Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:47 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:47 AM 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.
Perform western herbal medicine health assessment
Perform western herbal medicine health assessment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTHER604C
HLTHER604C
State Code
D8274
D8274
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
061901 - Naturopathy
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
240
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to observe the condition of the client and gather information relevant to the case, according to western herbal medicine framework
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine the scope of the assessment and client needs
- 1.1 Establish the client's purpose for consultation and identify the symptoms experienced
- 1.2 Determine client's eligibility for service using clinic/personal policies
- 1.3 Clearly explain services able to be provided and limits of available services
- 1.4 Explore and clarify client's expectation of the service/clinic
- 1.5 Identify factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment in consultation with the client and implement strategies to minimise the effects of these factors wherever possible
- 1.6 Define to the client, personal abilities, level of professional competence and parameters that determine practice at all times
- 1.7 Refer client to other health care providers where their needs are identified as beyond the scope of the services able to be provided, or if in the opinion of the practitioner their needs are best met by doing so
- 1.8 Identify and promote legal rights of the client
2. Obtain and record an accurate history of the client
- 2.1 Seek information required from the client for the history in respectful way with all enquiries asked in a purposeful, systematic and diplomatic manner
- 2.2 Collect and record accurate, relevant and well organised information in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals
- 2.3 Treat information as confidential and store securely
3. Manage the health assessment
- 3.1 Obtain informed client consent prior to conducting tests in accordance with legislative requirements
- 3.2 Pursue and investigate abnormal findings in a deliberate, logical and appropriate manner
- 3.3 Assess reliability of data obtained and establish appropriate clinical correlation with client complaints where possible
- 3.4 Use questions to clarify results and gain further information in a manner relevant to client needs and test results
- 3.5 Base any decision to carry out laboratory on the integration of previously obtained clinical data and history
- 3.6 Adhere to protocols required by the agency in ordering tests
- 3.7 Allow adequate time during consultation to gather critical information
- 3.8 Identify and minimise factors that may interfere with the information gathering process
- 3.9 Identify, establish and routinely observe essential requirements for the maintenance of clinical and practitioner hygiene
- 3.10 Anticipate potential sensitivities of the client, adapt approach accordingly to take these into account, and take steps to ensure client dignity is maintained at all times
- 3.11 Respond appropriately to client feedback and complaints
4. Make a comprehensive assessment of the client
- 4.1 Identify signs of disease/condition and further observations according to herbal medicine framework
- 4.2 Elicit specific details of signs and symptoms of the presenting complaint/s
- 4.3 Use other appropriate assessment techniques
- 4.4 Accurately record all information in a systematic manner in accordance with clinic guidelines
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.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to other parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professional may include:
Doctors
Social workers
Alternative and complementary health practitioners
Counsellors
Podiatrists, physiotherapists
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
physical
emotional
allergies
dietary picture
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural remedies - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug use
Family history
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Signs of disease/condition may refer to:
Precipitating factors
Relieving factors
Associated manifestations
Indications of stage and status of illness
Symptom qualities
Functional and pathological disturbances
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Taking temperature
Taking pulse and blood pressure
Palpation and auscultation
Percussion
External physical examination
Iridology techniques
Skin examination
Urine tests
Assessment of growth (height, weight, head circumference) and development
Overview of system by enquiring about the presence of previously diagnosed organic diseases and functional disorders
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Legislative requirement:
All procedures must be conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements
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.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to other parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professional may include:
Doctors
Social workers
Alternative and complementary health practitioners
Counsellors
Podiatrists, physiotherapists
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
physical
emotional
allergies
dietary picture
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural remedies - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug use
Family history
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Signs of disease/condition may refer to:
Precipitating factors
Relieving factors
Associated manifestations
Indications of stage and status of illness
Symptom qualities
Functional and pathological disturbances
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Taking temperature
Taking pulse and blood pressure
Palpation and auscultation
Percussion
External physical examination
Iridology techniques
Skin examination
Urine tests
Assessment of growth (height, weight, head circumference) and development
Overview of system by enquiring about the presence of previously diagnosed organic diseases and functional disorders
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Legislative requirement:
All procedures must be conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements
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 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 a range of workplace situations
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application
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:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
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
Resources essential for assessment include:
an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
skilled assessors
relevant assessment instruments
appropriate assessment environment
Method of assessment
Observation of performance
Examples of assessment notes
Simulated assignments
Written or verbal short answer tests
Practical demonstrations and exercises
Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment
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 in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
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 a range of workplace situations
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application
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:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
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
Resources essential for assessment include:
an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
skilled assessors
relevant assessment instruments
appropriate assessment environment
Method of assessment
Observation of performance
Examples of assessment notes
Simulated assignments
Written or verbal short answer tests
Practical demonstrations and exercises
Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment
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 in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5033 | HLTHER4A | Perform health Western Herbal Medicine assessment | Unit of competency |
| C9280 | HLTHER604B | Perform western herbal medicine health assessment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J112 | HLT60112 | Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine | Qualification |