Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Massage principles include:
Relevant code of ethics or code of conduct documents/policies, regulations and guidelines national, state/territory or local massage therapy organisations and/or associations
Relevant national, state/territory or local government regulations and guidelines
Accepted preventative practices adopted by self or peers to minimise safety hazards and risks in the same or similar situations
Current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation
Individual responsibility to others regarding the proximity of the relationship and reasonable standard of care
Delivering the highest possible professional care to all clients with consideration for the medical, ethical, social and religious needs of the client
Principles of client confidentiality
Respect of boundary issues such as
compliance with industry code of ethics and practice in relation to:
informed consent
duty of care
draping
hygiene
the scope of client/therapist relationships
advertising
maintenance of equipment
social/cultural morals
equal treatment of all clients
psycho-emotional well being of clients
referral of clients who want treatment outside the scope of the available services
dealing appropriately with difficult clients


Major methods of treatment include:
Compressive techniques including digital ischemic pressure
Deep tissue massage techniques
Effleurage including cross over stroke, longitudinal stroking, gliding techniques
Friction techniques
Kneading
Manual lymphatic drainage
Mobilising techniques
Myofascial tension technique
Passive joint movement techniques
Passive soft tissue movement
Percussion techniques
Petrissage
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
Stretching techniques
Temperature therapy
Trigger point release techniques
Vibration


Other techniques in which the practitioner is trained such as:
Shiatsu
Tuina
Acupressure/TCM
Reflexology
Polarity therapy
Cranio sacral
Touch for Health
Magnetic Therapy
Chi Nei Tsang
Alexander technique
Trager approach
Restorative techniques (disability)
Sports therapies
Kinesiology
Hydrotherapy
Integration therapy
TENS
Aromatherapy


Other complementary therapies may include:
Therapies in which the practitioner is trained or informed


Massage assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Temperature taking through tactile methods
Pulse taking when required for massage technique
Palpation
Percussion
Range of motion tests
Orthopaedic tests
Assessment of the neural system
Observation of variations of posture
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements


Information on other complementary therapies may include:
Historical development
Current availability
Tools and techniques
Interactions between different therapies
When therapies may be used
Underpinning philosophy


Definition of allopathic and naturopathic approaches is:
Allopathic - the western medical model in which a disease or an abnormal condition is treated by creating an environment that is antagonistic to it, ie, a system that emphasises treatment of disease
Naturopathic - a system of health care that emphasises health maintenance, disease prevention, client education and client responsibility


Relationship between therapies may include:
Contra-indications to treatment
Effects of one treatment over or with another
Treatment according to stage of condition


Enquiries may require explanation of:
Duration of treatment
Expected treatment outcomes
Possible approaches to treatment
Estimated cost of treatment
Availability of health fund rebates
Work cover eligibility
Professional status of practitioner
Availability of home visits
After hours service
Provision for hospital visits


Appropriate information may include:
Confirmation of appointment date and time
Clinic location and directions
Cost of initial consultation
Payment options


Clinic's guidelines may include:
Procedures and guidelines
Purpose or mission statement
Code of ethics or practice
Level of competency and degree of supervision
Partnership/group decisions and agreed practice


Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:
WHS guidelines
Anti-discrimination legislation
Privacy Act
Infection control


Relevant documentation may include:
Nature of enquiry
Client contact details
Recording of incidents
Appointment details

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)
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
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
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:
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors


Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Oral questioning and discussion


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 unit:
HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health