Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:26 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:26 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.
Construct, adapt and install pressure management systems
Construct, adapt and install pressure management systems
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTART409C
HLTART409C
State Code
WD069
WD069
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2014
Field of Education
039903 - Biomedical Engineering
Original Release Date
05/08/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required in technical support of selection and to install and construct support surfaces for the management of soft tissue integrity
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine support surface requirements
- 1.1 Consider equipment prescription or instructions from relevant health professionals and confirm that all required technical information has been provided
- 1.2 Discuss and agree upon requirements with client and relevant health professional
2. Select an appropriate support surface
- 2.1 Select custom support system to meet client requirements in consultation with relevant health professionals
- 2.2 Consider technical aspects of the seating system in terms of applicability for effectiveness of pressure management and compliance with applicable guidelines
- 2.3 Document specifications for construction and selection in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
3. Manufacture support system
- 3.1 Select appropriate materials
- 3.2 Manufacture and/or modify support system in accordance with WHS requirements, relevant standards and organisation procedures
4. Install pressure cushion and/or pressure management components in a wheelchair
- 4.1 Install seating system in accordance with WHS requirements, relevant standards and organisation procedures
- 4.2 Assist with instructing clients and relevant others in the correct servicing and maintenance of the pressure management system
5. Evaluate pressure management support systems
- 5.1 Measure soft tissue interface pressures at support surfaces
- 5.2 Establish, maintain and store client files in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
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.
Support surfacemay include:
Commercially available wheelchair pressure cushions, backrests and postural control devices
Custom made wheelchair pressure cushions, backrests and postural control devices
Commercially available mattresses
Custom made mattresses
Commercially available positioning systems
Custom made positioning systems
Relevant health professionals include:
Rehabilitation engineer
Medical practitioner
Occupational therapist
Physiotherapist
Nurse
Orthotist
Equipment prescription or instructionsmay include:
Technical history of previous devices
Technical assessments
Technical requirements to meet assessed therapy goals
Basic measurements of seating system components
Technical advice may include:
Selection of materials for incontinence
Support characteristics
Support cover characteristics
Tolerance for error in manufacture
Service life of the support system
Support system cost benefit
Available manufacturing resources
Support system availability
Cast of custom modifications considered
Assessment may include:
Measurement of interface pressures
Measurement of pressure distribution
Discussion with relevant health professionals
Dimensional requirements for support surfaces
Manufacture may include:
Adaptation of commercially available therapeutic components for use as support surfaces
Design and manufacture of unique components or systems for support surfaces to maintain soft tissue integrity and/or devices for use on the wheelchair, positioning system or other support surface
Fabrication of foam polymer support surfaces
Vacuum forming expanded thermoplastic elastomers
Application of incontinence proofing barriers
Modification processes may include:
Use of hand tools, power tools and machinery
Sewing
Electric knife
Electric or pneumatic grinder
Grinding/shaping foam
Fabrication of covers by sewing or heat sealing
Support surfaces may include:
Postural support components attached to a wheelchair, wheelchair seat or backrest including:
lateral thoracic supports,
hip blocks
thigh adductor blocks
pommels
lumbar supports
head supports
Seat cushions and backrests including:
alternating pressure
low air loss
foam polymer
air
gel
Positioning systems
Positional seating components
Mattresses including:
alternating pressure
low air loss
foam
Head supports
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.
Support surfacemay include:
Commercially available wheelchair pressure cushions, backrests and postural control devices
Custom made wheelchair pressure cushions, backrests and postural control devices
Commercially available mattresses
Custom made mattresses
Commercially available positioning systems
Custom made positioning systems
Relevant health professionals include:
Rehabilitation engineer
Medical practitioner
Occupational therapist
Physiotherapist
Nurse
Orthotist
Equipment prescription or instructionsmay include:
Technical history of previous devices
Technical assessments
Technical requirements to meet assessed therapy goals
Basic measurements of seating system components
Technical advice may include:
Selection of materials for incontinence
Support characteristics
Support cover characteristics
Tolerance for error in manufacture
Service life of the support system
Support system cost benefit
Available manufacturing resources
Support system availability
Cast of custom modifications considered
Assessment may include:
Measurement of interface pressures
Measurement of pressure distribution
Discussion with relevant health professionals
Dimensional requirements for support surfaces
Manufacture may include:
Adaptation of commercially available therapeutic components for use as support surfaces
Design and manufacture of unique components or systems for support surfaces to maintain soft tissue integrity and/or devices for use on the wheelchair, positioning system or other support surface
Fabrication of foam polymer support surfaces
Vacuum forming expanded thermoplastic elastomers
Application of incontinence proofing barriers
Modification processes may include:
Use of hand tools, power tools and machinery
Sewing
Electric knife
Electric or pneumatic grinder
Grinding/shaping foam
Fabrication of covers by sewing or heat sealing
Support surfaces may include:
Postural support components attached to a wheelchair, wheelchair seat or backrest including:
lateral thoracic supports,
hip blocks
thigh adductor blocks
pommels
lumbar supports
head supports
Seat cushions and backrests including:
alternating pressure
low air loss
foam polymer
air
gel
Positioning systems
Positional seating components
Mattresses including:
alternating pressure
low air loss
foam
Head supports
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 workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
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
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 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:
access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
access to relevant health professionals
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning
Role play simulation
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency unit:
HLTART401B Work effectively in the rehabilitation environment
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 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
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 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:
access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
access to relevant health professionals
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning
Role play simulation
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency unit:
HLTART401B Work effectively in the rehabilitation environment
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5789 | HLTART409B | Construct, adapt and install pressure management systems | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J097 | HLT43612 | Certificate IV in Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology | Qualification |