, samana, vyana, apana
Five forms of pitta (fire) -sadhaka, bhrajaka, pachaka, alochaka, ranjaka
Five forms of kapha (water) - tarpaka, avalambaka, kledaka, bodhaka, sleshaka
Knowledge of gastro-intestinal disorders, spleen/pancreatic disorders, congestive disorders (eg. Colds, flu, fluid retention etc.), endocrinological disorders, blood circulatory conditions, lymphatic conditions, dermatological conditions, ENT Disorders, urinary system, male reproductive system, female gynaecological system, knowledge of category c disorders, locomotor disorders, cardio-vascular disorders, gerontological disorders, neurological disorders (inc. Brain), psychological disorders, skeletal disorders, muscular disorders.
Ability to prepare patient - appropriate physical positioning of patient's body, suitable draping techniques, procedural explanation, preparation of equipment
Ability to prepare as practitioner - physical hygiene, mental state
Basic knowledge of Ingestive medicine- Ayurvedic/Western Herbal/mineral remedies; nutritional therapy; T.G.A. and poisons regulations
Knowledge of Panchakarma programmes, Ayurvedic nutrition, Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic counselling, Ayurvedic psychology and spirituality
Knowledge of assessing the outcomes of Panchakarma
Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome, postnatal depression, cancer, aids, alzheimer's, psoriasis, eczema, gout, rheumatism etc
Knowledge of the active principles of the main treatments used for each system/condition
Knowledge of the principles of formulation (including dosage and duration of treatment)
Knowledge of supplementary measures in the management of the conditions (dietary considerations, exercise)
Ability to apply methods of treating and managing disease process of each system using treatments
Knowledge of how to select best remedies/treatments within best current practice
Knowledge of how to correctly prepare and
dispense remedies/treatments
Knowledge of the role of nutrition in health and ability to determine the nutritional and dietary needs of a client/patient
Knowledge of the process of digestion, absorption and metabolism
Knowledge and understanding of components of food and food/dietary supplements
Knowledge of appropriate dietary treatment of common illnesses and diseases
Knowledge of types of diets (omnivore, vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, vegan, fruitarian, zen macrobiotic)
Knowledge of the therapeutic use of yoga postures, breathing techniques and relaxation therapies
Knowledge of the principles of meditation and the means of accessing a teacher
Knowledge of medical reports and diagnostic procedures
Knowledge of drug interactions
Knowledge of pathogenesis of the remedies/treatments administered
Ability to access reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal
Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans
Knowledge of the correct preparations required for specific treatment
Demonstrated ability to access and interpret up-to-date information
Interpersonal and questioning skills
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.