Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:12 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:12 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.
Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent
Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPOP404C
HLTPOP404C
State Code
D8456
D8456
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
061399 - Public Health, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis unit provides knowledge and skills in the treatment and management of nicotine dependence, including (singly or in combination) behavioural and pharmacological interventions such as: brief advice and counselling; intensive support; and provision of advice on use of appropriate non-prescription and prescription pharmacotherapies
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess needs of clients who are nicotine dependent
- 1.1 Elicit client's history particularly relevant to smoking, in accordance with organisation guidelines and ethical considerations
- 1.2 Assess nicotine dependence using a validated method
- 1.3 Determine smoking cessation treatment based on assessment of an individual's level of nicotine dependence, stage of change and client history
- 1.4 Professionally and accurately maintain client records
- 1.5 Maintain client confidentiality
2. Implement interventions
- 2.1 Match intervention to client's personal circumstances including relevant health issues, level of dependence and behavioural triggers
- 2.2 Conduct brief intervention with client according to client needs
- 2.3 Use motivational interviewing techniques to increase client's motivation to quit
- 2.4 Provide intensive counselling as per individual need
- 2.5 Refer clients to other health professional or agency as appropriate
3. Assist clients in accessing pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation
- 3.1 Provide client with information about pharmacotherapies, their benefits and contraindications
- 3.2 Determine suitability of pharmacotherapies for client
- 3.3 Provide referral to a medical practitioner for pharmacotherapies as appropriate
- 3.4 Determine options for optimal combination of smoking cessation therapies with client if appropriate
4. Monitor client's progress
- 4.1 Arrange and conduct client follow up
- 4.2 Assess client's progress against goals set and interventions conducted and then provide feedback
- 4.3 Assess risk of relapse
- 4.4 Provide behavioural interventions and/or pharmacological advice
- 4.5 Refer clients to other health professional or agency as appropriate
5. Ensure high standards of professionalism and continuing professional development
- 5.1 Demonstrate professional standard of conduct at all times
- 5.2 Maintain knowledge of evidence base relating to smoking cessation therapies
- 5.3 Undertake qualitative and quantitative assessment of work
- 5.4 Appraise developments in smoking cessation practices and apply to improve own practice
- 5.5 Maintain ongoing personal professional development and training in smoking cessation
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.
Historical, social, political and economic context includes:
The statutory framework within which work takes place in the health and community sector
The historical context of work e.g. changing knowledge about best practice in treating nicotine dependence; changing approaches to working with clients; changing social context of work e.g. changing government and societal views of tobacco use and approaches to working with clients
The political context e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting treatment for nicotine dependence
The economic context e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects tobacco use and the subsequent impact on client needs
Client history relevant to smoking includes:
State of health
Behavioural factors
Level of nicotine dependence
Smoking cessation interventions may include:
Brief interventions:
The 'Five A's':
Ask (about smoking)
Advise (all smokers to quit)
Assess (level of dependence and readiness to quit)
Assist (provide advice and support)
Arrange (follow up)
Motivational interviewing techniques
Exploring 'readiness to quit' using the trans-theoretical model of behaviour change:
those not ready to quit
those thinking about quitting
those ready to quit
those who have already quit
those who have relapsed
Intensive counselling
May include phone or face to face interventions
May be individual or group interventions
Pharmacotherapy includes:
Nicotine replacement therapies (non-prescription)
Bupropion slow-release, 'Zyban' (prescription only)
A commitment to access and equity must be demonstrated by:
A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social, etc.
Validated methods for assessing nicotine dependence include:
Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence
TTFC + CPD (time to first cigarette plus cigarettes per day)
CO monitor
Social, political and economic context of tobacco smoking may include reference to:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complementary Action Plan 2003-2009
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.
Historical, social, political and economic context includes:
The statutory framework within which work takes place in the health and community sector
The historical context of work e.g. changing knowledge about best practice in treating nicotine dependence; changing approaches to working with clients; changing social context of work e.g. changing government and societal views of tobacco use and approaches to working with clients
The political context e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting treatment for nicotine dependence
The economic context e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects tobacco use and the subsequent impact on client needs
Client history relevant to smoking includes:
State of health
Behavioural factors
Level of nicotine dependence
Smoking cessation interventions may include:
Brief interventions:
The 'Five A's':
Ask (about smoking)
Advise (all smokers to quit)
Assess (level of dependence and readiness to quit)
Assist (provide advice and support)
Arrange (follow up)
Motivational interviewing techniques
Exploring 'readiness to quit' using the trans-theoretical model of behaviour change:
those not ready to quit
those thinking about quitting
those ready to quit
those who have already quit
those who have relapsed
Intensive counselling
May include phone or face to face interventions
May be individual or group interventions
Pharmacotherapy includes:
Nicotine replacement therapies (non-prescription)
Bupropion slow-release, 'Zyban' (prescription only)
A commitment to access and equity must be demonstrated by:
A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social, etc.
Validated methods for assessing nicotine dependence include:
Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence
TTFC + CPD (time to first cigarette plus cigarettes per day)
CO monitor
Social, political and economic context of tobacco smoking may include reference to:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complementary Action Plan 2003-2009
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
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:
This unit may be assessed on the job or through simulation
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace
Access is required to equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Observation
Interview and questioning
Simulation
Workplace documentation of practice
Portfolio
Testimonial
Related units:
This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with related unit:
HLTPOP403C Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation
It is also recommended that this unit be undertaken in conjunction with:
HLTPOP402C Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change
This unit may also be assessed in conjunction with:
CHCCS403B Provide brief intervention
CHCGROUP403D Plan and conduct group activities
CHCTC302A Provide client-centred telephone counselling
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
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:
This unit may be assessed on the job or through simulation
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace
Access is required to equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Observation
Interview and questioning
Simulation
Workplace documentation of practice
Portfolio
Testimonial
Related units:
This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with related unit:
HLTPOP403C Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation
It is also recommended that this unit be undertaken in conjunction with:
HLTPOP402C Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change
This unit may also be assessed in conjunction with:
CHCCS403B Provide brief intervention
CHCGROUP403D Plan and conduct group activities
CHCTC302A Provide client-centred telephone counselling
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9460 | HLTPOP404B | Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ48 | HLTPOP016 | Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J582 | HLT40113 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J584 | HLT50113 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J581 | HLT30113 | Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J580 | HLT20113 | Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J583 | HLT40213 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| J585 | HLT50213 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| J086 | HLT42312 | Certificate IV in Population Health | Qualification |
| J062 | HLT32212 | Certificate III in Population Health | Qualification |